Divorce records in Imperial County, California, can be accessed through several channels, including online search tools, the court that issued the decree, and the state vital records office. ImperialCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Imperial County. You can also search records directly through the Superior Court of California, County of Imperial, or request certified divorce certificates from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
Imperial County Divorce Records Search
Divorce records in Imperial County are maintained by two separate agencies, each holding different types of documents:
- Superior Court of California, County of Imperial — The court clerk's office keeps the complete case file, including the petition, response, settlement agreements, custody orders, property division orders, and the final judgment of dissolution (divorce decree). These are court records governed by California Rules of Court regarding public access.
- California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Vital Records — CDPH maintains an index of divorce records and can issue certified copies of divorce certificates for dissolutions that occurred in California. The certificate is a summary document, not the full case file.
The primary courthouse for family law matters is located in El Centro:
Superior Court of California, County of Imperial — Main Courthouse
Family law case records are generally public, though certain filings — such as those involving minors or sealed by court order — may be restricted.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Imperial County
In California, divorce (dissolution of marriage) cases are handled exclusively by the Superior Court in the county where the petition is filed. Imperial County has one Superior Court, and all family law cases — including divorces, legal separations, and annulments — are filed there.
Here is where to go depending on what you need:
For Court Case Files (Decree, Pleadings, Orders)
Contact the Imperial County Superior Court clerk's office. The court maintains the original case file, including the judgment of dissolution. You can search for cases online using the court's ROA/Case Lookup tool if you have the case number. For name-based searches, you'll need to create an account through the court's Named Record Searches portal. Parties to a case can also access their own filings through the Online Case Access portal.
Superior Court of California, County of Imperial
For Certified Divorce Certificates (Vital Record)
If you need a certified copy of a divorce certificate — commonly required for remarriage, immigration, or benefits applications — contact CDPH Vital Records. This office issues certificates for divorces that occurred anywhere in California.
California Department of Public Health — Vital Records
You can also request certified copies of divorce records by mail or through an authorized online ordering service on the CDPH website.
Key Differences
| What You Need | Where to Go |
|---|---|
| Full divorce case file, judgment, custody orders, settlement agreements | Imperial County Superior Court Clerk |
| Certified divorce certificate (summary vital record) | CDPH Vital Records, Sacramento |
| Online case number lookup | Court ROA/Case Lookup |
| Online name-based case search | Court Named Record Searches (account required) |
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Imperial County
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce certificate (CDPH — by mail) | $18 per copy | 12–20 weeks |
| Certified copy of divorce certificate (CDPH — online/expedited) | $18 + processing/shipping fees | Varies by vendor; typically faster than mail |
| Court record copy (per page, standard) | $0.50 per page | Same day to several business days |
| Certification of court document | $40 per document | Same day to several business days |
| Name-based record search (online, court portal) | Fee applies per search (paid online) | Immediate results |
| ROA/Case Lookup by case number (court website) | Free | Immediate |