File for Divorce Online in San Bernardino County, California
San Bernardino is the largest county in the contiguous United States, and it spreads family law filings across four districts — San Bernardino, Barstow, Joshua Tree, and Needles. E-filing is voluntary here, and judgments cannot be e-filed at all. MutualFile prepares your California divorce packet and shows you how to file it in the right district yourself.
File your San Bernardino divorce online — start free, no lawyer needed.
Get startedSan Bernardino Court Information
- Court
- San Bernardino County Superior Court
- Family Law Courthouse
- San Bernardino Justice Center — Family Law Division
- Address
- 351 N Arrowhead Ave, San Bernardino, CA 92415
- Filing Fee
- ~$435–$450 (confirm with court)
- Court Website
- sanbernardino.courts.ca.gov
- Online Case Access
- Look up your case
Courthouses Handling Family Law
E-Filing in San Bernardino
The San Bernardino County Superior Court accepts electronic filing (e-filing) for family law cases through approved Electronic Filing Service Providers (EFSPs).
E-filing is available for family law cases through approved EFSPs. San Bernardino County participates in the statewide e-filing program. Check the EFSP or court website for current document-type eligibility.
Availability can vary by document type. Check the court website or your EFSP for current eligibility.
MutualFile prepares your San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino
The process in San Bernardino follows standard California divorce procedure:
- File the Petition (FL-100) and Summons (FL-110) with the San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino?
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 San Bernardino?
| 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.
San Bernardino Family Law Resources
Self-Help Resource Centers (DASH)
Free, drop-in help at San Bernardino Historic (ground floor), Fontana (2nd floor, Room F9), Victorville (Suite 100), and Barstow (2nd floor), generally Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Joshua Tree runs on the 2nd and 4th Fridays 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Needles on the 1st Friday 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., and Rancho Cucamonga and Big Bear are remote-only. Staff explain how court processes work and review forms you have completed. The one hard requirement: you must not have an attorney.
Family Law Facilitator
Available on set days at the resource centers — Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. plus Friday until 2:00 p.m. at San Bernardino Historic; Monday and Tuesday plus Friday at Barstow; Thursdays at Fontana and Victorville. Automated phone assistance is at (909) 269-8826.
These services help you understand procedures and forms but do not provide legal advice.
Tips for Filing in San Bernardino
- 1Your judgment cannot be e-filed. San Bernardino lists judgments as ineligible for e-filing, along with stand-alone orders such as earnings assignment orders, income withholding orders, findings and orders after hearing, QDROs, and stipulations and orders.
- 2E-filing is voluntary here, not mandatory. Since February 26, 2024 all court users — attorneys and self-represented litigants alike — are permitted to e-file eligible family law documents through an approved Odyssey eFileCA provider, but nobody is required to.
- 3FileSubmit is going away for family law. The court is discontinuing it on August 5, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.; from August 6, 2026 family law filings and payments must go through eFile, in person, drop box, or mail.
- 4Pick your case category carefully when you e-file. The court makes the filer responsible for designating a new case under the 'Family' category and the correct case type, because that is what restricts public access to your file.
- 5Arrive early at a self-help center — service is first come, first served, the court warns about heavy demand, and you cannot use it if you have an attorney.
What to Expect After Filing in San Bernardino
- ✓Clerk's offices at all four family law filing locations are open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- ✓One spouse must have lived in San Bernardino County at least 3 months and in California at least 6 months before filing, and the correct courthouse depends on where either spouse lives.
- ✓Filing does not make you divorced in six months — you must finish the process and have a judge sign the final judgment.
- ✓San Bernardino uses local judgment forms: SB-12030 (Agreement for Judgment, with children), SB-12035 (no children), and SB-15148 (Request to Set Uncontested Matter).
- ✓Look up your case through the Court Access Portal, linked from the court's Case Information & Documents page.
Processing Times
San Bernardino County is the largest county by area in the contiguous United States. The court handles a significant volume of family law cases. Processing times for judgment review can vary. Visit sanbernardino.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 San Bernardino County?
Yes. The San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino 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. San Bernardino County is the largest county by area in the contiguous United States. The court handles a significant volume of family law cases. Processing times for judgment review can vary. Visit sanbernardino.courts.ca.gov for current processing estimates.
Do I need a lawyer to file for divorce in San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino 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.
Does San Bernardino charge more than $435 to file a divorce?
No — it comes out the same. San Bernardino is one of only three California counties (with Riverside and San Francisco) that add a local courthouse-construction surcharge to first-paper filing fees. Government Code §70624 caps San Bernardino's surcharge at $35, and the Judicial Council's 2026 Statewide Civil Fee Schedule shows the surcharge offsetting the normal state distribution, leaving the total for a family law first paper at $435 — the same as most counties. Confirm the current amount with the court before you pay.
Can I e-file my divorce judgment in San Bernardino?
No. The court's family law e-filing requirements state that judgments are ineligible for e-filing, along with stand-alone orders such as earnings assignment orders, income withholding orders, findings and orders after hearing, qualified domestic relations orders, and stipulations and orders. Since e-filing is voluntary in San Bernardino anyway, plan on submitting your judgment packet in person, by drop box, or by mail.
Which San Bernardino courthouse handles my divorce?
Family law filings are accepted at four districts: San Bernardino (351 N Arrowhead Ave), Barstow (235 E Mountain View St), Joshua Tree (6527 White Feather Rd), and Needles (1111 Bailey Ave). The correct one depends on where either spouse lives. Note that High Desert family law — including Victorville, Hesperia, and Apple Valley — moved to Barstow in 2021, though the court's own phone roster still lists a Victorville family law line, so call before driving.
Are there San Bernardino-specific forms for an uncontested divorce?
Yes. The court publishes local forms including SB-12030 (Agreement for Judgment, with children), SB-12035 (Agreement for Judgment, no children), SB-15148 (Request to Set Uncontested Matter), and SB-12389 (Family Law At-Issue Memorandum for Trial Setting). These sit alongside the statewide Judicial Council forms — check the court's local forms page for the current revisions.
Start Your San Bernardino Divorce Online
MutualFile guides you through every step — from interview to court-ready documents, plus instructions for filing them with the San Bernardino 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 sanbernardino.courts.ca.gov for current information. If you have questions about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.