Search Trinity County Family Court Records

Trinity County processes family court cases through the Superior Court in Weaverville. The court handles all family law matters for county residents including dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody modifications, child and spousal support orders, domestic violence protective orders, and parentage determinations. Individuals looking for case information can contact the court clerk at (530) 623-1208 or visit the courthouse to request records. The court's family law division page at www.trinity.courts.ca.gov/divisions/family-law provides basic information about filing requirements and court locations for people handling family law matters in one of California's smallest and most rural counties.

Trinity County Superior Court

The Superior Court of California, County of Trinity, operates from one courthouse in Weaverville at 11 Court Street. This historic courthouse serves all court functions for the county including family law cases. As one of California's smallest counties by population, Trinity County maintains a small court staff. The clerk's office handles family law filings along with all other case types. Court hours are Monday through Friday, typically 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but call ahead at (530) 623-1208 to confirm hours before traveling to the courthouse.

Family law cases in Trinity County follow the same legal procedures as larger California counties. The difference lies in the scale of operations. With fewer staff and resources, processing times may vary. Court staff can answer basic procedural questions when you call or visit. They will direct you to the appropriate forms for your case type. However, they cannot provide legal advice or help you complete forms. That restriction applies statewide to all court staff in California.

Judges hear family law matters at the Weaverville courthouse. The court may schedule multiple case types on the same calendar due to the low volume of filings compared to urban counties. When you receive a hearing date, write it down and make sure you can attend. Missing a hearing can result in default judgments or dismissal of your case. Bring all required documents and any evidence you need to present. The court expects you to follow proper courtroom procedures even if you represent yourself.

Finding Case Information

Trinity County does not provide online access to court records. You must contact the court directly to search for case information. Call the clerk's office at (530) 623-1208 during business hours. Staff can look up cases by party name or case number if you provide that information. They will tell you basic details like whether a case exists, when it was filed, and upcoming hearing dates for public record cases.

Visit the courthouse in person to review case files. The clerk's office is located at 11 Court Street in Weaverville. Bring government-issued photo identification. Ask at the counter about viewing a specific case. Staff will direct you to where you can review the file. Remember that family law cases have special privacy rules under California law. You may see limited information unless you are a party to the case or have a court order authorizing access.

California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 restricts remote access to family law case records. Even if Trinity County develops online case access in the future, family law documents will remain available only at the courthouse. This applies to dissolution, custody, support, and domestic violence cases. The rules protect privacy in sensitive family matters. Only registers of actions and calendars can be viewed remotely. Full documents require in-person review at the courthouse.

Certified copies of court documents are available from the clerk's office. These copies include an official court seal and certification stamp. You need certified copies for official purposes like submitting to another court or government agency. The certification fee is typically $40 plus 50 cents per page copied. Regular uncertified copies cost just the per-page fee. Request copies in person at the clerk's counter.

Starting a Family Law Case

Filing a family law case in Trinity County begins with completing the required forms. Forms are available free online from the California Courts website at www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm. For a divorce, you need form FL-100 (Petition for Dissolution). Other case types require different forms. Download the forms, read the instructions, and fill them out completely before going to the courthouse.

Take your completed forms to the clerk's office in Weaverville. The filing fee for the first paper is $435. Bring payment in the form of cash, check, or money order. Some California courts accept credit cards but call ahead to confirm payment options. If you cannot afford the fee, request a fee waiver using form FW-001. Include proof of income or public benefits with your fee waiver application. The court will review it and decide whether to grant the waiver based on income guidelines.

After filing, you must serve the other party with copies of your filed documents. Service means officially delivering papers so the other person receives notice of the case. You cannot serve papers yourself. Hire a professional process server or use the sheriff's office. In some cases, service by mail is allowed but only in specific circumstances. The person who serves papers must complete a proof of service form. File that form with the court to show proper service was completed. The case cannot proceed until proof of service is on file.

Help with Court Forms

Trinity County's small size means limited local self-help resources. The court does not staff a dedicated family law facilitator. Court clerks can provide basic information about court processes and direct you to the right forms. They will answer questions like what forms to file or where to find case information. But they cannot tell you how to fill out forms, what to say in court, or give advice about your case. Those are legal services only an attorney can provide.

The California Courts website offers extensive self-help resources. You can find form instructions, guides to court procedures, and videos explaining family law processes. These materials are free and available 24 hours a day. Many resources are available in Spanish and other languages. Start at the family law section of the California Courts website if you need to understand court requirements before filing.

Legal Services of Northern California provides free legal help to low-income residents in Trinity County. LSNC handles family law cases involving custody, support, and domestic violence. Call (916) 551-2150 to speak with intake staff. They will ask about your income and the type of legal issue you face. If you qualify, LSNC may provide advice, help with paperwork, or representation in court. Services depend on your situation and the organization's current capacity.

Private attorneys are another option if you need legal help and do not qualify for free services. Many lawyers offer initial consultations at reduced rates. You can meet with an attorney, explain your situation, and get advice on your options. The State Bar of California runs a lawyer referral service at 1-866-442-2529. They will connect you with an attorney in your area who handles family law cases. Expect to pay for an initial consultation, but the cost is usually less than the attorney's regular hourly fee.

Filing Fees and Costs

Trinity County uses the statewide fee schedule for family law cases. The first filing costs $435 whether you file a petition or a response. Additional motions filed during the case cost $60 each. Some documents carry no filing fee. Examples include income and expense declarations, proofs of service, and certain requests for orders. If you are unsure whether a document requires a fee, ask the clerk before submitting it.

Fee waivers are available for those who cannot afford filing fees. Complete form FW-001 and attach documentation showing your income or receipt of public benefits. The court reviews the application and supporting documents. If approved, you can file papers without paying fees. Fee waivers do not cover all costs. You still need to pay for process servers and certified copies. The waiver applies only to court filing fees.

Copy costs apply when you request documents from the court. Standard copies are 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost an additional $40 for the certification regardless of page count. Service of process fees vary depending on who serves the papers. Professional process servers typically charge $50 to $150 per service. The Trinity County Sheriff may offer service at lower cost. Ask about fees when arranging for service.

Note: Budget for all case costs before filing, not just the initial filing fee.

Nearby Counties

Trinity County is located in Northern California and borders several other counties. You must file family law cases in the county where you or the other party resides. Check jurisdiction carefully if you live near a county line.