Yolo County Family Court Records

Yolo County processes family law matters through the Superior Court located in Woodland. The court handles dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody, child support, spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders, and parentage cases for all residents of Yolo County. People looking for case records can call the family law division at (530) 406-6794 or visit the courthouse at 1000 Main Street in Woodland to request information. The court provides self-help resources and forms for individuals representing themselves, with information available on the court website at www.yolo.courts.ca.gov/divisions/family. Those seeking to search for family court records can contact the clerk's office directly or visit the courthouse during business hours.

Yolo County Court Operations

The Superior Court of California, County of Yolo, is located at 1000 Main Street in Woodland. This courthouse handles all family law cases for the county. The family law division processes new filings, schedules hearings, and maintains case files. Judicial officers hear family law matters including divorce, custody disputes, support modifications, and restraining order requests. Call the family law division at (530) 406-6794 for information about filing requirements and court procedures.

Court staff at the clerk's office accept new filings and provide copies of existing documents. When you file papers, the clerk stamps them with the filing date and assigns a case number for new cases. This filing date establishes important deadlines for service, response, and other case events. Clerks can answer basic procedural questions like what forms you need or when your hearing is scheduled. They cannot provide legal advice or help you decide what to do in your case. That restriction applies to all California court staff.

Hearings are held at the Woodland courthouse. Arrive early to allow time for security screening. Bring photo identification and copies of all documents filed in your case. Check in at the courtroom when you arrive. Court calendars can be busy, so your hearing may not start exactly at the scheduled time. Wait in or near the courtroom so you hear when your case is called. Judges expect professional behavior and courtroom decorum whether you have an attorney or represent yourself.

The courthouse is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Some departments may close for lunch or have modified hours. Call ahead or check the court website before visiting to confirm hours for the specific office or department you need.

Accessing Case Records

Yolo County Superior Court does not offer online public access to detailed family law case records. You must contact the court or visit in person to search for cases. Call the clerk's office at (530) 406-6794 during business hours. Provide the case number if you have it, or give the names of both parties. Staff can look up cases and confirm basic information like filing dates and upcoming hearings for public record cases.

In-person record review is available at the courthouse in Woodland. Visit the clerk's office at 1000 Main Street. Bring government-issued photo ID. Ask to view a specific case by providing the case number or party names. Staff will direct you to where you can review the file. Family law cases have restricted access under California law. You may see only limited information unless you are a party to the case or have proper legal authorization for broader access.

California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 limits remote access to family law records. This statewide rule covers dissolution, custody, support, and domestic violence cases. Even if Yolo County adds online case search in the future, full family law documents will remain available only at the courthouse. The rule protects privacy in sensitive family matters. Registers of actions showing what was filed and when may be viewable remotely. Actual case documents require an in-person courthouse visit.

Document copies 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. Certified copies are required for official purposes like submitting to another court or government agency. Regular copies work for personal records. Request copies at the clerk's counter. Large copy requests may take time to process, so ask about turnaround when you make the request.

Filing Family Law Cases

Starting a family law case requires completing the necessary court forms. California courts use standardized Judicial Council forms for family law cases. Forms are free and available from the California Courts website or at the courthouse. For divorce, start with form FL-100 (Petition for Dissolution of Marriage). Other case types require different forms. Download forms, read instructions carefully, and complete them fully before visiting the courthouse. Incomplete or incorrect forms may be rejected or delay your case.

Bring completed forms to the clerk's office in Woodland. The filing fee for the first paper is $435. Payment is typically accepted by check, money order, or cash. Some courts accept credit cards but call ahead to confirm payment options. If you cannot pay the fee, file form FW-001 to request a fee waiver. Include proof of income or public benefits with your application. The court reviews fee waiver applications and approves them based on income guidelines tied to federal poverty levels.

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

Deadlines matter in family law cases. The served party has 30 days after service to file a response. Missing deadlines can result in default judgments or case dismissal. Keep track of all dates and file papers on time. The court does not send deadline reminders. It is your responsibility to know when things are due and act accordingly.

Self-Help Services

Yolo County Superior Court provides self-help resources for people representing themselves in family law cases. The court's self-help page offers information on court procedures, forms, and filing requirements. Court staff can answer basic procedural questions and direct you to appropriate forms. Call (530) 406-6794 or visit the clerk's office. Staff cannot provide legal advice about your specific case or help you fill out forms. Those services require an attorney.

The California Courts website has extensive self-help materials available free online. Resources include form instructions, procedure guides, and informational videos covering divorce, custody, support, and restraining orders. Many materials are available in Spanish and other languages. Visit the family law section of the California Courts website for comprehensive self-help information and resources.

Legal Services of Northern California provides free legal help to eligible low-income residents in Yolo County. LSNC handles family law cases involving custody, support, and domestic violence. Call (916) 551-2150 to speak with intake staff who will determine if you qualify for services based on income and case type. If you qualify, LSNC may provide advice, help with paperwork, or representation depending on your situation and their current capacity. Wait times can be significant due to high demand.

Private attorneys are available if you do not qualify for free services 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 options. The State Bar of California operates a lawyer referral service at 1-866-442-2529. They connect you with local attorneys who handle family law cases. Initial consultation fees are typically lower than the attorney's regular hourly rate.

Note: The court's self-help center may offer workshops on family law topics, so check the website for current schedules.

Court Fees and Costs

Yolo County follows California's statewide fee schedule for court filings. The first filing in a family law case costs $435 whether you file a petition or response. Additional motions filed during the case cost $60 per filing. Some documents have no filing fee such as income and expense declarations, proofs of service, and certain requests for orders. Ask the clerk if you are unsure whether a specific document requires a fee.

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

Copy fees apply when you request documents from the court. Standard copies are 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost an additional $40 for the certification which includes an official seal and signature. Certified copies are required for submitting to other courts or government agencies. Regular copies are sufficient for personal files. Pay for copies when you pick them up or when you submit the request depending on court procedures.

Nearby Counties

Yolo County is located in Northern California and borders several counties. 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.