Divorce records in San Diego County, California, are available through several official channels. SanDiegoCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about divorce cases in this county. Additionally, records can be obtained directly through the San Diego County Superior Court, the county clerk-recorder's office, and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), which maintains divorce certificates at the state level.
San Diego Divorce Records Search
In California, divorce cases (dissolution of marriage) are handled by the Superior Court. The Family Law Division of this court in San Diego County maintains all case materials: petitions, court judgments, property settlement agreements, child custody and support orders.
Court records are kept by the court's clerk's office. Separately, the California Department of Public Health — Vital Records registers the fact of divorce and issues the corresponding certificate (divorce certificate). These are two different documents: the court file contains the complete case, while the certificate only confirms the fact of the dissolution of marriage.
The collection of records includes:
- Judgment of Dissolution
- Divorce Certificate (state level)
- Marital Settlement Agreements
- Child custody and visitation orders
- Spousal support orders
The main office for court record requests:
San Diego Superior Court — Central Courthouse
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in San Diego
Understanding where documents are filed saves time. Here's how it works in California.
Superior Court — the only trial court that handles divorce cases. There is no separate "family court" as an independent institution; the Family Law Division is a part of the Superior Court. After a decision is made, all case materials remain in the court's clerk's office. You can view the Register of Actions through the court's online case search or visit the court in person — more details on the court records access page.
California Department of Public Health (CDPH — Vital Records) has been maintaining divorce certificates since 1962. This document confirms the fact of divorce but does not contain details of property settlement or custody.
What you need determines where to go:
| What You Need | Where to Go |
|---|---|
| Complete case, court judgment, agreements | San Diego Superior Court — Clerk's Office |
| Divorce Certificate (confirmation of fact) | CDPH Vital Records or local County Clerk |
| Case information online | Online Case Search |
Contact information for each office:
San Diego Superior Court — Family Law Filing Office
California Department of Public Health — Vital Records
The Divorce FAQ page on the court's website answers common questions about the filing and completion process.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in San Diego
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Online Case Search | Free | Instant |
| Copy of court document (regular) | $0.50 per page | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Certified copy of court document | $25 per document + $0.50 per page | 5–10 business days |
| Divorce Certificate (CDPH — Certified Copy) | $18 | Up to 14–18 weeks (standard processing) |
| Divorce Certificate (CDPH — Expedited) | $18 + additional expedited delivery fee | Approximately 3–5 business days after request receipt |