San Bernardino County Divorce Records
What Are San Bernardino County Divorce Records?
San Bernardino County divorce records are official documents that provide information about the dissolution of marriages within the county. These records are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, and include details about the divorce proceedings, judgments, and related legal documents. Divorce records serve as legal proof that a marriage has been terminated and may be required for various purposes, such as remarriage, name changes, or financial matters.
Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino - 247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415
Are San Bernardino County Divorce Records Public?
Yes, divorce records in San Bernardino County are generally considered public records. This means that most information contained in divorce filings is accessible to the public. However, certain sensitive information may be redacted or sealed by court order to protect privacy, especially in cases involving minors, domestic violence, or financial details. The public nature of these records allows for transparency in the legal system while balancing the need for personal privacy in certain circumstances.
How To Find a Divorce Record In San Bernardino County in 2025
To find a divorce record in San Bernardino County in 2025, you can follow these steps:
- Visit the San Bernardino County Superior Court's Records Division in person.
- Use the court's online case information system to search for records.
- Submit a written request to the court clerk's office.
- Provide essential information including the names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce filing, and case number if available.
- Pay the required search and copy fees.
For the most accurate information, contact the court directly as procedures may have been updated since this information was published.
San Bernardino County Superior Court Records Division - 247 West Third Street, Room 113, San Bernardino, CA 92415
How To Look Up Divorce Records in San Bernardino County Online?
To look up divorce records in San Bernardino County online:
- Visit the San Bernardino County Superior Court's official website.
- Navigate to the "Case Information" or "Records Search" section.
- Create an account if required by the system.
- Enter the search criteria, such as the names of the parties involved or the case number.
- Pay any applicable online search fees.
- Review the available information and request copies if needed.
Note that while basic case information may be available online, complete divorce records or certified copies typically require an in-person visit or mail request.
Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino - Online Services: https://www.sb-court.org
How To Find Divorce Records for Free In San Bernardino County?
Finding divorce records for free in San Bernardino County can be challenging, as most official searches involve fees. However, you can try these approaches:
- Use public access terminals at the courthouse, which may offer limited free searches.
- Visit the county law library, which may provide access to certain public records.
- Check if the San Bernardino County Superior Court offers fee waivers for those with financial hardship.
- Utilize free online resources that aggregate public records, though these may not be comprehensive or up-to-date.
Remember that while searching may sometimes be free, obtaining copies of documents typically involves fees.
San Bernardino County Law Library - 402 North D Street, San Bernardino, CA 92401
What's Included in a Divorce Records In San Bernardino County
Divorce records in San Bernardino County typically include:
- Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- Response to the petition
- Financial disclosures from both parties
- Child custody and support arrangements, if applicable
- Property division agreements
- Spousal support determinations
- Final Judgment of Dissolution
- Court orders related to the divorce
- Name change information, if applicable
- Settlement agreements
The comprehensiveness of records varies by case, with some divorces having extensive documentation while others may be relatively simple.
How To Get Proof of Divorce In San Bernardino County?
To obtain proof of divorce in San Bernardino County:
- Request a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution from the San Bernardino County Superior Court.
- Visit the court clerk's office in person, or submit a request by mail.
- Provide the names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, and the case number if available.
- Complete the required request form.
- Pay the certification fee (typically $15-25 per copy).
- Present valid identification when requesting records in person.
A certified copy of the divorce judgment serves as legal proof of divorce and is accepted for most official purposes.
Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, Records Division - 247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415
Can a Divorce Be Confidential In San Bernardino County?
While most divorce proceedings in San Bernardino County are public, there are options for maintaining some confidentiality:
- Request that certain sensitive documents be sealed by court order.
- File for a confidential marriage license initially, which provides some privacy protections during divorce.
- Pursue mediation or collaborative divorce, which keeps negotiations private.
- Ask the court to redact sensitive personal information from public records.
Complete confidentiality is rare, but judges may grant requests to seal records in cases involving domestic violence, child abuse, or when publicity would cause undue harm.
How Long Does a Divorce Take In San Bernardino County?
The duration of a divorce in San Bernardino County varies:
- The mandatory waiting period is 6 months from the date the respondent is served with divorce papers.
- Uncontested divorces with complete agreement may be finalized shortly after the 6-month waiting period.
- Contested divorces involving disputes over assets, custody, or support can take 1-2 years or longer.
- Cases requiring trial typically take the longest to resolve.
- Court congestion and scheduling can affect timelines.
Factors that influence duration include complexity of assets, presence of children, cooperation between parties, and court caseload.
How Long Does San Bernardino County Keep Divorce Records?
San Bernardino County maintains divorce records indefinitely. As legal documents of significant importance, these records are preserved permanently in the county's archival system. Older records may be transferred to microfilm, digital storage, or archived facilities, but they remain accessible through proper requests. While access methods may change over time, the permanent nature of these records ensures they remain available for legal and genealogical purposes regardless of when the divorce occurred.
How To Get a Divorce In San Bernardino County
To get a divorce in San Bernardino County:
- Ensure you meet residency requirements (at least one spouse must have lived in California for 6 months and in San Bernardino County for 3 months).
- Complete the initial divorce paperwork, including the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.
- File the paperwork with the San Bernardino County Superior Court and pay filing fees.
- Serve the divorce papers to your spouse according to legal requirements.
- Wait for your spouse's response or the response period to expire.
- Complete and exchange financial disclosures.
- Negotiate settlement terms or prepare for court hearings.
- Attend required mediation if you have children.
- Finalize the judgment through settlement or court decision.
- Submit final paperwork for the judge's signature.
San Bernardino County Family Law Division - 351 North Arrowhead Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92415
How To Get Divorce Papers In San Bernardino County
To obtain divorce papers in San Bernardino County:
- Visit the San Bernardino County Superior Court's Self-Help Center.
- Download forms from the California Courts website (www.courts.ca.gov).
- Use the court's online document assembly program if available.
- Purchase forms from the court clerk's office.
- Seek assistance from the Family Law Facilitator's office for guidance on completing forms.
- Consider using legal document preparation services (though these charge fees).
Many forms are standardized California Judicial Council forms, while others may be specific to San Bernardino County.
San Bernardino County Self-Help Center - 351 North Arrowhead Avenue, Room 326, San Bernardino, CA 92415
Lookup Divorce Records in San Bernardino County
For information on accessing court case documents, including divorce records, visit the Court Case Information and Document Sales page of the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino.
To learn about the process for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership in San Bernardino County, including requirements and steps involved, check the Dissolution of Marriage / Domestic Partnership page.
For comprehensive information on family law services, including divorce, legal separation, and annulment, visit the Family Law section of the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino website.