Divorce records in Santa Barbara County, California, are available through several channels. SantaBarbaraCourt.us provides quick access to public information about divorce records in this county. Additionally, the full court records are maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, and divorce certificates for a specific period can be obtained through the California Department of Public Health (CDPH-VR). The county clerk-recorder's office can also assist with individual requests regarding vital records.
Santa Barbara Divorce Records Search
In California, divorce cases are handled by the Superior Court — the only trial court of general jurisdiction. The Family Law Division of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara maintains all case materials: court decrees, property settlement agreements, custody orders, and related documents.
The state office of vital records — California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR) — holds only brief records (divorce certificates) for the period from 1962 to June 1984. These records contain only the fact of divorce, not the full text of the decree.
The court records collection includes:
- Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage
- Marital Settlement Agreements
- Custody and support orders
- Petitions, responses, and interim orders
The main place to search and obtain copies is the Court Records division in Santa Barbara.
Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara — Records Department (South County)
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Santa Barbara
When a judge issues a divorce decree, the court clerk files it in the case. All family cases — divorce, legal separation, annulment — go through the Family Law Division of the Superior Court of Santa Barbara County. There is no separate "family court" as an independent entity in California; it is a division of the same Superior Court.
What you need determines where to go:
- A full copy of the court decree or case materials — contact the court's Court Records division. The easiest way to find a case is through online case number search. If the number is unknown, the system allows searches by party names.
- Divorce certificate for 1962–1984 — request from CDPH-VR at the state level.
- Records before 1962 or after June 1984 — only through the court that handled the case.
Note: According to California court electronic records access rules, remote access to family cases may be limited. Some documents are only available by visiting the Records Department window in person.
Superior Court — North County (Santa Maria Division)
California Department of Public Health – Vital Records
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Santa Barbara
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (non-certified), first 10 pages | $0.50 per page | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Certified copy of court document | $0.50 per page + $40 for certification | 5–10 business days |
| Divorce certificate through CDPH-VR (1962–1984) | $18 | Up to several weeks by mail |