Divorce records in Riverside County, California, are available through several channels. RiversideCourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly available information about divorce cases in this county. Additionally, records can be obtained directly from the Riverside County Superior Court, which issued the ruling, at the court clerk's office (County Clerk-Recorder), as well as at the California Department of Public Health's Vital Records Division (CDPH-VR) for a limited range of dates. Online tools, phone inquiries, and in-person visits all work.
Riverside Divorce Records Search
Divorce cases in Riverside County are handled by the Superior Court of California, County of Riverside — Family Law Division. The court clerk maintains the complete file of each case: judgment of dissolution, property settlement agreements, child custody orders, support orders, and all related documents.
The state Vital Records Division (CDPH – Vital Records) maintains only a divorce index, and only for the period from 1962 to June 1984. Certified copies of the court judgment are not issued by the state — they must be obtained from the court.
To search for court records, you can use the California Courts public records portal or contact the court clerk's office directly:
Riverside County Superior Court — Riverside Family Law Courthouse
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Riverside
In California, divorce is filed as a "dissolution of marriage" and is handled exclusively by the Superior Court. Riverside County has several court buildings, but family law cases are concentrated in the Family Law Courthouse in Riverside and in branches in Indio, Murrieta, and Blythe.
Once a judge signs the judgment, the original remains in the case file at the court clerk's office. This is where certified copies are issued.
Where to Go Depending on Your Needs
- Full court judgment, property settlement agreement, custody orders — Riverside County Superior Court clerk's office.
- Divorce index (only 1962–1984) — California Department of Public Health – Vital Records.
Riverside County Clerk-Recorder
California Department of Public Health – Vital Records
Note: CDPH-VR does not retain copies of court judgments. This office can only confirm the fact of divorce for the specified period. For any documents outside this date range, a direct request to the court is required.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Riverside
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (uncertified), first 10 pages | $0.50 per page | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Certified copy of court judgment | $25–$40 per document | 5–10 business days |
| Divorce index search (CDPH-VR, 1962–1984) | $13 per search | Up to several weeks by mail |