File for Divorce Online in Fresno County, California
Fresno requires represented parties to e-file family law documents and runs a short clerk's window — Monday to Thursday until 3 p.m., Fridays until noon. Its judgment rules are strict about formatting, too. MutualFile prepares your California divorce packet so it is complete before you submit it to the B.F. Sisk Courthouse yourself.
File your Fresno divorce online — start free, no lawyer needed.
Get startedFresno Court Information
- Court
- Fresno County Superior Court
- Family Law Courthouse
- B.F. Sisk Courthouse
- Address
- 1130 O St, Second Floor, Fresno, CA 93721-2220
- Filing Fee
- ~$435–$450 (confirm with court)
- Court Website
- fresno.courts.ca.gov
- Online Case Access
- Look up your case
- Phone
- (559) 457-2100
Courthouses Handling Family Law
E-Filing in Fresno
The Fresno County Superior Court accepts electronic filing (e-filing) for family law cases through approved Electronic Filing Service Providers (EFSPs).
Local Rule 4.1.2 states that under Code of Civil Procedure §1010.6(g), documents filed by represented parties in all civil, family law, and probate actions must be filed electronically unless the court excuses them. Self-represented parties are encouraged but not required to participate. Fresno does not funnel everyone through one vendor — it publishes a long list of approved electronic filing service providers, so pick one from the court's own list.
Availability can vary by document type. Check the court website or your EFSP for current eligibility.
MutualFile prepares your Fresno 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 Fresno
The process in Fresno follows standard California divorce procedure:
- File the Petition (FL-100) and Summons (FL-110) with the Fresno 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 Fresno?
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 Fresno?
| 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.
Fresno Family Law Resources
Office of the Family Law Facilitator
On the first floor of the B.F. Sisk Courthouse at 1130 O Street. Walk-in hours are Monday 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. and Tuesday–Wednesday 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.; Thursday and Friday 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. are remote only, by phone or email. Reach it at (559) 457-2143.
Self-Help Service Center (Centro de Recursos Legales)
Also on the first floor at 1130 O Street, with staff who assist in English, Spanish, and Hmong. There is no charge for using the center, though the court charges a nominal fee for self-help packets and for documents prepared or copied at the office.
These services help you understand procedures and forms but do not provide legal advice.
Tips for Filing in Fresno
- 1E-file when possible — the clerk's window has limited hours (closes at 3 PM weekdays, noon on Fridays).
- 2Submit complete, accurate paperwork — errors will cause rejections and delay your timeline.
- 3Start gathering financial documents early — exchange disclosures promptly to keep your case moving.
- 4If you e-file a family law document the court has to mail out — a Request to Enter Default or Notice of Entry of Judgment, for example — the court asks for two printed copies to conform plus stamped envelopes addressed to both parties, received no later than the day before you e-file.
- 5Put the case name, case number, and page number on every page of your judgment. Fresno's Local Rule 5.3.1 states this requirement in capital letters, and judgments involving children are separately cleared to verify any public assistance paid on the children's behalf.
What to Expect After Filing in Fresno
- ✓Family law is on the second floor of the B.F. Sisk Courthouse, 1130 O Street; the Facilitator and Self-Help Center are on the first floor.
- ✓Clerk's office hours at B.F. Sisk are Monday–Thursday 8 AM–3 PM and Friday 8 AM–12 PM — shorter than the building's 8 AM–5 PM hours.
- ✓Self-help staff assist in English, Spanish, and Hmong, and the service is free apart from a nominal charge for packets and copies.
- ✓Fresno's family law local rules are Chapter 5, with Rule 5.3 covering judgments — including separate rules for default without agreement, default with a marital settlement agreement, and status-only judgments.
- ✓Look up your case on the court's public portal at publicportal.fresno.courts.ca.gov.
Processing Times
Fresno County handles a high volume of family law cases as the largest county in the Central Valley. The B.F. Sisk clerk's office hours are Monday–Thursday 8 AM–3 PM and Friday 8 AM–12 PM, which is shorter than the building's own 8 AM–5 PM hours and shorter than other Fresno courthouses. Check fresno.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 Fresno County?
Yes. The Fresno 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 Fresno 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 Fresno 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. Fresno County handles a high volume of family law cases as the largest county in the Central Valley. The B.F. Sisk clerk's office hours are Monday–Thursday 8 AM–3 PM and Friday 8 AM–12 PM, which is shorter than the building's own 8 AM–5 PM hours and shorter than other Fresno courthouses. Check fresno.courts.ca.gov for current processing estimates.
Do I need a lawyer to file for divorce in Fresno 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 Fresno 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.
Do I have to e-file my divorce in Fresno County?
Only if you have a lawyer. Fresno's Local Rule 4.1.2 provides that, under Code of Civil Procedure §1010.6(g), documents filed by represented parties in all civil, family law, and probate actions must be filed electronically unless the court excuses them. Self-represented parties are encouraged to participate but are not required to. Fresno does not designate a single vendor — it publishes a long list of approved electronic filing service providers, so choose one from the court's own list rather than assuming a particular portal.
I'm e-filing a default — does Fresno need anything on paper?
Yes, and this catches people out. Local Rule 4.1.2(A)(6) asks that when you electronically file family law documents the court has to mail to the other party — such as a Request to Enter Default, Notice of Entry of Judgment, or Request for Status Conference — you get two printed copies of the documents to be conformed, plus envelopes with sufficient postage addressed to both parties, to the court no later than the day before you e-file.
What does Fresno require on a divorce judgment?
Local Rule 5.3.1 states that every judgment submitted to the court must have the case name, case number, and page number clearly set forth. It also provides that all judgments involving children are cleared to verify the payment, or lack of payment, of public assistance on behalf of the minor children — which can add a step if your case involves kids. Chapter 5 has separate rules for judgments by default with no agreement, default with a marital settlement agreement, uncontested judgments entered in court, and bifurcated or status-only judgments.
When is the Fresno filing window actually open?
The B.F. Sisk clerk's office runs Monday through Thursday 8 AM to 3 PM and Friday 8 AM to noon. That is narrower than the building's own 8 AM to 5 PM hours and narrower than some other Fresno courthouses, so a mid-afternoon trip on a Friday will not work. The Family Law Facilitator has its own schedule: walk-ins Monday 9 AM–2 PM and Tuesday–Wednesday 9 AM–1 PM, with Thursday and Friday 9 AM–3 PM handled remotely by phone or email at (559) 457-2143.
Start Your Fresno Divorce Online
MutualFile guides you through every step — from interview to court-ready documents, plus instructions for filing them with the Fresno 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 fresno.courts.ca.gov for current information. If you have questions about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.