Tulare County, California Divorce Records
Tulare County divorce records are government files that verify the dissolution of marriage unions within the county. Such records typically include the case parties’ personal information, document identifiers, case transcripts, and judicial actions.
Divorce records in Tulare County are vital documents used in various legal and financial processes. Concerned parties may use divorce records to renegotiate mortgages or to initiate name change procedures after a divorce. In addition, the records may serve as references in other family law cases, such as child custody and support proceedings.
Tulare County Divorce Stats: Tulare County divorce rates: Per the Census Bureau, 8.2% of Tulare County residents were divorced in 2024. By gender, male residents had a 6.9% divorce rate compared to the 9.6% rate among female residents.
Are Divorce Records Public in Tulare County?
Yes, most divorce information is open to the public under state laws. The California Rules of Court and the California Public Records Act govern public access to government records. These laws empower the public to inspect and obtain copies of divorce documents from specific public agencies. Public agencies are local or state agencies tasked with the duty of creating or maintaining divorce records. For example, the Tulare County Superior Clerk’s Office creates and maintains access to divorce records.
California laws may restrict public access to specific divorce records. The laws generally exempt access to information that is deemed to not be in the public interest. Personal bank statements and crime scene footage are typically excluded from publicly accessible divorce records. On the other hand, divorced parties may convince the court to remove specific public information due to confidentiality or safety issues.
How to Find Divorce Records in Tulare County
Record seekers may find and obtain Tulare County divorce records by following these general steps:
- Gather the necessary information needed to look up divorce records: To look up divorce records in Tulare County, record seekers generally need the case party names, number, and divorce filing or judgment year. For example, you need this information to find records on the online case portal maintained by the superior court.
- Identify the government agencies in charge of maintaining the records: Record seekers may find divorce records in the custody of local and state agencies. At the local level, the Tulare County Superior Court maintains access to divorce decrees and certificates. The California Department of Public Health is a state-level custodian that maintains records of divorce events from 1962 to 1984.
- Choose a preferred method of obtaining the record: Record seekers may obtain Tulare County divorce records via the following options:
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Online access to Tulare divorce records: The county superior court maintains an online searchable portal for divorce cases. To look up records on the platform, record seekers must first create an account before providing relevant search information.
The county superior court also accepts online requests for divorce decrees, transcripts, and case files. Record seekers must fill in relevant information and click on “Submit” to initiate the request process. Upon receiving the form, the court clerk will reach out to the requester within 24 to 48 hours. Record seekers may then schedule an in-person appointment to obtain physical copies of the record.
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Mail-in requests for Tulare divorce records: For mail-in requests to the superior court, record seekers must provide a request form that includes the case number and submit it to this address:
For case numbers beginning with a “V”:
Superior Court of California
County of Tulare
Visalia Division
221 South Mooney Boulevard
Visalia, CA 93291
Attn: Civil/Criminal Records
Note: Use this address if the case number starts with a “V”.
Superior Court of California
County of Tulare
South County Justice Center
300 E. Olive Avenue
Porterville, CA 93257
Attn: Civil/Criminal Records
Note: Use this address if the case number begins with a “P”.
In contrast, you may submit a mail request for divorce records to the California Department of Public Health at this address:
California Department of Public Health
Vital Records - MS 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
The mail request must include the following:
- An application for a divorce certificate in English or Spanish.
- An $18 check or money order payable to CDPH-VR.
- Copy of valid ID, if the request is for a confidential record.
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In-person access to divorce records: Record seekers may view divorce records by using public terminals installed at this location.
Visalia Division
221 South Mooney Boulevard
Room 124 and Room 201
Visalia, CA 93291.
- Pay the required fees: The Tulare County Superior Court charges fees to produce copies of divorce records. For example, record seekers must pay $10 and $15 for non-certified and certified divorce decrees, respectively. The agency charges $0.50 per page per side of produced divorce copies.
| Method | Where to Go | Info Needed | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Tulare County Superior Court online case portal | Full name, date range | Free | Instant |
| In Person | Tulare County Superior Court | Valid ID, case number | $10 and $15 for non-certified and certified divorce decrees, respectively. | Same day |
| By Mail | Tulare County Superior Court, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) | Request form, payment | $10 and $15 for non-certified and certified divorce decrees, respectively. $18 per divorce certificate (CDPH) | 15 business days for requests made to the superior court. 5 to 7 weeks for requests made to the CDPH. |
Overview of the Tulare County Court System
The Tulare County Superior Court, via the Family Division, oversees divorce case proceedings. Public members may locate the courthouse at this address:
Tulare County Superior Court - Porterville
300 East Olive
Porterville, CA 93257
Phone: (559) 782-3700
Tulare County Superior Court - Visalia
County Civic Center
221 South Mooney Boulevard
Visalia, CA 93291
Phone: (559) 730-5000
Record seekers may find Tulare family court divorce filings and records by submitting a request to the clerks at the courthouses listed above. The clerk may allow mail-in or in-person requests for divorce records.
Online Access to Tulare County Divorce Records
Record seekers may find Tulare divorce records online via the superior court’s online case portal. To obtain records, record seekers must first create an account and fill in relevant search information.
Third-party record search sites are an alternative option for looking up free online divorce records in Tulare County. These sites are generally easy to use and may only require the case number or party name to bring up relevant court information. Some websites come with additional perks like free downloads of court documents. That being said, they are not government-regulated and may not provide accurate and updated court information.
What’s Typically Included in a Tulare Divorce Record
Tulare County divorce records typically reveal the following information:
- Divorce case parties’ personal information, including their names, address, and occupation.
- Legal representatives’ names and contact information.
- Filed court documents, such as the divorce petition, crime reports, and marriage licenses.
- Divorce filing year and judgment date.
- Court summons.
- Case identifiers, such as the case and docket number.
- Judicial actions, such as court decrees and agreements.
Public divorce records may exclude information that is exempt under state laws. California laws generally exclude access to court records whose disclosure may endanger the safety of concerned parties. For example, personal information on abused victims is exempt from public divorce records.
| Information | Available to the Public? |
|---|---|
| Names of spouses | Yes |
| Divorce date | Yes |
| Case number | Yes |
| Custody arrangements | Sometimes restricted |
| Financial disclosures | No |
How to Get Certified Copies of Tulare Divorce Records
To obtain certified divorce decrees in Tulare County, record seekers must submit a mail or in-person request to the superior court at these locations:
Tulare County Superior Court - Porterville
300 East Olive
Porterville, CA 93257
Phone: (559) 782-3700
Tulare County Superior Court - Visalia
County Civic Center
221 South Mooney Boulevard
Visalia, CA 93291
Phone: (559) 730-5000
The request must include the case number and other relevant details about the requested document. Note that the court may request a copy of a valid ID if the requested document contains sensitive or confidential information. The court also charges a $15 fee to produce certified divorce decrees.
Note: Certified divorce decrees contain an official seal and are vital documents in various legal processes. Record seekers may need certified documents when applying for remarriage or settling property disputes.
| Type of Copy | Use Case | Who Can Request | Legally Valid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Copy | Remarriage, legal proceedings | Spouse, attorney, court | Yes |
| Informational Copy | Genealogy, general info | Anyone (if public) | No |
Tulare Divorce Records Summary
| Custodian | Available Record Type | Access Method | Fees & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superior Court (Court Records) | Full case files, judgments | Public Portal / Mail / In person | $0.50/page; $15 certified judgment; |
| CDPH (Vital Records) | Certificate of Record (1962–1984 only) | Mail-in via form | $18 per copy; includes only summary info (names, date, case number) |
| Third-Party Websites | Aggregated records | Online search (paid) | Convenience at cost; accuracy may vary |