Los Angeles County, California Divorce Records
On This Page
Los Angeles County divorce records are case files on marriage terminations within the Family Law Division of the Los Angeles Superior Court. These documents provide accurate details of divorce proceedings from the petition stage (case filing) to the final judgment of dissolution.
Los Angeles County divorce records are generally accessible (as part of court documents), but with certain limitations. Divorce records serve personal and administrative purposes, and how to find divorce records in Los Angeles County may depend on the use. For instance, individuals may use certified copies of Los Angeles County divorce records as proof of marital status for remarriage, to enforce court orders, or to change their names.
California does not publish annual divorce rates for its counties. However, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2023, 9.7% of Los Angeles County's female residents were divorced. There is no data for males.
Are Divorce Records Public in Los Angeles County?
Yes, the California Public Records Act grants individuals the right to access Los Angeles County divorce records. However, public disclosure of Los Angeles County divorce records is limited to non-sensitive information, such as:
- Case information, including the names of the divorced, the case number, the filing date, and the case status
- Non-confidential parts of Court filings. For instance, petitions for dissolution of marriage, summons and responses, motions & orders, and final judgments
- Case dockets
- Basic divorce decree information, such as confirmation of divorce and the date the divorce was finalized.
For privacy reasons, access to sensitive divorce information is restricted to the owners of the divorce records, their attorneys of record, and individuals with court orders. For example, the public cannot access Los Angeles divorce records, such as:
- Social Security numbers
- Bank account numbers, tax returns, and detailed financial disclosures
- Minor children's personal details beyond custody orders
- Medical or mental health records
- Domestic violence reports or restraining orders (with certain exceptions).
How to Find Divorce Records in Los Angeles County
There are several ways to look up divorce records in Los Angeles County. The options for a Los Angeles County court divorce search include the Los Angeles Superior Court Case Access Portal, mail request, and in-person visits to the Family Law Division of the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Online Access
For online access to Los Angeles divorce records, log in to the Superior Court Case Access and search for divorce information by case number or name. Users can also order copies of Los Angeles divorce judgment documents through the Case Access Portal.
Mail & In-person Access
The Clerk of the Los Angeles County Superior Court serves as the official record-keeper; this office provides access to case files, divorce decrees, judgments, and certified copies of Los Angeles County divorce records. Record seekers can visit or mail the office at:
Stanley Mosk Courthouse
111 N. Hill Street,
Los Angeles,
CA 90012.
Requesters should note the following fees for copies of Orange County divorce records from the Family Law Clerk's Office of the Orange County Superior Court:
- Non-certified copies: $0.50 per page
- Certified copies: $0.50 per page, plus a $15.00 certification fee per document for divorce decrees or a $25.00 fee for other divorce documents.
Alternatively, information seekers can order Los Angeles County divorce certificates from 1962 to June 1984 through the California Department of Health's (CDPH) Vital Records Department. For online access to Los Angeles County divorce certificates through the CDPH:
- Download and complete an Application for Certificate of Record For a Divorce Form ( Form VS 113b)
- Mail the completed request form along with a check or money order for $16.00 (payable to the CDPH-Vital Records) to:
The California Department of Public Health | Vital Records - MS 5103
P.O. Box 997410,
Sacramento,
CA 95899-7410.
| Method | Where to Go | Info Needed | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Los Angeles County Superior Court Case Access Portal |
|
| Viewing Case Details is instant, and downloading documents is immediate after payment |
| Mail-in | Clerk of the Los Angeles Superior Court Office at: Stanley Mosk Courthouse 111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 |
|
| 2 to 4 weeks if the requirements are complete, and 6 to 8 weeks if incomplete |
| Mail-in | The California Department of Public Health | Vital Records - MS 5103 P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410. |
| $16.00 | 10 to 12 weeks |
| In-person Request | Clerk of the Los Angeles Superior Court Office at: Stanley Mosk Courthouse 111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 |
|
|
Overview of the Los Angeles County Court System
Similar to other California counties, the Los Angeles County Superior Court is the sole judicial institution in Los Angeles County. The Los Angeles Superior Court has branches that handle civil and criminal cases.
The Family Law Division of the Los Angeles County Superior Court oversees divorce cases, and its clerk's office maintains all related records. Individuals seeking Los Angeles County family court divorce filings should contact the Los Angeles County Superior Court's Family Law Division at:
Stanley Mosk Courthouse - Family Law Division
111 N. Hill Street
Los Angeles,
CA 90012
Phone: (213) 633-6363.
Online Access to Los Angeles County Divorce Records
Record seekers can find Los Angeles County divorce records online through the Los Angeles Superior Court Case Access Portal. This access portal allows users to view and request copies of Los Angeles County divorce records.
For a free online divorce lookup in Los Angeles County:
- Log in to the Los Angeles Superior Court Case Access Portal
- Choose the search type (case number, party name, or transcript)
- If using the case number as a search criterion
- On the subsequent page, scroll down and click "Family Law Case Access"
- Provide the case number and click "Search" to submit
- For a name-based search:
- Click "Search for Case by Litigant's Name"
- Review the
- Review the search fees, scroll down, and click "Continue"
- Register to access the search portal or click "Continue as a Guest"
- Enter the party name into the name field and click "Search" to submit the query.
Some third-party websites may also offer access to Los Angeles County divorce records. These platforms provide access to documents and information from various sources. Nonetheless, users should be cautious of errors and incomplete documents because these websites are independent and do not offer guarantees.
What is Typically Included in a Los Angeles County Divorce Record
The information on a Los Angeles County divorce record depends on the type of document. A Los Angeles County divorce certificate containing publicly accessible divorce information, including:
- Full names of both parties
- Name of the court where the petition was filed and divorce was
- final (Los Angeles County Superior Court)
- Case number
- Date of filing and finalization
- Type of case.
By contrast, in addition to the content of a Los Angeles divorce certificate, a Los Angeles County divorce decree contains sensitive information such as:
- Child-related orders (if applicable)
- Spousal support (alimony)
- Division of property and debts
- Attorney's fees and court costs
- Restraining or protective orders (if issued during the case)
- Restoration of former name (if requested)
- Final orders and the judge's signature.
| Los Angeles County Divorce Record Information | Available to the Public |
|---|---|
| Case number | Yes |
| Full names of the divorced parties | Yes |
| Court name | Yes |
| Filing date | Yes |
| Case type | Yes |
| Child-related orders | No |
| Restraining orders | No |
| Division of property | No |
| Attorney fees and court orders | No |
How to Get Certified Copies of Los Angeles County Divorce Records
Certified copies of Los Angeles County divorce records are accessible through the Los Angeles County Superior Court's Family Law Division and the California Department of Public Health. Interested individuals can order these documents online, by mail, or in person.
Online Access
To order certified copies of Los Angeles County divorce records online:
- Visit the Los Angeles County Superior Court's Divorce Judgment Documents website
- Scroll down, and click "Place an Order to link to the Case Information Page
- Provide the case number and click "Continue" to access the specific record
- Follow the instructions and prompts to place an order
Walk-in Access
For an in-person request for a certified divorce decree in Los Angeles County, visit the Family Law Clerk's Office with a valid government-issued photo ID and payment at:
Stanley Mosk Courthouse
111 N. Hill Street
Los Angeles,
CA 90012
Requesters should provide case numbers (best option if it is available), names of the divorced parties, and the approximate year of divorce.
Mail Requests
Write a request letter containing the names of both parties, case number (if known), year of divorce, and type of document. Include a check or money order (payable to Clerk of the Court) and a self-addressed stamped envelope, and mail to:
Los Angeles Superior Court - Family Law Division (Records)
Stanley Mosk Courthouse
111 N. Hill Street,
Los Angeles,
CA 90012.
Individuals seeking certified copies of Los Angeles County's certificate of records for Los Angeles County divorces from 1962 to June 1984 should:
- Download and complete an Application for Certificate of Record For a Divorce Form ( Form VS 113b)
- Include a check or money order for $16.00 (this should be payable to CDPH-Vital Records)
- Mail the request form to:
The California Department of Public Health | Vital Records - MS 5103
P.O. Box 997410,
Sacramento,
CA 95899-7410.
Certified copies of Los Angeles County divorce records are official documents, and they play various administrative roles. In contrast to informational copies, an individual can get an official divorce record copy as proof of marriage termination. Hence, these documents are legally acceptable for remarriage, immigration applications, and other purposes that require confirmation of marital status.
| Type of Copy | Use Case | Who Can Request | Legally Valid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Copy |
|
| Yes |
| Informational Copy |
| Anyone (if public) | No |
Why People Request Los Angeles County Divorce Records
People request Los Angeles County divorce records for various personal reasons. The reasons to request divorce records in Los Angeles County include:
- To change their name
- To remarry
- For legal or financial matters
- For genealogy or family research.
Los Angeles County Divorce Records Summary
| Custodian | Available Record Type | Access Method | Fees & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County Superior Court (Court Records) |
| Public Portal/Mail/In person |
|
| CDPH (Vital Records) | Certificate of Record (1962 to 1984 only) | Mail-in via form | $16 per copy (includes only summary information, such as names, date, and case number) |
| Third-Party Websites | Aggregated records | Online search (paid) | Convenience for fees, and accuracy may vary. |