File for Divorce Online in Contra Costa County, California
Contra Costa runs family law out of its own building — the Peter L. Spinetta Family Law Center on Pine Street in Martinez, not the main Wakefield Taylor Courthouse — and assigns your case to a single judicial department the day you file. MutualFile prepares your California divorce paperwork and shows you exactly how to file it there yourself.
File your Contra Costa divorce online — start free, no lawyer needed.
Get startedContra Costa Court Information
- Court
- Contra Costa County Superior Court
- Family Law Courthouse
- Peter L. Spinetta Family Law Center
- Address
- 751 Pine St, Martinez, CA 94553
- Filing Fee
- ~$435–$450 (confirm with court)
- Court Website
- contracosta.courts.ca.gov
- Phone
- (925) 608-1000
Courthouses Handling Family Law
E-Filing in Contra Costa
The Contra Costa County Superior Court accepts electronic filing (e-filing) for family law cases through approved Electronic Filing Service Providers (EFSPs).
Family law e-filing became mandatory for attorneys on July 5, 2022. Under Local Rule 2.87 and the court's E-Filing Standing Order, represented parties must e-file while self-represented litigants may e-file but are not required to. Filings go through the court's Odyssey eFileCA portal. Watch the fee selection when you e-file — the court warns that a Request for Order should use the $435 first-appearance option rather than the $60 motion option if a first-appearance fee has not yet been assessed.
Availability can vary by document type. Check the court website or your EFSP for current eligibility.
MutualFile prepares your Contra Costa divorce forms so they are court-ready, then walks you through exactly how to submit them — whether you e-file through an EFSP, file in person, or file by mail. You file with the court yourself; we make sure the paperwork is complete before you do.
The Divorce Process in Contra Costa
The process in Contra Costa follows standard California divorce procedure:
- File the Petition (FL-100) and Summons (FL-110) with the Contra Costa County Superior Court
- Serve your spouse with the filed documents
- Exchange financial disclosures (FL-140, FL-142, FL-150)
- Spouse has 30 days to respond after being served
- Reach a settlement agreement or proceed through court proceedings
- Submit the Judgment (FL-180) for the court to review and sign
- The 6-month waiting period must pass before the divorce is final
For a full walkthrough, see our step-by-step California divorce guide.
Filing together in Contra Costa?
If you and your spouse both want the divorce, California's Joint Petition (SB 1427) lets you file as co-petitioners — no process server, and no one has to be “served.” See how the California Joint Petition works.
How Much Does Divorce Cost in Contra Costa?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Court filing fee (Petition) | ~$435–$450 |
| Court filing fee (Response) | ~$435–$450 |
| MutualFile document preparation | Starting at $199 |
Fee waivers are available if you cannot afford the filing fee — file form FW-001 with the court. See our full California divorce cost breakdown for more details.
Contra Costa Family Law Resources
Family Law Facilitator's Office
Helps with completing forms and gives procedural guidance across most of family law — including dissolution, legal separation, nullity, child and spousal support, custody, visitation, and parentage. It does not help with adoptions, guardianships, name changes, discovery, subpoenas, depositions, appeals, or QDROs and complex property or support issues. Located at 751 Pine Street in Martinez, with a drop-in help desk Monday–Friday 8:00–11:30 a.m., self-help appointments Monday–Friday 12:30–4:00 p.m., and LiveChat Tuesday–Friday 1:00–4:00 p.m. Note that the office's phone line is not currently active — use drop-in, an appointment, or LiveChat.
These services help you understand procedures and forms but do not provide legal advice.
Tips for Filing in Contra Costa
- 1Go to Pine Street, not Court Street. Contra Costa family law runs out of the Peter L. Spinetta Family Law Center at 751 Pine Street in Martinez — a different building from the county's main Wakefield Taylor Courthouse.
- 2Don't call the Family Law Facilitator — the office says its phone line is not currently active. Use the morning drop-in help desk, book a self-help appointment, or use LiveChat in the afternoon.
- 3Use the drop box if you can't make the counter. Anything deposited at the Spinetta Family Law Center between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. is deemed filed that same day, while the clerk windows close at 4:00 p.m.
- 4If you drop off or mail your filing, include the originals, two copies, your fees or fee waiver application, and a self-addressed stamped envelope with enough postage to get your conformed copies back.
- 5Check residency first: one or both spouses must have lived in Contra Costa County for at least the last 3 months and in California for at least 6 months.
What to Expect After Filing in Contra Costa
- ✓The family law filing counter is on the 1st floor, just inside the Spinetta building on the left; clerk windows are open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- ✓Family law staff accept all family law filings except requests for temporary emergency orders and domestic violence restraining order papers.
- ✓Your case is randomly assigned to a judicial department at initial filing and stays with it — Contra Costa uses direct calendaring.
- ✓To file by mail, send to Contra Costa County Superior Court, 751 Pine Street, P.O. Box 911, Martinez, CA 94553, Attn: Clerk's Office.
- ✓E-filing is mandatory for attorneys and optional if you represent yourself.
Processing Times
Contra Costa uses direct calendaring: when you file your petition the case is randomly assigned to a specific judicial department, and that department handles it throughout. The Spinetta Family Law Center houses five of the county's seven family law courtrooms. Check contracosta.courts.ca.gov for current processing estimates.
California has a mandatory 6-month waiting period. In a traditional divorce it runs from the date your spouse is served; in a joint petition (SB 1427) it runs from the date you file, because there is no service step. Either way this is the legal minimum — no divorce can be finalized before this period passes, regardless of how quickly you complete your paperwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file for divorce online in Contra Costa County?
Yes. The Contra Costa County Superior Court accepts e-filing for family law cases. You complete the entire interview online with MutualFile and get court-ready forms, then submit them to the court yourself — by e-filing through an approved EFSP, in person, or by mail. Availability can vary by document type — check the court website for current eligibility.
How much does divorce cost in Contra Costa County?
Under the Judicial Council's 2026 statewide civil fee schedule the court filing fee is $435 for the Petition and $435 for the Response in most California counties. Riverside and San Francisco charge $450 because of a local courthouse-construction surcharge, and a joint petition carries a single $870 fee covering both spouses instead of two separate first-paper fees. Confirm the current amount with the court before you pay. MutualFile's document preparation service starts at $199, and you file the completed forms with the court yourself. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify.
How long does divorce take in Contra Costa County?
California has a mandatory 6-month waiting period. In a traditional divorce it runs from the date your spouse is served; in a joint petition (SB 1427) it runs from the date you file. This is the legal minimum. The total timeline depends on how quickly you complete paperwork, exchange disclosures, and reach an agreement. Contra Costa uses direct calendaring: when you file your petition the case is randomly assigned to a specific judicial department, and that department handles it throughout. The Spinetta Family Law Center houses five of the county's seven family law courtrooms. Check contracosta.courts.ca.gov for current processing estimates.
Do I need a lawyer to file for divorce in Contra Costa County?
No. You are not required to have a lawyer for an uncontested divorce in California. Many people successfully file on their own or with the help of a document preparation service like MutualFile. If your case involves complex issues, consulting an attorney is recommended.
What forms do I need to file for divorce in Contra Costa County?
The basic forms include the Petition (FL-100), Summons (FL-110), and if you have children, the Declaration Under UCCJEA (FL-105). You'll also need financial disclosure forms (FL-140, FL-142, FL-150) and a final Judgment (FL-180). MutualFile generates all required forms automatically based on your answers.
Which Martinez courthouse do I file my divorce in?
The Peter L. Spinetta Family Law Center at 751 Pine Street, not the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse. Contra Costa gives family law its own building, which houses five of the county's seven family law courtrooms along with the Family Law Facilitator's Office. The filing counter is on the 1st floor, just inside on the left, and clerk windows are open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Can I file my Contra Costa divorce without going to court?
Yes, three ways. You can e-file through the court's Odyssey eFileCA portal (optional for self-represented parties, mandatory for attorneys); use the drop box at the Spinetta Family Law Center, where anything deposited between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. is deemed filed that day; or mail your papers to Contra Costa County Superior Court, 751 Pine Street, P.O. Box 911, Martinez, CA 94553, Attn: Clerk's Office. For the drop box and mail options, include originals, two copies, your fees or fee waiver application, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
What is direct calendaring in Contra Costa?
It means one judge follows your case from start to finish. The court states that upon the initial filing of a family law petition, the case is randomly assigned to a specific judicial department, which it says ensures consistency in how the case is handled. Practically, you will deal with the same department for every hearing rather than drawing a different judge each time.
What can the Contra Costa Family Law Facilitator actually help me with?
Form completion and procedural guidance across most of family law, including dissolution, legal separation, nullity, child and spousal support, custody, visitation, and parentage. It explicitly cannot help with adoptions, guardianships, termination of parental rights, name changes, bankruptcy or foreclosure, discovery, subpoenas or depositions, appeals, or QDROs and complex property or support issues — and it does not prepare you for a settlement conference, case management conference, or trial. The office's phone line is not currently active, so use the drop-in desk, an appointment, or LiveChat.
Start Your Contra Costa Divorce Online
MutualFile guides you through every step — from interview to court-ready documents, plus instructions for filing them with the Contra Costa County Superior Court.
Start your case for freeFile for Divorce in Other California Counties
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Court procedures and processing times may change. Visit contracosta.courts.ca.gov for current information. If you have questions about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.