Get Your Certified California Divorce Certificate

You can obtain a California divorce record from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) or the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was finalized. CDPH only maintains divorce records filed between 1962 and June 1984. For divorces outside that window, you must contact the Superior Court directly. CDPH requests can be submitted by mail or online. Court requests typically require visiting the clerk's office or using the court's online portal if available.

A certified copy of a California divorce record from CDPH costs $14. Superior Court fees vary by county and are typically higher. Additional copies ordered at the same time from CDPH may be available at a reduced per-copy rate. Online orders may include convenience and processing fees. If you need certified copies for legal proceedings such as remarriage, immigration, or property settlement, order enough copies to cover each requirement.

A California divorce certificate and a divorce decree are two different documents that serve distinct purposes. Understanding the difference is important so you request the right record for your situation.

A divorce certificate is a summary document issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). It confirms that a divorce occurred and lists basic information such as the names of both parties, the date and county of the divorce, and a state file number. This is the document most commonly needed for legal name changes, remarriage, insurance updates, and government applications.

A divorce decree (also called a judgment of dissolution) is the full court order issued by the Superior Court that finalized the divorce. It contains detailed terms including property division, spousal support or alimony arrangements, child custody and visitation schedules, and any other court-ordered conditions. You would need the decree if a legal matter requires you to reference specific terms of the divorce settlement.

To obtain a divorce certificate, contact CDPH (for divorces filed 1962–June 1984) or the county clerk. To obtain a divorce decree, contact the Superior Court clerk in the county where the divorce was finalized. You can search for your county court through the California Courts website at courts.ca.gov.

Read more about the 9 legal and everyday uses for a divorce certificate to determine which document you need.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) only maintains divorce records that were filed between 1962 and June 1984. If your divorce falls within this date range, you can request a certified copy or a certificate of record directly from CDPH by mail or through an authorized online service.

For divorces finalized before 1962 or after June 1984, CDPH does not have your record. Instead, you must contact the Superior Court clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. Most California counties maintain their own divorce records and can provide certified copies of both the divorce certificate and the divorce decree.

California also offers a divorce verification letter through CDPH. This is a non-certified document that confirms a divorce occurred but cannot be used for legal purposes. Verification letters are available to the general public and do not require proof of eligibility, making them useful for quick confirmation when a certified copy is not necessary.

If you are unsure where your divorce was filed or which agency has your record, start by contacting the county court where the divorce was finalized. The California Courts self-help website at courts.ca.gov/selfhelp provides directories and guidance for locating your local court clerk's office.

Need help ordering? You can start your California divorce certificate application online through Vital Records Online for guided assistance.

Yes. For divorce records within the 1962 to June 1984 range, you can order online through the CDPH vital records portal or through authorized third-party services. You will need the full names of both parties and the date of the divorce. For divorces outside this range, check with the relevant Superior Court, as some courts offer online ordering through their clerk's portal. An authorized applicant may also designate a representative through a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA) to request the record on their behalf.

When seeking a California certified divorce certificate, it's important to understand that each state's vital records office incorporates unique authentication features. The appearance of the certificate can vary depending on the year it was issued.

An official California divorce certificate will typically include several key features: a raised, embossed, or multicolored state seal, printing on secure and specialized paper, and the registrar's signature. Additionally, you will find the full names of both parties, the date and location of the divorce, and a unique certificate number.

The specific features of the certificate can vary depending on county guidelines, leading to different layouts and security measures. Generally, states issue two types of divorce certificates: the long-form (official) certificate and the short-form (informational) certificate.

Full Name of the Person: The full legal names of the spouses.

Date of Birth: The exact date of divorce of the spouses.

State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.

Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the divorce certificate.

Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

In some instances, a certified divorce certificate may also include:

If you need to replace a lost or stolen California divorce record, you can request a copy through the California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR).

To apply by mail, complete the required application form and send it along with payment to:

California Department of Public Health – Vital Records
MS 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899-7410

Include a check or money order payable to CDPH-Vital Records. Once your request is processed, the record will be mailed to you.

Processing times may exceed six months, so plan accordingly when submitting your request.

The California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR) does not publish detailed instructions for correcting or amending a divorce record. For guidance, you may need to contact the appropriate office directly.

Corrections or amendments to divorce records often require legal documentation and may involve the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was filed. Requirements can vary depending on the type of correction requested.

To use your California divorce record internationally, an apostille will be required. These can be acquired through the Secretary of State’s office. Before pursuing authentication with an apostille, you will need to have a certified copy of your California divorce record.

You may choose to manually send your certificates to the California Secretary of State, or you may place an order through VRO. VRO provides apostille services for divorce certificates in California and is legally valid in more than 100 countries. This service costs $149 (plus government fees) and is completed in three easy steps.

1. Complete the VRO Apostille Express online application.
2. Submit the required documents for approval.
3. Receive your apostille document.

We ship apostille documents via FedEx or DHL. International shipping is also available, so you can use this service no matter where you are physically located.

To order the apostille manually, follow these steps:

1. Fill out this cover sheet provided by the California Secretary of State’s Office.
2. Include the divorce record you want to have certified, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
3. Provide payment of $20.00 per apostille requested. A check or money order made out to the “Secretary of State” will be accepted.

Send your documents, along with the payment, via USPS to the following address:

Not just anyone can obtain a certified copy of a California divorce certificate. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) restricts access to authorized individuals, which typically includes the parties named in the divorce record, their legal representatives, or immediate family members with a direct and tangible interest.

To request a certified copy, you must complete a sworn statement confirming your eligibility and provide valid identification. Unauthorized individuals may be able to obtain an informational (non-certified) copy, which cannot be used for legal purposes but can confirm that a divorce occurred.

For more details on eligibility requirements, read our guide on tangible interest vs. public access in vital records requests.

Processing times for a California divorce certificate depend on how you submit your request and which agency handles it. If you order through the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), standard mail-in requests typically take 8 to 12 weeks or longer to process.

If your divorce was finalized outside the 1962–1984 window that CDPH covers, you will need to contact the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted. Court processing times vary by county but are generally faster, often taking 5 to 10 business days.

You can also order through Vital Records Online for faster processing and tracking of your application status.

Yes, if you were previously married, you will typically need proof that your prior marriage was legally dissolved before you can obtain a new marriage license in California. A certified divorce certificate or a certified copy of your divorce decree serves as that proof.

When applying for a marriage license at the county clerk’s office, you will be asked about prior marriages. While some counties may accept a verbal declaration, many require documentation. Having your certified divorce certificate on hand avoids delays and ensures a smooth application process.

Learn more about the 9 legal and everyday uses for a divorce certificate to understand when you may need this document.

California divorce records are generally considered court records, but access to certified copies depends on who is requesting them and the type of record involved.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) restricts certified copies to authorized individuals, which typically includes the parties named in the record, their legal representatives, or immediate family members with a direct and tangible interest. Unauthorized individuals may be able to obtain an informational (non-certified) copy, which cannot be used for legal purposes but can confirm that a divorce occurred.

Court records held by the Superior Court may have different access rules depending on the county. Some case documents may be sealed or restricted by court order. Contact the Superior Court clerk in the county where the divorce was filed for specific access policies.

If you do not know which county your California divorce was filed in, there are several ways to locate the information.

You can start by contacting the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), which maintains a statewide index of divorce records filed between 1962 and June 1984. Even if CDPH does not hold the full record, they may be able to confirm the county where the divorce was filed.

You can also search individual county Superior Court websites for case records. Many California courts offer online case lookup tools. The California Courts self-help website at courts.ca.gov/selfhelp provides a directory of all county courts and guidance for locating your records.

If you still cannot locate the county, you may want to consult a legal professional or records search service for assistance.