Obtaining Certified Copies of Divorce Records
in California
Note: The California Department of Public Health Office of Vital Records does not collect or maintain information about whether a marriage was between individuals of the opposite sex or the same sex.
New Law Effective January 1, 2010
Effective January 1, 2010, the process for requesting certified copies of marriage certificates will change. The changes are as follows:
At this time, the Office of Vital Records can only accept orders submitted by mail. Please follow the 5 Steps listed below to place your order with the Office of Vital Records.
Step 1 – Determine whether California divorce record you want is available from the Office of Vital Records
- California Divorce Records. Certified copies of actual divorce decrees are only available from the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was filed. The Office of Vital Records can only issue a Certificate of Record - and only for divorces that occurred between 1962 and June 1984. A Certificate of Record includes the names of the parties to the divorce, the county where the divorce was filed, and the court case number. A Certificate of Record is not a certified copy of the divorce decree, and does not indicate whether the divorce was ever finalized in court. Our processing times can easily exceed 6 months.
For more information about obtaining these records from the county, contact the county offices directly. Contact information can be found on the following web pages:
Recorders’ Offices
California Superior Courts
Step 2 – Determine whether you can obtain an authorized copy or an informational copy
In the State of California, authorized copies of vital records can only be obtained by the individual named on the record, parents of the individual named on the record, and certain other individuals or entities specified in law. All other requestors can only obtain informational copies. All copies issued are “certified copies.”
Step 3 – Download pamphlet for obtaining certified copies of marriage & divorce records.
Pamphlet for Obtaining Certified Copies of California Marriage & Divorce Records (PDF)
Step 4 – Download and complete the application form if ordering a public marriage record or Certificate of Record from the Office of Vital Records
Application for Certified Copy of California Public Marriage or Divorce Record (PDF)
Step 5 – Determine certified copy fee
A certified copy fee must accompany all requests for copies of vital records. Requests received without the appropriate fee will be returned to the sender. Make your check or money order payable to the Office of Vital Records. Checks must be drawn on a United States bank. Money orders must be drawn on a United States bank or issued by the United States Postal Service. Do not send cash. If no record is found, we will issue a Certificate of No Public Record and retain the fee for the search according to State law.
California Vital Records Fees
Step 6 – Mail your request to the Office of California Vital Records
Include completed application form and check or money order for the certified copy fee.* Do not send cash. Mail to:
California Office of Vital Records
MS 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
If using a courier service, and the courier service does not deliver to a Post Office Box, please use the following address:
California Office of Vital Records
MS 5103
1501 Capitol Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95814
*Note: Fees are deposited upon receipt.
California Divorce Records
Certified copies of divorce decrees are available only from the Superior Court in the county where the decree was granted.