Family Law Case FAQ: How can I view my family law file and search for my case number in Orange County, CA?
How can I view my Family Law file or Search For My Case Number in Orange County, California?
When you have an open case in Orange County, whether you filed the case, or another party has filed a case and named you as the defendant, there will be court records, or files, regarding your case. Any paperwork that you or the other party has filed with the court will be on record, as well as records of anything your attorney, the other attorney, or the court has filed regarding your case.
As a party who is involved in the case, you will usually have access to these files either during the case, after the case, or both. If granting you access to these files could endanger the other party, or if the case involves minors, you may not be granted access to all files at any time. If you have questions about whether or not you have access to court records, you should ask your family law attorney.
Access to case files is usually limited based on the type of case. In Orange County, depending on which of the following types of cases you have, you can find information online about how to access your files.
• Divorces (dissolution), legal separations and annulments are grouped into one category,
• Paternity cases,
• Child support cases,
• Child custody cases,
• Elder abuse and dependent adult abuse cases,
• Domestic violence cases.
While the information below will provide you with general information on whether you can access your case files and how to do it, there is no substitute for professional legal advice from a qualified attorney when it comes down to it. If you have questions, contact your family law attorney in Orange County, California.
Keep in mind that during your case files will be kept by the court for a specific amount of time, so it is a good idea to keep a copy of all files that you receive during your case. The court will have your files on hand throughout the duration of your case, and at least as long as the court orders are valid. Some files are kept for well over 100 years - but always as your lawyer if you have trouble accessing your files.
Limited Access to Case Files
Limited Access to Case Files such as "Paternity Cases" in Orange County California
Some cases, as stated above, allow limited access to case files. Paternity (parentage) cases specifically limit the people who have access to case files because minor children are involved. Other types of family law cases may limit access to certain files, but it will depend on the type of case and the specifics of each case.
Because they are confidential, parentage cases allow only the following people to access or request copies of the court files, and only with valid, legal photo identification.
• Those who are parties of the case,
• The attorneys of those who are parties to the case,
• The Department of Child Support Services, only if they are involved in the paternity case (this includes your local child support agency if they are involved),
• Anyone who has a court order, which specifically allows access to view the court files.
Additional access to paternity case files or other sealed cases
If you wish to access sealed files or court files related to a paternity case and you do not fit into one of the above listed categories, you will need a court order.
If you wish to view the files form a paternity case, you may file a Declaration and Order for Inspection of Confidential Parentage File in order to get the court order that will allow you to view the paternity case files. If you are ready to do this, it is best to ask a family law attorney for assistance. There are specific reasons why paternity cases are sealed, and it can be difficult to gain access to a confidential file without the assistance of a lawyer.
Accessing and Viewing Your Court Files
I want Access to my family law case files in Lamoreaux Justice Center!
Orange County allows access to certain court files both in person and at the courthouse.
You can view certain files online for cases that have taken place since 1990, including the following:
• A list of the documents that were filed during the case,
• A summary of the legal proceedings,
• Information about the involved parties,
• Information about the hearings that took place,
• You may be able to find information on some cases that took place prior to 1990.
Because the online system is relatively new when you consider how long the Orange County court has been keeping records, you may not be able to access everything you are looking for online. If you cannot find what you are looking for, you can request that the court clerk search for you. While you can request that the clerk performs a search on your behalf through the mail or in person, certain documents can only be viewed in the courthouse (either on a computer or a physical copy).
You can also view court files on the public computer terminals at any Superior Court of Orange County Justice Center for cases that have taken place since 1990. Files on the public computer terminal do not require a photo ID for viewing. Like the online court files, certain files may be available for cases that were opened before 1990. The following files are available in the courthouse:
• A list of the documents that were filed during the case,
• A summary of the legal proceedings,
• Information about the involved parties,
• Information about the hearings that took place,
• The actual court documents for cases regarding divorce, legal separation, and annulments that have taken place since 1997,
• The actual court documents and court orders for domestic violence restraining order cases and cases that have been initiated by the Department of Child Support Services since 2000.
If the case that you wish to view does not meet these criteria, you may need to request the documents specifically. You will usually be able to have access to the files within four business days, and they will be available for you to look at or to make copies. You’ll need to call and order the case files that you are looking for. Remember that for these files (and any files not available on the public computer terminal) you will need a valid photo ID.
Obtaining Copies of Court Files
What is the process of Obtaining Copies of Court Files in family law?
Some court files that are available for viewing are also available for copying - but this is made a little bit more difficult when you are viewing digital versions of the files instead of the physical paper version. Copies are not free - you will need to pay for the copies that you order.
Online, you can request and pay for copies of the records for the following types of cases:
• Divorce files for cases since 1997,
• Legal separation files for cases since 1997,
• Annulment files for cases since 1997,
• Domestic violence restraining orders since 2000,
• Cases that have been started by the Department of Child Services since 2000.
If you are looking for cases from before these dates, you may be able to access them and have copies mailed to you. However, you may need to ask the clerk, either through mail or in person, to find the records for you.
At any location for the Superior Court of Orange County Justice Center, you may use the public computer terminals to request the same records listed above that you can find online.
If you are looking for files from dates that are not available online or through the public computer terminals, or if you are requesting copies of your forms in person, you will need to follow a simple process.
• First, fill out a form called a Copy Request.
• You will need to pay a fee of 50 cents per page.
• If you wish to have certified documents, you may need to pay an additional fee.
Requesting copies of the court forms through the mail is simple as well, but it requires a slightly different process.
• You’ll need to start by filling out a form called a Copy Request.
• Calculate the appropriate payment amount, and include payment in the envelope with the Copy Request form.
• Place a stamped, self-addressed envelope that is large enough for the files you are requesting in the envelope with your Copy Request and payment. Make sure that you include enough postage.
• Mail it to the Lamoreaux Justice Center.
• Four to six business days from when the envelope is received, your copies should be mailed out.
Orange County Family Law Attorneys
Orange County Family Law Attorneys are ready to assist you with all your family law needs.
If you are looking for forms that were not from an Orange County Court, the process for obtaining digital versions or copies of court files may vary. If you have trouble accessing the files you are looking for, an attorney may be able to assist you. Your lawyer can also help you get organized during the process of your family law case so that you always have files on hand for any case in which you are involved.
Contact the attorneys at Yanez & Associates to schedule your free initial consultation with a qualified Orange County family lawyer.
