Divorce records in Los Angeles County, California, are available through several channels — online tools, the court that issued the decision, the county clerk's office, and the state vital records department. LosAngelesCourt.us will help you find publicly available information about divorce records in this county. Additionally, documents can be requested directly from the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's office (which, however, does not store divorce records) or the California Department of Public Health.
Los Angeles Divorce Records Search
In California, divorce records are kept by the court that issued the decision — in the case of Los Angeles County, this is the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's office explicitly states on its website: it does not register or store divorce records. The collection of court documents includes:
- Divorce judgments / decrees
- Settlement agreements
- Custody orders
- Related procedural documents (petitions, responses, motions)
Separately, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH-VR) maintains a limited database of divorce certificates — only for the period from 1962 to June 1984. For divorces outside this date range, contact the court directly.
Main courthouse (Stanley Mosk Courthouse):
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Los Angeles
Divorce cases in Los Angeles County are handled by the Superior Court — the only court of general jurisdiction in California. There is no separate "family court" as an independent institution here; instead, the Family Law Division operates within the structure of the Superior Court to handle these cases.
After a judge issues a decree, it is stored in the court's Clerk's Office. Copies of divorce judgments can be ordered online through the Divorce Judgment Documents portal or through the general court's online services page. You can also submit a paper request by filling out the ADM080 form (Request for Copies).
Where to Contact Depending on Your Needs
Court record (decree, full case file):
Divorce certificate (Certificate of Record, only 1962–June 1984):
To obtain a certificate from CDPH, you need to fill out the VS 113b form. Note: CDPH only issues a Certificate of Record — this is not the same as the full court decision. If you need the decree itself or related case documents, contact the Superior Court.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Los Angeles
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of divorce judgment — online order through LASC | $0.50 per page (uncertified) | 5–10 business days |
| Certified copy of court document — LASC | $0.50 per page + $25 for certification | 5–10 business days |
| Certificate of Record (CDPH, divorces 1962–June 1984) — mail request | $13 | Up to 15 business days |