Riverside County, California Divorce Records

Riverside County divorce records are documents filed and generated when divorce cases are handled within the county. Parties who typically request Riverside County divorce records include divorce attorneys, individual researchers, government agencies such as child protective services, and law enforcement who require divorce records for child welfare procedures or initiatives.

In California, the divorce rate is about 8.9% of the total population of about 39.4 million as of 2024. Riverside County has over 2.5 million residents, and the divorce rate is about 9.3%. In Riverside County, the most common grounds for divorce are irreconcilable differences. Other grounds for divorce include substance abuse, infidelity, and felony charges.

Are Divorce Records Public in Riverside County?

Yes. Divorce records are generally deemed public under the California Public Records Act (CPRA). The act grants the public access to records maintained by government agencies and states the limits to public access. For instance, medical records, addresses, social security numbers, juvenile records, and records sealed by court order are exempt from public access.

The public may access most parts of a divorce case. Information available in Riverside County divorce records includes the case number, the parties' names to the case, date of filing, child support and custody information, property division agreement, the grounds upon which the divorce was granted, and the divorce date. However, sensitive portions of the records may be redacted. Eligibility verification is not required, and individuals seeking to reproduce copies may be required to pay a fee and show identification.

How to Find Divorce Records in Riverside County

The clerk of the superior court is the custodian of Riverside County divorce records. Interested parties can look up divorce records in Riverside County using various methods. They may choose between an in-person visit, online access, or a mail-in request.

In-Person Request

Individuals may fill out an online application and schedule an appointment to visit the County Clerk's office during office hours. They are required to show valid identification and pay the applicable fees. Certified copies cost $15 per copy. They can pay by credit card, check, money order, or cash. Alternatively, interested parties may get divorce records through the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

Mail Requests

Interested parties may submit a written request by mail to the Riverside County clerk's office. The application must include their contact information and specific details about the divorce records they seek, including the names of the parties to the case, divorce date, case number, and filing date.

Obtaining Riverside County divorce records often involves fees. A certified copy of a divorce record may cost up to $15 per copy, $1 for reproducing the first five pages, and $0.5 for each additional page. Individuals may pay by cash, cheque, or credit card.

Online

To request divorce records online, interested parties may visit the Search Court Records website. Here, they may conduct a name search or search by case number. Although Riverside County divorce records are publicly accessible, some sensitive information, such as details about minors, medical records, financial information, and addresses, may be redacted.

Overview of the Riverside County Court System

The Riverside Superior Court is the main court serving Riverside County. There are multiple courthouses in different locations that adjudicate different cases. The clerk of the Superior Court maintains divorce records.

Online Access to Riverside County Divorce Records

Interested parties may find Riverside County divorce records online by visiting the Search Court Records website. There's a dedicated portal on the website for individuals who may want to perform a name search or search using the case number. Additionally, third-party websites such as Californiacourtrecords.us also provide access to divorce records. However, these sites are not government-affiliated and therefore may not be as accurate or up to date as official sources.

What's Typically Included in a Riverside County Divorce Record

Information available in a Riverside County divorce record includes information about the case and the individuals involved in the case. These include the names of the parties, occupation, divorce date, child support and child custody information, spousal support obligations, information about the court where the matter was resolved, case number, property division agreement, the grounds for divorce, and the judge's final decree, together with the terms of settlement.

Due to privacy protections, certain sensitive information may be sealed or redacted. These include financial information, social security numbers, and bank accounts.

How to Get Certified Copies of Riverside County Divorce Records

To order a certified copy of a divorce decree, interested parties should fill out and submit the RI-MC011 form. In addition, they are required to provide the names of the parties to the case, the case number, and the date of divorce and mail the same to the office of the Clerk of the Superior Court located at 2720 Gateway Drive, Riverside, CA. Copies of documents cost $0.50, while document certification costs $15 and $1 for each additional page.

Certified legal documents come with a seal and are printed on certified security paper. They are usable for official legal purposes, including name changes, passport applications, remarriage, and establishing the identity of the individual. These documents are only available to parties involved in the case or their attorneys.

On the other hand, informational copies cannot be used for legal purposes. They are intended for genealogical research or personal use only. Anyone may request an informational copy without the need to demonstrate a relationship with the parties to the case.

Why People Request Riverside County Divorce Records

Here are some of the most common reasons to request divorce records in Riverside County. They include:

• To change their name: when there's a major life update, such as a divorce, divorce certificates are required to make changes to passports, driver's licenses, and other means of identification.
• To remarry: In many jurisdictions, the individual must prove that they were legally divorced before they can remarry.
• For legal or financial matters: Divorced individuals often need to provide proof to creditors, banks, and financial institutions to ascertain their present marital status.
• For genealogy or family research: Divorce records often help to answer questions in genealogy, especially where children were involved in the divorce.
• For probate proceedings: Family members may request divorce records to establish inheritance rights and family relationships during probate proceedings.

Riverside County Divorce Records Summary