Tehama County Family Court

Family law proceedings in Tehama County are processed through the Superior Court located in Red Bluff. The court manages dissolution of marriage cases, legal separation actions, child custody disputes, child and spousal support matters, domestic violence restraining orders, and parentage actions for residents of Tehama County. People seeking to search for case records can call the clerk's office to request information about specific cases or visit the courthouse in person to view documents. The court combines civil and family law functions in one division, so staff at the civil clerk's counter can help with family law filing questions and provide forms for common case types.

Superior Court Operations

The Superior Court of California, County of Tehama, operates from a single courthouse location at 1740 Walnut Street in Red Bluff. This facility handles all family law matters for the county. Court staff provide assistance with basic procedural questions at the clerk's counter during business hours. You can reach the court by phone at (530) 527-6441 if you need general information or want to check on filing requirements before visiting in person.

Family law cases share court resources with civil cases in Tehama County. The same clerk's office processes both case types. When you file papers, the clerk stamps them and assigns a case number. The filing date matters for many deadlines in family law, so make sure you understand when documents need to be submitted. Court staff cannot give legal advice but can direct you to the right forms and explain basic court procedures.

Hearings take place at the Red Bluff courthouse. Judges review case files and hear testimony during scheduled court sessions. You must appear on time for any hearing date listed in your case. Bring copies of all filed documents with you. The courthouse requires security screening at the entrance. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early to go through security and find the correct courtroom.

The court website at www.tehama.courts.ca.gov/divisions/civil-family-law provides information on court locations, hours, and general procedures. Check the site for any updates on court closures or modified hours before planning a visit.

Accessing Court Records

Tehama County does not offer remote online access to family court records. You must contact the court directly or visit in person to search for case information. Call the clerk's office at (530) 527-6441 to request details about a specific case. Staff can confirm whether a case exists and provide basic information like filing dates and upcoming hearing dates over the phone for public cases.

In-person record viewing is available at the courthouse during regular business hours. Bring photo identification when you visit. The clerk can direct you to public access terminals or file rooms where you can review case files. Family law records have restricted access under California Rules of Court. You can see registers of actions and case indexes. Full documents may require a court order if the case involves confidential matters.

Most family law cases fall under courthouse-only access rules per California Rules of Court Rule 2.503. This means dissolution, custody, support, and domestic violence cases cannot be accessed remotely even if the court had an online system. The rules exist to protect privacy in sensitive family matters. Only parties to the case, their attorneys, and certain authorized government agencies get full access to case documents without a court order.

If you need copies of documents from a case, ask the clerk about copy fees. Standard copies cost 50 cents per page in most California courts. Certified copies, which include an official seal and signature, cost an additional $40 regardless of how many pages you copy. You need certified copies for official purposes like submitting to another court or government agency. Regular copies work fine for your own records.

Filing Family Law Cases

Starting a new case requires completing court forms and paying a filing fee. Family law forms are available from the California Courts website or at the courthouse. The petition (form FL-100 for divorce) starts most family law cases. You also need summons forms and other documents depending on your situation. The court clerk can tell you which forms are required but cannot help you fill them out or tell you what to write.

The filing fee for the first paper in a family law case is $435. This covers the initial petition or response. If you cannot pay the fee, you may qualify for a fee waiver. Complete form FW-001 to request a waiver based on low income or receipt of public benefits. Include proof of income like recent pay stubs or benefit statements. The court reviews fee waiver applications and grants them if you meet income guidelines.

After filing your case, you must serve the other party with copies of all documents you filed. California law requires proper service so the other person knows about the case and can respond. You cannot serve papers yourself in most family law cases. Hire a process server, use the sheriff's office, or arrange service by mail if allowed. The person who serves papers must complete a proof of service form. File the proof of service with the court to show service was completed properly.

Getting Help with Forms and Procedures

Tehama County's small court system means self-help resources differ from larger counties. The court does not operate a dedicated family law facilitator office or full-time self-help center. However, court staff can provide basic procedural information and direct you to the correct forms. They cannot give legal advice about your specific situation or tell you what arguments to make in court.

California Courts provides many family law forms and instructions online at no cost. Visit the statewide courts website to download forms you need. Instructions explain what each form is for and provide guidance on completing it. Many forms include line-by-line instructions. Read all instructions carefully before filling out forms to avoid mistakes that could delay your case.

If you need legal advice or help preparing your case, consider contacting Legal Services of Northern California. LSNC provides free legal help to eligible low-income residents in family law matters. Call (916) 551-2150 to speak with intake staff who can determine if you qualify. The Redding office serves counties in the northern part of the state including Tehama County.

You can also consult with a private attorney. Many attorneys offer reduced-fee initial consultations where you can discuss your case and get advice on next steps. The State Bar of California operates a lawyer referral service at 1-866-442-2529. This service connects you with local attorneys who handle family law cases. The initial consultation typically costs less than the attorney's regular hourly rate.

Court Fees

Standard family law filing fees apply in Tehama County. The first filing costs $435. Responses to petitions also cost $435 unless you qualify for a fee waiver. Additional motions during a case typically cost $60 per filing. Some documents have no fee, such as income and expense declarations or proofs of service. Ask the clerk if you are unsure whether a specific document requires a fee.

Copy fees are charged when you request copies of court documents. Expect to pay 50 cents per page for standard copies. Certified copies add a $40 certification fee on top of the per-page charge. You can get copies of documents you filed or documents filed by other parties in your case. The clerk processes copy requests during business hours. Some requests can be completed while you wait. Large copy jobs may take longer.

Process server fees are separate from court costs. Professional process servers typically charge between $50 and $150 per service depending on location and difficulty. The Tehama County Sheriff's Office can also serve papers, usually at lower cost than private servers. Budget for service fees when planning to file a case since proper service is required to proceed.

Nearby Counties

Tehama County borders several other counties in Northern California. Family law cases must be filed in the county where you or your spouse reside. If you live near a county border, verify which county has jurisdiction.