Sacramento County, California Divorce Records

Sacramento County divorce records are documents filed during divorce case proceedings, including transcripts, pleadings, evidence, and judgments. They contain information about the case parties, including the grounds on which the divorce was granted, the names of the divorced parties, the date of divorce, pleadings, settlement terms, evidence, motions, and other case-specific details.

Individuals may require divorce records for research purposes, to prepare for divorce cases, and for child welfare and support initiatives. In general, divorce records in Sacramento County are public; therefore, most parts of the records are available for public view. However, sensitive aspects and personal details may be redacted.

Sacramento County Divorce Rate: As of 2025, the divorce rate in California is 60%, the national average is 50%, while that of Sacramento County is 11%.

Are Divorce Records Public in Sacramento County?

Yes. Per the California Public Records Act (CPRA), the public has the right to access records maintained by government agencies in California. The public may peruse most parts of the information contained in divorce records. Anyone who is curious may access divorce records in Sacramento County, except for records that are sealed by law.

How to Find Divorce Records in Sacramento County

Sacramento County divorce records are maintained by the clerk of the Sacramento County Superior Court. Interested parties may access certified copies of divorce decrees from the court where the divorce was filed. There are multiple ways to access divorce records. They include an in-person visit to the courthouse, a mail request or online.

In-Person Request

Interested parties may visit the Superior Court, William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse. It is located at 3341 Power Inn Road, Sacramento, CA. Office hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday. Before visiting, they must complete and submit a public request form. They are also required to provide valid photo identification. Alternatively, they may access divorce records through the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

Mail Request

Individuals may use the option of mailing in a request to the office of the clerk of the superior court. They must fill out and mail in the Request for Copies of Family Law Records. The application must include their contact information and specific information about the records they seek, such as the parties to the case, divorce date, case number and filing date.

Interested parties are also required to pay the requisite fees. A fee of $15 is attached to a certified copy of a divorce record. To make copies, $1 is charged for the first 5 pages and $0.5 for subsequent pages. The request is processed within 7 to 10 days.

Online

Sacramento Superior Court provides a Public Case Access System through which interested parties may find court cases online. They must provide the names of both parties to the case, the divorce date, and the case number. Certified copies cost $15 per copy.

Overview of the Sacramento County Court System

The family law division of the Sacramento County Superior Court handles divorce cases. Interested parties may visit the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse, located at 3341 Power Inn Road. They may schedule a visit during office hours, 8:30 am to 4 pm, from Monday to Friday, except court holidays.

Online Access to Sacramento County Divorce Records

Interested parties may find Sacramento County divorce records online by visiting the Public Case Access System. Through this portal, they may look up divorce records by name, case number, or date of filing. Case parties have enhanced access through a court-assigned case subscription. The subscription provides access to deeper information, including findings and orders after a hearing, mediator reports, and minute orders.

In addition, interested parties may find Sacramento County divorce records online through third-party websites. However, records obtained from such sites should be verified with the official sources for accuracy.

What's Typically Included in a Sacramento County Divorce Record

In a typical divorce record in Sacramento County, individuals may find information about the divorcees and the case. Some of these may include the individuals' names, case number, occupation, date of divorce, grounds for divorce, spousal support, child custody agreement, and property division.

Due to the sensitive nature of divorce cases, some private details are redacted or sealed, especially when children are involved. These include social security numbers, financial information, bank accounts, and addresses.

How to Get Certified Copies of Sacramento County Divorce Records

A divorce record may be either a certified copy or an informational one. An informational copy is available for public consumption and may not necessarily indicate that a divorce was granted in court. It is only intended for research and personal use.

A certified or authorised copy bears the court's seal and is printed on certified security paper. It is only provided to parties listed on the divorce certificate or their attorneys. It can be used for legal purposes such as name changes, passport applications, insurance claims, and remarriage.

To order certified copies of divorce records, interested parties must fill out the request form and submit it to the Sacramento Superior Court at the Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Courthouse. They must provide the full names of both parties, the date of divorce, the case number, and make payment of a fee of $0.5 per page for copies and $4 for certification. A certified copy of the dissolution judgment costs $15. Requesters must present valid identification.

Why People Request Sacramento County Divorce Records

Residents may require Sacramento County divorce records for a number of reasons. Some of these are:

• To change their name: Following a major life event such as a divorce, the individual involved may have to make changes to their passport, driver's license, and other means of identification.
• To remarry: In most counties, before an individual may remarry, they must present evidence that they are divorced.
• For legal or financial matters: Individuals who have been divorced may have to update their information with financial institutions, banks and creditors. They need to present the divorce record as evidence.
• For genealogy or family research: Divorce records can help unravel the puzzles that may arise in determining genealogy, particularly when there were children in the marriage.
• For probate proceedings: For probate and estate matters, the divorced individual may be required to present divorce records to family members.

Sacramento County Divorce Records Summary