Search Free Los Angeles County Divorce Records (Case Lookup)

Look up free Los Angeles County divorce records and find key information related to the dissolution of marriage.

These records detail the circumstances surrounding the divorce process and the settlements reached afterwards. They can also prove beneficial for legal, personal, or genealogical purposes. This article explains how citizens can track down these records using both county and state-level agencies and databases at no cost.

How To View Los Angeles County Divorce Records

The office of the County Clerk/Registrar-Recorder in Los Angeles County doesn’t keep divorce records or information on these records.¹

For finding divorce records you can start your search at the Superior Court of Los Angeles County where the dissolution was filed.² This court stores all divorce filings following California Government Code guidelines.

In a conveniently electronic way, this court site provides certified copies of these records. These include digitally maintained documents stored over time.

The court provides an interesting feature called the Divorce Judgment Document Order site.³

The public can order copies of any finalized divorces from here. If there’s a Family Law judgment unavailable online or about a case heard after January 2, 2018, then you can make use of the case document images.

If you’re searching for records that predate the date mentioned above, then you can click on the ‘Place An Order’ option to begin your search.⁴

Although both of the methods mentioned follow a slightly different mechanism, they both require you to have a case number to order through the site. However, if you don’t have a case number then the platform facilitates a name-based search (available via the same link) to obtain that number, but be mindful that each inquiry incurs expenses associated with digital record access.

For the first option, to access the portal you will either need to create a new account or continue through the existing one if you are already registered. You can also access the service as a guest if you do not want to create an account.

When you visit the website, it will ask for a case number. Once you put that in and click search, the automated system will look up the case files that you’re looking for. Once the search is complete you will be able to see the file on your screen or download it to keep a copy for yourself.

However, to view the public divorce records you have to pay the associated fee first. The system charges $1.00 per page if it’s only five pages or less.

Any document longer than 5 pages comes for 40 cents per page; but don’t worry, as the maximum amount of $40.00 can be charged per document.

If proceeding through the latter option, you will only need to provide the case number and follow the step-by-step procedure.

After entering the case number you will need to confirm the case details first, then enter the number of copies you want next, then provide the address where the documents should be delivered afterward and verify all this information before going ahead with the payment process.

The fee associated with this procedure is as follows:

• Per Page Fee: $0.50/page
• Certification: $15.00/copy
• Exemplification: $50.00/copy

Note: This fee is exclusive of postage and handling charges and should be paid using a Discover, Visa, or MasterCard. Payments through check and money order are inapplicable.

Once you have completed your online order, the court will show an order receipt. This confirms they have received your payment and request.

It’s a good idea to print this receipt or note down the important details from it. Within three business days, the court will send out your requested paper, although keep in mind that delivery via the U.S. postal service can take some extra days.

Additionally, if you face any difficulty in acquiring these records, you can get in touch with the Los Angeles Superior Court at the following:

Los Angeles County Courthouse
111 N. Hill Street
Los Angeles, California, 90012

Phone: 213-830-0803
Office Hours: Monday – Friday (8:30 AM – 4:30 PM)

How To Use the California Department of Public Health for Finding Statewide Divorce Information

You can search for statewide divorce records through the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).⁵ The department holds the divorce index for all of California. Access to such information is regulated under the rules of the California Public Records Act.⁶

To find these records you will need to submit an Application for Certificate of Record for a Divorce Form (VS 113–B) at CDPH.⁷

This request makes it possible to procure someone’s official divorce record. A fee payment follows next, which equates to $16.

Payments are made either by check or money order made payable directly to ‘CDPH Vital Records.’ Keep in mind that omissions in mentioning this sum within your mail will lead the authorities to dismiss your request right away. The application form along with the associated fee can be sent to the following address:

California Department of Public Health
Vital Records Division – MS 5103
Post Office Box, 997410
Sacramento, California, 95899-7410

Phone: 916-445-2684

However, do note that CDPH only provides divorce certificates in the form of records dating from 1962 till June 1984. Additionally, you will also not be able to find common law divorce data on their website, as the state does not recognize these marriages.

If you are interested in finding older records then Los Angeles County’s Archives & Records Center holds accessible information on older court cases and records. This includes family law cases among many others – if they were filed between 1910 to 2004, you are to find them here.

The center allows mail requests for case numbers, copies of records and even the certification of the documents. To initiate the request, you will need to write to them at the following address:

Archives & Records Center
222 N. Hill St., Room 212,
LA, California, 90012

Phone: 213-830-0198
Office Hours: Weekdays 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

However, when writing to the center, don’t forget to mark down your case number and approximately when it was filed. If the case number is not known, then just write down the type of case (like divorce), who was involved and around what year this all took place.

You also need to be clear about which documents need copying and whether you need them certified. When sending the request make sure to add a self-addressed envelope that is stamped alongside a check payable to ‘Los Angeles Superior Court.’

Make sure also to add the phrase ‘Not exceed $x.xx’ in the memo line to avoid getting overcharged. Once the request is received, it takes around 8-10 weeks to process and complete.

Does Los Angeles County Provide Divorce & Dissolution of Marriage Information to the Public?

In Los Angeles, divorce records are accessible to the public. This is permitted by the California Public Records Act, which lets everyone access information about marriage dissolutions at both the county and state levels.

Therefore anyone can retrieve these divorce records from government sources like the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) or even Los Angeles County’s Superior Court unless certain laws or court orders limit this.

The Superior Court even provides the option of getting certified and non-certified copies, with the former costing $15 compared to the latter, which costs nothing. For older divorce records you can contact the Archives & Records Center.⁸

Different documents play different roles in the divorce process. Divorce papers include those files submitted to the court by either of the spouses seeking separation. They can consist of a formal plea for divorce and other critical paperwork depending on each unique case.

There are also documents referred to as divorce decrees, which are issued only by a court upon the final judgment of a case. It covers all important details related to child custody, property division, financial support, among others. Finding these specific decrees can pose some difficulty as they are not so easily accessible compared to general divorce records that are available through local or state departments.

Apart from official channels you can pursue obtaining Los Angeles divorce records online via various third-party public record websites. However, the information on these records can differ from official sources.

In summary, if you are searching for Los Angeles County divorce records, this resource provides the most convenient and affordable ways of finding them.