Solano County, California Divorce Records
Solano County divorce records are official documents containing information about divorce proceedings handled by the Solano County Superior Court’s Family Law Division. These records serve as legal documentation of the dissolution of the marital union between the two parties. They are also usually required for different official processes, including remarrying and reassuming one’s maiden name after a divorce. Divorce records may also be used to settle marital property and financial-related disputes that may arise following a divorce.
Solano County Divorce Stats: According to the United States Census Bureau 2024 ASC Statistics, of 187,041 males and 188,436 females aged 15 years and older in Solano County, 17% (14,426) and 12.2% (23,035), respectively, were divorced in 2024. By comparison, 8.8% (16,172) of males and 10% (20,004) of females aged 15 years and older in Solano County were divorced in 2023. These statistics indicate an 11% decrease in the number of male divorcees and a 14.08% increase in the number of female divorcees in Solano County in 2024.
Are Divorce Records Public in Solano County?
Yes. Solano County divorce records are presumed public pursuant to California Rules of Court (CRC) Rule 2.400(a). The rule establishes the public’s right to access court records. Generally, most divorce records are categorized as court records and are therefore typically available to the public. Notwithstanding, certain information detailed in divorce records may be exempt from public access due to privacy concerns. These include, but are not limited to:
- Identifiable information about minor children (i.e., names)
- Financial information and disclosures
- Social Security Numbers (SSN)
- Medical and health information
Note: Individuals may also petition for a court order to seal portions of or their entire divorce record. In such cases, the affected information or records will become inaccessible to the public.
How to Find Divorce Records in Solano County
Interested persons may find Solano County divorce records through the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Solano County Superior Court. The CDPH’s Vital Records and Statistics Division maintains certificates of record for divorces finalized between 1962 and June 1984. These records only contain basic details about divorce actions, such as the names of involved parties, filing date, county, and case number. On the other hand, the Solano County Superior Court preserves complete divorce filing and records, including actual divorce decrees.
California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Individuals may request divorce records from the CDPH’s Vital Records and Statistics Division by mail using the Application for Certificate of Record For a Divorce (VS 113B) form (also available in Spanish). CDPH charges an $18.00 fee per copy requested. Acceptable forms of payment include checks or money orders payable to “CDPH-VR”. Requesters may mail the completed application form along with the required fee payment to:
California Department of Public Health
Vital Records - MS 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
Solano County Superior Court
Record seekers may request copies of divorce records from the Solano County Superior Court’s Family Law Division by mail, phone, email, online, or in person. They would need to provide the following information to facilitate their request:
- The case number or
- The full names of both parties and the approximate year of divorce.
They may call the division clerk’s office at (707) 207-7340 to make requests. Alternatively, interested persons may draft a written request, including the aforementioned information to identify the sought-after record, and submit it by email at familydivision@solano.courts.ca.gov, mail, or in person. Mail-in requesters must submit their written request along with other required items. These include a $20.00 check or money order payable to the Solano Superior Court to cover the copy fee of 50 cents per page, and a self-addressed, stamped, and legal-sized envelope. Mail-in and in-person requests must be submitted at or sent to:
600 Union Ave
Fairfield, CA 94533
Meanwhile, individuals may use the Solano County Superior Court’s Case Search portal to look up public information about divorce cases online. However, they must register or log in to access the portal.
| Method | Where to Go | Info Needed | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Solano County Superior Court’s Case Search portal | The case number or the full names of either party named in the record. | Free | Instant |
| In Person | Solano County Superior Court’s Family Law Division | 50 cents per page | Same-day processing may be possible. | |
| familydivision@solano.courts.ca.gov | - | |||
| By Mail | Solano County Superior Court’s Family Law Division And California Department of Public Health (CDPH) | A written request containing the divorce case number or the full names of both parties and the approximate year of divorce. (for Solano County Superior Court’s Family Law Division) And The Application for Certificate of Record For a Divorce (VS 113B) form (for the CDPH) | 50 cents per page (for Solano County Superior Court’s Family Law Division) And $18 per copy (for the CDPH) | 5 to 7 weeks (for the CDPH) |
Overview of the Solano County Court System
In Solano County, the Superior Court’s Family Law Division has Jurisdiction over cases involving dissolution of marriage, nullity, and legal separation. The division clerk is responsible for maintaining information and records, including Solano family court divorce filings, arising from these cases. Interested persons may contact or visit the Solano County Superior Court’s Family Law Division at:
600 Union Ave,
Fairfield CA 94533
Phone: (707) 207-7340
Online Access to Solano County Divorce Records
Interested persons may use the Solano County Superior Court’s Case Search portal to look up information and records about divorce cases online. However, users must register or log in to access the portal. Per California Rules of Court (CRC) Rule 2.523, courts must verify users' identity before allowing them expanded access to electronic court records through the portal. In such cases, individuals must provide any of the following forms of identification for identity verification:
- Driver’s License
- Passport
- Military ID
- State-issued ID
- Permanent Resident ID
- Non-Immigrant
- Visa State
- Bar ID Card
The criteria needed to conduct searches through the portal are case numbers or the first or last names of parties to a divorce. Search results typically include the case’s basic information, filings, parties' details, public documents, and event details.
Alternatively, individuals may find Solano County divorce records online via third-party aggregators. These are privately run websites that have obtained and compiled public records from different official sources, including the Solano County Superior Court. Individuals usually charge a fee to conduct searches or access records through these websites. These fees vary by website. Furthermore, the information and records these sites provide are not always accurate or up to date.
What’s Typically Included in a Solano Divorce Record
Solano County divorce records typically include several documents filed with and generated by the county’s Superior Court Family Law Division during a divorce proceeding. Some examples include:
- Divorce petition
- Summons
- Declaration of financial disclosure
- Assets and debts schedules
- Martial settlement agreements
- Response to the divorce petition
- Income and expense declaration
- Visitation and child custody orders
- Property division order
- Spousal and child support orders
- Divorce decree
- Court hearing transcript
Note: Certain documents and information in Solano Divorce Records may be sealed or redacted. These include, but are not limited to, information that reveals the identity of divorced spouses' children (if any) and financial disclosures
| Information | Available to the Public? |
|---|---|
| Divorce petition | Yes |
| Summons | Yes |
| Assets and debts schedules | Yes |
| Custody arrangements | Yes |
| Declaration of financial disclosure | No |
How to Get Certified Copies of Solano Divorce Records
Certified copies of Solano divorce records are legally valid documents that are required for official use. For instance, a divorcee may need to present a certified copy of their divorce decree to prove that their divorce has been finalized when applying to remarry.
Conversely, informational copies of divorce records are only intended to provide information about divorce proceedings for personal use, such as genealogical research, and cannot be used for official purposes. Generally, certified copies of divorce records are only issued to eligible parties to prevent fraudulent use.
Eligible persons may request a certified divorce decree in Solano County through the county Superior Court Family Law Division. They must provide the case number or the full names of both parties in the divorce and the approximate year of divorce to facilitate their request. Additionally, they may need to present a valid ID for identity verification. The court charges up to $15 per certified copy. Eligible parties may make requests by contacting the court by phone at (707) 207-7340 or by email at familydivision@solano.courts.ca.gov. Alternatively, they can draft a written request containing identifiable information about the sought record. The written request may be submitted along with the required fee (via check or money order payable to the Solano Superior Court) and a self-addressed stamped legal-sized envelope by mail or in person at:
600 Union Ave,
Fairfield CA 94533
| Type of Copy | Use Case | Who Can Request | Legally Valid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Copy | Required for remarriage, name change, enforcing orders issued in the divorce, and resolving legal disputes concerning the divorce | Spouse, attorney, and other authorized representatives | Yes |
| Informational Copy | Genealogy research, personal verification of basic details about the divorce | Anyone | No |
Solano Divorce Records Summary
| Custodian | Available Record Type | Access Method | Fees & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solano County Superior Court Family Law Division (court records) | Full case files of divorce proceedings and divorce decrees | Phone, email, in-person, by mail, and online | 50 cents per page for informational copies and $15 for certified copies. |
| The California Department of Public Health (vital records) | Certificates of record (1962 and June 1984) | Mail-in via Application for Certificate of Record For a Divorce | $18 per copy; includes only summary info (i.e., names of involved parties, filing date, county, and case number) |
| Third-Party Websites | Aggregated records | Online search (paid) | Convenience at cost; accuracy may vary |