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Divorce in Sacramento County: courts, costs, and your 2026 options
Sacramento County divorce is filed at the Superior Court's William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse. The filing fee is $435 per petitioner. Starting January 1, 2026, SB 1427 allows both spouses to file a single joint petition using Form FL-700, eliminating the need for formal service and reducing total filing costs for amicable couples.
Quick answer
Sacramento County divorces are filed at the Superior Court, with a $435 filing fee per spouse under the traditional petition process. As of January 1, 2026, SB 1427 allows couples to file a single joint petition using Form FL-700, sharing one $870 total fee and skipping formal service entirely. The mandatory 6-month waiting period applies regardless of which path you choose.
Sacramento family court locations
All Sacramento County family law cases, including divorce, are handled by the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento. The primary family law filing location is the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse. A second location handles smaller cases and initial filings for the southern part of the county.
| Courthouse | Address | Handles |
|---|---|---|
| William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse | 3341 Power Inn Road, Sacramento, CA 95826 | All family law filings, including divorce, custody, and support |
| South County Branch Court | 7007 65th Street, Sacramento, CA 95823 | Smaller family cases, initial filings, mediation services |
| Main Downtown Courthouse | 720 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 | Custody disputes, domestic violence restraining orders, and select hearings |
The filing fee is $435 for the initial petition. If your spouse files a Response, they pay the same $435. Payments are accepted by cash, check, money order, or credit card at the filing counter. If you cannot afford the fees, Sacramento County processes fee waiver requests within five business days for those who qualify based on income or public benefits enrollment.
The 2026 joint petition advantage
For years, California divorce required one spouse to file as the Petitioner and formally serve the other. That process is still available, but it's no longer the only option. Under SB 1427, effective January 1, 2026, Sacramento couples who are willing to work cooperatively can file a single joint petition together using Form FL-700. Both spouses sign and file at the same time, and the act of filing counts as service for both parties. There is no process server, no sheriff's service, and no waiting for proof of service to get your case started.
What SB 1427 means for Sacramento filers
You and your spouse file Form FL-700 together as Petitioner 1 and Petitioner 2. The total filing fee is $870, shared between you. There is no formal service step. The 6-month waiting period begins from the date of filing. Both of you must still complete full financial disclosures.
Either spouse can revoke the joint petition at any time by filing Form FL-720, at which point the case converts to a traditional dissolution. The joint petition cannot be used to request temporary court orders.
The joint petition is a strong fit for couples who agree on the core terms of their divorce before filing. It's not a summary dissolution, which carries strict eligibility limits. SB 1427 opens the cooperative path to any married couple, including those with children, long marriages, and significant assets. Hello Divorce helps Sacramento couples determine whether the joint petition is the right starting point and prepares the Form FL-700 package correctly from day one. Learn more about how the joint petition affects the overall cost of divorce in California.
Sacramento-specific rules and requirements
California family law is set at the state level, but Sacramento County has local rules and court services that affect how your case moves. Knowing them in advance saves time and avoids unnecessary delays.
Residency requirements
To file in Sacramento County, at least one spouse must have lived in California for the past 6 months and in Sacramento County for at least the past 3 months. If you have minor children and want the court to issue custody or support orders, California must also be the children's home state, which generally requires them to have lived here continuously for the past 6 months.
Mandatory custody mediation
If you and your spouse dispute custody or visitation, Sacramento County requires Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC) before any trial can take place on those issues. This service is provided free of charge through the Sacramento Office of Family Court Services (FCS), staffed by licensed mental health professionals.
If you already have a full custody agreement and want it formalized without going to trial, FCS also offers free Confidential Mediation, available without filing a Request for Order. Couples who reach an agreement in this process can submit the mediator's report directly to the court to become an order. This is one of the more efficient paths available in Sacramento for resolving parenting plan disputes without attorney fees. Understanding your options is easier when you review how California child custody laws work.
The 6-month waiting period
California law requires a minimum 6-month waiting period before a marriage can be legally dissolved. This clock starts from the date the Respondent is served (traditional process) or from the date of filing (joint petition). The waiting period cannot be waived under any circumstances. Uncontested divorces in Sacramento typically finalize 6 to 9 months after filing, depending on case complexity and court processing times. Contested matters involving custody hearings or property disputes can take significantly longer.
Explore Sacramento divorce topics
Every divorce is different. Use the guides below to dig into the topics most relevant to your situation. Each page is specific to California law and written in plain language.
| Topic | What you'll learn |
|---|---|
| Divorce cost in California | Filing fees, attorney costs, how to keep expenses down |
| Child custody laws in California | Legal vs. physical custody, joint vs. sole, best interests standard |
| Property and debt division | Community vs. separate property, what gets divided and how |
| Uncontested divorce in California | When you and your spouse agree on all terms |
| Mandatory financial disclosures | FL-140 series, what's required regardless of path |
| Is online divorce right for you? | When it works, when it doesn't, how Hello Divorce helps |
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Schedule your free 15-minute callFrequently asked questions about divorce in Sacramento County
Where do I file for divorce in Sacramento County?
All Sacramento County family law filings, including divorce petitions, are handled at the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse, located at 3341 Power Inn Road, Sacramento, CA 95826. Documents can be filed in person, by mail, or through an approved fax filing agency. A drop box is available during business hours for filings that do not require a same-day processed response.
What is the filing fee for divorce in Sacramento County?
The filing fee for a traditional divorce petition in Sacramento County is $435 per spouse. Under the 2026 joint petition process (Form FL-700, authorized by SB 1427), both spouses share a combined $870 filing fee and there is no separate service cost. If you cannot afford the filing fee, Sacramento County processes fee waiver requests for those who qualify based on income or enrollment in public benefits programs.
Does Sacramento County require mediation for divorce?
Sacramento County does not require mediation for divorce itself, but it does require Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC) before any trial on contested custody or visitation issues. This service is provided free of charge through the Sacramento Office of Family Court Services. Couples who agree on all custody terms can skip CCRC entirely and submit their parenting plan directly to the court for approval.
How long does divorce take in Sacramento County?
California law requires a minimum 6-month waiting period from the date of service (or filing, under the joint petition process) before a divorce can be finalized. Uncontested Sacramento divorces where both spouses agree on all issues typically complete within 6 to 9 months. Contested cases involving custody hearings, property disputes, or support litigation can extend well beyond a year.
Can I use the new 2026 joint petition if we have children or own a home?
Yes. Under SB 1427, the joint petition process (Form FL-700) is available to any married couple, including those with minor children, real estate, and significant assets. This is what sets it apart from summary dissolution, which requires a short marriage, minimal assets, and no children. The key requirement is mutual agreement: both spouses must be willing to resolve all issues cooperatively without seeking temporary court orders during the process.
Sacramento County court resources
The following official resources provide local forms, fee schedules, mediation services, and self-help guidance directly from the Sacramento Superior Court.
- Sacramento Superior Court — Family Law
- Filing and serving your papers — Sacramento Superior Court
- Family Court Services (free custody mediation) — Sacramento Superior Court
- Court fee waiver information — Sacramento Superior Court
- Local court forms — Sacramento Superior Court
- California Courts Self-Help: Divorce (statewide)
References & further reading
Sources cited in this article and recommended for further reading.
- 1. Sacramento Superior Court. "Family Law" — Official family court page with filing instructions, courthouse hours, and current case processing status. Sacramento Superior Court. Accessed March 2026.
- 2. California Courts Self-Help. "Joint petition for divorce or legal separation" — Official Judicial Council guidance on the SB 1427 joint petition process, Form FL-700, and eligibility requirements. California Courts, January 2026. Accessed March 2026.
- 3. Sacramento Superior Court. "Family Court Services" — Description of free custody mediation (CCRC) and confidential mediation services available through the Sacramento Office of Family Court Services. Sacramento Superior Court. Accessed March 2026.
- 4. Hello Divorce. "How much does a divorce cost in California?" — Detailed breakdown of California divorce costs including filing fees, service, mediation, and attorney rates. hellodivorce.com. Accessed March 2026.