Find Sutter County Family Court Records

The Superior Court of Sutter County processes all family law cases for county residents. Family law matters include divorce, legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders, and parentage actions. The courthouse in Yuba City serves the entire county. Records are public unless sealed by a judge for privacy or safety. You can request case information and document copies through the clerk's office. The court uses the Odyssey case management system which is common in California courts. Self-help services assist people representing themselves without lawyers. These services provide help with forms, general procedure information, and workshops on family law topics.

Sutter Superior Court

The courthouse is at 1175 Civic Center Boulevard in Yuba City. All Sutter County family law cases are filed and heard here. The clerk's office opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The office may close for lunch so call (530) 822-3340 ahead to confirm hours. Security screening is required to enter the courthouse. Bring valid photo ID. Prohibited items cannot be brought inside so leave them at home or in your car.

Family law judges hear cases in designated courtrooms. Your case is assigned to a specific department when filed. The assignment shows on your court papers. Each department may have local rules about procedures and filing deadlines. Check the court website at www.sutter.courts.ca.gov/divisions/civil/family-law for information about family law services and department rules.

Sutter County is in Northern California's Sacramento Valley. Yuba City is the county seat and largest community. The courthouse serves all residents throughout the county. Parking is available near the courthouse. Public transit may be limited in this area so plan transportation accordingly if visiting. Court staff can answer questions about procedures but cannot provide legal advice about your case.

Note: The court uses the Odyssey system which connects with other California courts using the same platform.

Filing Your Family Law Case

Get the correct forms before filing. California uses standard Judicial Council forms for all family law cases. Download them from the California Courts website or pick them up at the courthouse. The clerk or self-help center can tell you which forms you need. Dissolution cases begin with form FL-100. Other case types use different starting forms. Fill out all required fields completely before taking forms to the clerk.

Bring your completed forms to the clerk's office. The filing fee is $435 for the first paper filed. This includes petitions and responses. Later motions cost $60 each. Some documents like declarations have no separate fee. Ask the clerk if you are unsure about fees. If you cannot afford the fee, request a fee waiver using form FW-001. The court decides waivers based on income and expenses. Include proof of income with your waiver application.

Service on the other party is mandatory after filing. You cannot serve papers yourself in family law cases. Someone over 18 who is not a party must serve the documents. This can be a friend, relative, process server, or the sheriff. After service, the server fills out a proof of service form. File the proof of service with the court. The case cannot proceed until proper service is completed and proof is filed.

Self-Help Services and Legal Aid

Sutter County provides self-help services at the courthouse. Staff can help with forms and answer questions about court procedures. They cannot give legal advice about what you should do in your case. They can explain how to fill out forms and what steps come next in the process. Call (530) 822-3340 for information about available services and hours. Some help may be available by appointment.

The self-help center has computers for public use. You can access online forms and print them. Staff can assist while you work on your documents. Services are available in English and Spanish in most cases. Workshops on family law topics may be offered periodically. Check with the court about current workshop schedules and registration requirements.

Legal Services of Northern California serves Sutter County residents who qualify based on income. Call (916) 551-2150 for intake. They provide free legal help in family law cases including divorce, custody, and domestic violence matters. Income limits determine eligibility. Priority goes to cases involving domestic violence and urgent child safety issues. Wait times exist for other cases due to demand. Apply early if you think you may qualify for services.

Accessing Court Records

Court records are kept at the clerk's office. You need a case number to request files. Parties in a case can view their own files. Other people may need court permission to see certain documents. Some family law records are confidential by law. The clerk determines what you can access based on the document type and your relationship to the case. Always bring photo ID when requesting records.

Copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies add a $40 fee on top of copy charges. Certification is required when submitting documents to another court or government agency. Plain copies work for personal use. Small copy requests may be filled while you wait. Larger requests take more time. The clerk tells you when to return for copies.

Sutter County does not have a public online portal for case searches. You must contact the courthouse for case information. Call the clerk's office at (530) 822-3340 for basic case status and information. For detailed information or document copies, visit in person during business hours. You can also mail requests. Include your case number, list of documents needed, payment by check or money order, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing time for mail requests is typically one to two weeks.

Court Fees and Costs

The initial filing fee is $435. This covers the first paper whether you file a petition or response. Additional motions filed later cost $60 each. Some documents have no filing fee. Ask the clerk when filing if you are unsure about fees for specific documents. Payment can be made by cash, check, or money order. Some locations accept debit or credit cards but call ahead to verify payment options.

Service of process has separate costs from court fees. Process servers typically charge $75 to $150 per service. The sheriff charges less but service may take longer. Costs vary based on distance and difficulty locating the person. Budget for these expenses when planning to file a case. Fee waivers cover court filing fees only, not service costs or attorney fees.

Fee waivers are available if you cannot afford court costs. Form FW-001 is the application. Submit it when you file your first papers. The court looks at your income, expenses, and family size to decide if you qualify. A full waiver eliminates covered fees. A partial waiver reduces them. A denied waiver means you must pay the full amount. You can reapply if your financial situation changes.

Note: Some fee waiver denials can be appealed if you believe the decision was incorrect.

Communities in Sutter County

Sutter County has no cities with population over 100,000. All residents file family law cases at the Yuba City courthouse.

Nearby Counties

Jurisdiction is based on residence. Check if you live near county lines.