Records of divorce in Merced County, California, are available through several official sources. MercedCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about divorce cases in this county. Additionally, records can be obtained directly from the Superior Court of Merced County, which issues divorce decrees, at the court clerk's office, as well as at the California Department of Public Health — the state office for vital records. Below is a detailed guide on how to search, request, and obtain these documents.
Merced Divorce Records Search
Divorce cases in Merced County are handled by the Superior Court of California, County of Merced. The Clerk's Office maintains court records: divorce decrees, property settlement agreements, child custody orders, and other documents filed during the case.
Note: The court's online system does not provide access to family law cases. This means that to search for divorce records, you need to contact the office in person or by phone.
The clerk conducts searches in computer databases, microfiche, microfilm, and indexes. If the search takes more than ten minutes, an additional fee may be charged. Detailed information about the procedure is provided on the court's Records Search page.
Separately, the California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR) maintains divorce records only for the period from 1962 to June 1984. These records contain only a brief abstract, not the full court decree.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Merced
In California, divorces are handled by the Superior Court — the only trial court in each county. Family law cases, including divorces and legal separations, are filed here. Once a judge issues a decision, the decree of dissolution is stored in the court clerk's office. Parties to the case can obtain copies directly from this office.
Where to apply depends on what you need:
- Full court decree, property settlement agreement, custody order — Clerk's Office of the Superior Court of Merced County.
- Brief abstract of divorce (divorce certificate / abstract) for 1962–1984 — CDPH-VR at the state level.
- Divorce after July 1984 — only the court that issued the decision. The state office does not have such records.
To file documents or obtain forms, use the Divorce or Separation section on the court's website. General rules for accessing court records in California are described on the state's judicial branch Public Records page.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Merced
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Court records search, up to 10 minutes | Free | During visit |
| Search over 10 minutes (for each additional 10 min.) | Check with the clerk | During visit |
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 | During visit or several business days by mail |
| Certified copy of court decree | $0.50/page + $25 for certification | During visit or several business days by mail |
| Divorce certificate through CDPH-VR, 1962–1984 | $18 | From several weeks to several months |