Obtaining Copies of ​​Divorce Records

The California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR) maintains divorce records for only 1962 through June 1984.

These records consist only of the face sheet of the divorce action – not the actual divorce decree. CDPH-VR is only able to provide you with a Certificate of Record, which includes the names of the parties, filing date, county, and case number of the divorce. Copies of the actual divorce decree can only be obtained from the Superior Court in the county where the divorce took place.

Processing Times for Divorce Records

CDPH-VR's estimated processing times for copies of divorce records are listed below, which may occasionally increase as the volume of requests increases. The processing time begins when CDPH-VR receives your request.

If divorce occurred:

1962 - June 1984

All Other Years

CDPH-VR cannot provide a Certificate of Record if the divorce record you are seeking falls outside the range of these years.

Requesting a Certificate of Record

• ​Mail-In Request

• County Superior Courts*
  

• *Event must have occurred in county selected