Divorce records in Tulare County, California, are available through several channels. TulareCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about divorces in the county — it's a convenient starting point for your search. Additionally, records can be obtained directly from the court that issued the decision, the county clerk's office, or the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), which maintains the registry of vital records. Below is a practical guide to searching, ordering copies, and understanding the storage structure of these documents.
Tulare Divorce Records Search
Divorce cases in Tulare County are handled by the Tulare County Superior Court — the only court of general jurisdiction in the county, as in all counties of California. The Clerk of the Superior Court keeps the original court materials: judgment of dissolution, property settlement agreements, child custody orders, and related procedural documents.
Separate from the court, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) registers the fact of divorce and issues divorce certificates. These certificates contain only basic information — the names of the parties, the date, and the place of the divorce — without details of property settlement or custody.
Main address for family law matters:
Tulare County Superior Court — Visalia Courthouse
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Tulare
In California, divorce is processed as "dissolution of marriage" and is handled by the Family Law Division of the county Superior Court. After a judge issues a decision, the original judgment of dissolution remains with the court clerk. This is where you should go if you need a complete copy of the court decision, property settlement agreement, or any other document from the case.
If you only need an official certificate confirming the fact of divorce, contact the CDPH. The department keeps records of divorces registered throughout the state.
- Complete court materials — Clerk of Tulare County Superior Court.
- Divorce certificate — California Department of Public Health, Vital Records.
Tulare County Superior Court — Clerk's Office (Family Law)
California Department of Public Health — Vital Records
Note: Some family law materials may be restricted in access according to California Rules of Court, rule 2.400–2.420. Confidential documents — such as financial declarations of the parties — are usually not available to the general public.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Tulare
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (regular, per page) — Clerk of Superior Court | $0.50 per page | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Certified copy of court document — Clerk of Superior Court | $25 per document + $0.50 for each additional page | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Certified copy of divorce certificate — CDPH | $18 | Approximately 10–12 weeks standard processing |
| Additional certified copy of certificate (in one request) — CDPH | $5 for each additional copy | Along with the main request |