Divorce records in Butte County, California, can be accessed through several channels. ButteCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Butte County. You can also request records directly from the Superior Court of California, County of Butte, the Butte County Clerk-Recorder, or the California Department of Public Health's Vital Records office. Each source holds different types of divorce documentation, so the right starting point depends on what you need.
Butte County Divorce Records Search
Divorce records in Butte County are maintained by two primary offices. The Superior Court of California, County of Butte keeps the official court case files — including the petition, judgment of dissolution, property settlement agreements, custody orders, and all related filings. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Vital Records office maintains divorce certificates, which are shorter summary documents that confirm a divorce occurred.
You can search non-confidential family law case information through the court's online case information portal, which covers family law cases along with civil, probate, and other case types. For copies of specific documents from the court file, you'll need to submit a request to the court clerk's office.
Butte County Superior Court — Clerk's Office
The court also operates a second location:
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Butte County
In California, divorce (dissolution of marriage) cases are handled exclusively by the Superior Court. There is no separate family court system — family law is a division within the Butte County Superior Court. When a divorce is finalized, the judgment of dissolution is entered and retained by the court clerk's office at the courthouse where the case was filed.
After a divorce is granted, the court reports the dissolution to the CDPH Vital Records office, which then maintains a statewide divorce certificate. These are two different documents:
- Court record (judgment of dissolution): The complete case file with all orders, agreements, and the final judgment. Request this from the Butte County Superior Court clerk.
- Divorce certificate (vital record): A summary document confirming the divorce took place, including names, date, and county. Request this from the CDPH Vital Records office.
Which office to contact depends on your purpose:
| What You Need | Where to Go |
|---|---|
| Full divorce judgment or court filings | Butte County Superior Court Clerk's Office |
| Certified divorce certificate | California Department of Public Health, Vital Records |
| Online case lookup (basic info) | Butte County Superior Court online case search |
To request copies of court documents, use the court's Copy Request form. Additional court forms — including address change notices and transcript requests — are available on the court's website.
California Department of Public Health — Vital Records
Under California law, divorce certificates from the CDPH are not open to the general public. Only authorized individuals — such as the parties named in the record, their legal representatives, or certain government agencies — may obtain certified copies. Court records, by contrast, are generally public unless sealed or made confidential by court order. California's Public Records Act and the Judicial Branch's public records policies govern access to court documents.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Butte County
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Court document copy (standard, per page) | $0.50 per page | Varies; in-person requests may be same day |
| Court document copy (certified, first page) | $40.00 | Varies; allow several business days for mail requests |
| Court document copy (certified, each additional page) | $0.50 per page | Included with initial request |
| CDPH divorce certificate (certified copy) | $13.00 | Approximately 12–20 weeks by mail |
| CDPH additional certified copy (same order) | $13.00 each | Same as above |