File for Divorce Online in Sacramento County, California
Sacramento is one of the larger California counties that does not offer e-filing for family law — its e-filing program covers civil, probate, small claims and unlawful detainer only. That makes getting the paperwork right the first time matter more. MutualFile prepares your court-ready California divorce packet and shows you how to file it at the Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse yourself.
File your Sacramento divorce online — start free, no lawyer needed.
Get startedSacramento Court Information
- Court
- Sacramento County Superior Court
- Family Law Courthouse
- William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse
- Address
- 3341 Power Inn Rd, Sacramento, CA 95826
- Filing Fee
- ~$435–$450 (confirm with court)
- Court Website
- saccourt.ca.gov
- Online Case Access
- Look up your case
- Phone
- (916) 875-3400
Courthouses Handling Family Law
E-Filing in Sacramento
Contact the Sacramento County Superior Court directly for the latest information on electronic filing availability for family law cases.
Sacramento's e-filing program lists four eligible case types — civil, probate, small claims, and unlawful detainer. Family law is not among them, so plan on filing your divorce in person, by mail, or through the court's document depository rather than electronically. Don't confuse Tyler's Guide and File with e-filing either: it is a form-preparation tool, not a way to submit family law documents. Confirm current options with the court before you rely on any of this.
MutualFile prepares your Sacramento 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 Sacramento
The process in Sacramento follows standard California divorce procedure:
- File the Petition (FL-100) and Summons (FL-110) with the Sacramento 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 Sacramento?
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 Sacramento?
| 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.
Sacramento Family Law Resources
Family Law and Probate Self-Help Center and Family Law Facilitator's Office
Sacramento runs these as one combined office in Room 314 on the third floor of the Ridgeway courthouse. You can be helped in person, by appointment, through e-Correspondence, or at the Virtual Front Counter. The court also runs a One Day Divorce Program. Published hours differ between the court's own pages, so call (916) 875-3400 to confirm before you go.
These services help you understand procedures and forms but do not provide legal advice.
Tips for Filing in Sacramento
- 1Don't plan on e-filing your divorce. Sacramento's e-filing program covers civil, probate, small claims, and unlawful detainer — not family law — so budget time to file in person, by mail, or via the court's depository.
- 2Use the depository cutoff to your advantage. Under Local Rule 1.16, a document time-stamped before 5:00 p.m. is filed that day; anything stamped after 5:00 p.m. is deemed filed the next court business day. It cannot be used for documents that must be filed in a specific department.
- 3If you are self-represented, get your agreement or stipulation notarized. Local Rule 5.12 requires a notary for a self-represented party's signature on an agreement or stipulation — an unusual requirement that will get your paperwork bounced if you miss it.
- 4Ask about the One Day Divorce Program at the Self-Help Center — Sacramento runs it specifically to help people finish a divorce judgment.
- 5Call (916) 875-3400 before you travel. The court's published Self-Help Center hours are inconsistent between its own pages, so confirm rather than guess.
What to Expect After Filing in Sacramento
- ✓Family law is at the Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse, 3341 Power Inn Rd, not the main downtown courthouse.
- ✓The combined Self-Help Center and Family Law Facilitator's Office is in Room 314 on the third floor of the same building.
- ✓Sacramento's family law local rules are Chapter 5 of its local rules — including Rule 5.08 on status-only judgments and Rule 5.28 on the mandatory settlement conference.
- ✓Look up your case through the court's online case search; family law records are searchable by name, case number, or filing date.
- ✓One phone number covers Family Law, Self-Help, the Facilitator, and Family Court Services: (916) 875-3400.
Processing Times
Sacramento gives family law its own building — the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse on Power Inn Road, which houses the Family Law and Probate divisions along with the Self-Help Center, Family Court Services, and the Family Law Facilitator's Office. Court review times for judgment packets vary with caseload. Check saccourt.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 Sacramento County?
Contact the Sacramento County Superior Court for the latest information on e-filing availability for family law cases.
How much does divorce cost in Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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. Sacramento gives family law its own building — the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse on Power Inn Road, which houses the Family Law and Probate divisions along with the Self-Help Center, Family Court Services, and the Family Law Facilitator's Office. Court review times for judgment packets vary with caseload. Check saccourt.ca.gov for current processing estimates.
Do I need a lawyer to file for divorce in Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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.
Can I e-file my divorce in Sacramento County?
No. Sacramento's e-filing page lists exactly four eligible case types — civil, probate, small claims, and unlawful detainer — and family law is not one of them. You will need to file in person at the Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse, by mail, or through the court's document depository. Tyler's Guide and File tool is sometimes mistaken for e-filing; it helps you prepare forms but does not submit them. Confirm current options with the court, since programs expand over time.
How does Sacramento's document depository deadline work?
Local Rule 1.16 provides that a document deposited with the court and time-stamped before 5:00 p.m. is filed on the date of deposit, while anything stamped after 5:00 p.m. is deemed filed the next court business day. The depository cannot be used for documents that must be filed in a specific department, so check before you drop something off that is tied to a particular judge.
Does Sacramento require a notary on our settlement agreement?
If you are self-represented, yes. Sacramento's Local Rule 5.12 is titled “Signature of Self-Represented Party on Agreement or Stipulation — Notary Required.” This is a local requirement that does not apply in most other California counties, and missing it is an easy way to have a judgment packet rejected. Get both signatures notarized before you submit.
What is the One Day Divorce Program?
It is a Sacramento program run through the Family Law and Probate Self-Help Center to help self-represented people complete a divorce judgment. Availability and scheduling are set by the court, so contact the Self-Help Center at (916) 875-3400 or through its e-Correspondence or Virtual Front Counter options to find out whether your case qualifies and how to enroll.
Start Your Sacramento Divorce Online
MutualFile guides you through every step — from interview to court-ready documents, plus instructions for filing them with the Sacramento 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 saccourt.ca.gov for current information. If you have questions about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.