Ventura County Family Court

Family law cases in Ventura County are filed with the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura. The court handles dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody, child support, spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders, and parentage actions for residents throughout the county. Individuals seeking case information can contact the court at (805) 289-8732 or visit one of the courthouse locations in Ventura. The court website at ventura.courts.ca.gov/family.html provides resources on filing procedures, court locations, and self-help services. People can search for basic case information or visit the courthouse to review documents in person, following California's rules on family court record access.

Court Locations and Operations

The Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, operates family law departments at the main courthouse located at 800 South Victoria Avenue in Ventura. This facility serves as the primary location for family law filings and hearings throughout the county. The court handles thousands of family law cases each year including divorce, custody disputes, support modifications, and restraining order requests. You can reach the family law division at (805) 289-8732 for general information about filing requirements and court procedures.

Court staff at the clerk's office process new filings and maintain existing case files. When you file papers, the clerk stamps them with the filing date and assigns a case number if it is a new case. That filing date sets important deadlines for service, response, and other case events. Clerks can answer procedural questions about what forms you need or where to find case information. They cannot give legal advice about your specific situation or help you fill out forms. This limitation applies to all court staff in California.

Family law hearings are scheduled at the Ventura courthouse. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your hearing time to allow for security screening and locating the correct courtroom. Bring photo ID and copies of all documents filed in your case. Judges expect professional behavior in the courtroom whether you have an attorney or represent yourself. Dress appropriately and address the court respectfully. Some hearings last only a few minutes while others may take longer depending on the issues and whether both parties appear.

The court operates Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Specific departments may have different hours or close for lunch. Check the court website or call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.

Finding Case Records

Ventura County Superior Court does not currently provide online public access to detailed family law case records. You must contact the court or visit in person to search for case information. Call the clerk's office at (805) 289-8732 during business hours. Provide the case number or names of both parties. Staff can confirm whether a case exists and provide basic public information like filing dates and upcoming hearings.

Visit the courthouse at 800 South Victoria Avenue in Ventura to review case files in person. Bring government-issued photo identification. Ask at the clerk's counter about viewing a specific case. Staff will direct you to public access terminals or the appropriate department. Keep in mind that California Rules of Court limit access to family law records. You may see only limited information unless you are a party to the case, an attorney of record, or have a court order authorizing broader access.

California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 restricts remote access to family law case documents statewide. This rule applies to dissolution, custody, support, and domestic violence cases. Even if Ventura County adds online case search features in the future, full family law documents will remain courthouse-only access. The rule exists to protect privacy in sensitive family matters. Registers of actions and calendars may be viewable remotely. Actual filed documents require an in-person visit to the courthouse.

Copies of court documents are available from the clerk's office. Standard copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies include an official court seal and cost $40 for certification plus the per-page copy fee. You need certified copies for official purposes like submitting to another court or government agency. Regular copies are fine for your own records. Request copies at the clerk's counter during business hours. Large copy requests may take time to process, so ask about turnaround time when you make the request.

How to File a Case

Filing a new family law case starts with obtaining and completing the required court forms. California uses standardized Judicial Council forms for family law cases. Forms are available free from the California Courts website or at the courthouse. For divorce, you need form FL-100 (Petition for Dissolution of Marriage) plus additional forms depending on your circumstances. Download forms, review the instructions, and complete them carefully before going to the courthouse. Errors on forms can delay your case or result in rejection by the clerk.

Take your completed forms to the clerk's office at 800 South Victoria Avenue in Ventura. The filing fee for the first paper is $435. Bring payment as a check, money order, or cash. Some courthouses accept credit cards but call ahead to verify payment options. If you cannot afford the fee, file form FW-001 to request a fee waiver. Attach proof of income such as recent pay stubs or documentation of public benefits. The court reviews fee waiver applications and approves them based on income guidelines tied to federal poverty levels.

After filing, you must serve the other party with copies of all filed documents. Service is the legal process of officially delivering papers so the other person receives notice of the case. You cannot serve papers yourself in most family law cases. Use a registered process server, the sheriff's office, or in limited situations service by mail. The person who serves papers must complete a proof of service form. File that proof with the court to show service was completed correctly. Your case cannot proceed until proof of service is filed with the court.

Response deadlines are firm. The served party has 30 days after service to file a response. Missing this deadline can result in a default judgment. If you were served with family law papers, do not wait until the last day to respond. Visit the courthouse as soon as possible to file your response and avoid default.

Self-Help and Legal Aid

Ventura County Superior Court provides self-help resources for people representing themselves in family law cases. Court staff can answer basic procedural questions, direct you to the correct forms, and explain filing requirements. Call (805) 289-8732 or visit the clerk's office for procedural information. Remember that court staff cannot provide legal advice, help you complete forms, or suggest legal strategies. Those services require an attorney.

The California Courts website offers comprehensive self-help materials including form instructions, procedure guides, and informational videos. These resources are free and available 24 hours a day. Many are available in Spanish and other languages. The family law section of the California Courts website is an excellent starting point if you are handling a case yourself and need to understand court processes.

Ventura County Legal Aid provides free legal services to eligible low-income residents. Services include advice, help with paperwork, and court representation in family law matters. Call (805) 650-7592 to speak with intake staff who will determine if you qualify based on income and the type of legal issue. If you qualify, services depend on your specific situation and the organization's current capacity. Wait times can be significant due to high demand for free legal services.

Private attorneys are available if you do not qualify for free legal aid or prefer to hire your own lawyer. Many attorneys offer initial consultations at reduced fees. During a consultation, you can explain your situation and get advice on your legal options and next steps. The State Bar of California operates a lawyer referral service at 1-866-442-2529. They will connect you with local attorneys who handle family law cases in Ventura County. Initial consultation fees are typically lower than the attorney's regular hourly rate.

Note: Ventura County Bar Association also offers lawyer referral services and legal education programs.

Filing Fees and Court Costs

Ventura County uses California's statewide fee schedule for court filings. The first filing in a family law case costs $435 whether you file a petition or a response. Additional motions during the case cost $60 per filing. Some documents carry no filing fee including income and expense declarations, proofs of service, and certain types of requests for orders. If you are unsure whether a fee applies to a specific document, ask the clerk before submitting it.

Fee waivers help people who cannot afford court fees. File form FW-001 along with documentation showing your income or receipt of public benefits. The court reviews applications and supporting documents. If approved based on income limits tied to federal poverty guidelines, you can file papers without paying fees. Fee waivers cover court filing fees but not other costs like process servers, certified copies, or attorney fees. You must pay those separately even with an approved fee waiver.

Document copies are available from the clerk's office. Standard copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost an additional $40 for the certification which includes an official seal and clerk's signature. Certified copies are required for official purposes such as submitting to government agencies or other courts. Regular copies are sufficient for your personal files. Payment is typically due when you pick up copies or at the time of request for large orders.

Major Cities in Ventura County

Ventura County includes several major cities. Residents file family law cases at the Ventura County Superior Court regardless of which city they live in. Select a city for local resources and legal aid information.

Nearby Counties

Ventura County borders several other counties in Southern California. Family law cases must be filed in the county where you or the other party resides. Verify jurisdiction if you live near a county border.