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How to file for divorce in Sacramento County (2026 guide)
Filing for divorce in Sacramento County starts at the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse with a $435 filing fee. Under SB 1427 (effective January 1, 2026), couples who agree on all terms can now file a joint petition using Form FL-700, skipping formal service entirely and starting the 6-month waiting period the day you file.
Quick answer
To file for divorce in Sacramento County, you must have lived in California for 6 months and in Sacramento County for at least 3 months. Starting in 2026, couples who agree on all issues can file a joint petition using Form FL-700 under SB 1427, eliminating the need to formally serve the other spouse. The filing fee is $435, paid at the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse.
Step 1: Confirm you meet the residency requirements
California requires that at least one spouse has lived in the state for 6 months and in Sacramento County for 3 months immediately before filing. If you don't yet meet the county requirement, you can still establish your case in a county where you do qualify and transfer it later, or simply wait until the 3-month mark.
If you have children and are asking the court to issue custody and child support orders, California must also be the children's home state. Generally, that means the children have lived here for the 6 months before you file. If they arrived more recently, speak with an attorney before proceeding.
Step 2: Choose your filing path
As of January 1, 2026, Sacramento County offers two ways to start a divorce. The right path depends on whether both spouses are aligned.
| Factor | Traditional petition (FL-100) | Joint petition (FL-700) |
|---|---|---|
| Who files | One spouse files; other is served | Both spouses file together |
| Formal service required? | Yes — by a third party | No — filing counts as service |
| Filing fee | $435 (petitioner) + $435 (respondent) | $435 shared between spouses |
| Best for | Disputed issues, uncooperative spouse, need for court orders | Couples who agree on all terms |
The 2026 joint petition advantage (SB 1427)
Under SB 1427, effective January 1, 2026, couples who agree on all issues can file Form FL-700 together. Because the filing itself counts as service on both spouses, there is no process server to hire, no 60-day service window to track, and no separate response to file. The 6-month waiting period begins the day you submit your paperwork.
Either spouse can revoke the joint petition at any time by filing Form FL-720, which converts the case to a traditional dissolution. You lose nothing by starting cooperatively.
If there are contested issues, domestic violence concerns, or one spouse is unresponsive, the traditional petition (FL-100) is the right path. Hello Divorce's guide to California uncontested divorce walks through eligibility in detail.
Step 3: File at the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse
All Sacramento County divorce filings go through the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse at 3341 Power Inn Road, Sacramento, CA 95826 (phone: 916-875-3400). Business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. A free shuttle runs from the Power Inn Light Rail Station to the courthouse.
You can file in three ways: in person at the courthouse drop box, by mail, or through a fax filing agency. If you use the drop box, secure your filing fee payment to the documents with a binder clip so they don't separate. Payments are accepted by cash, check, money order, or credit card. If you file by mail, include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can return your conformed copies.
Required forms for a traditional petition
File FL-100 (Petition for Dissolution), FL-110 (Summons), and FL-105 (if minor children are involved). Bring originals and three copies. The clerk will stamp and return your copies. For a full list, see Hello Divorce's California divorce forms guide.
Required forms for a joint petition
Both spouses sign and file Form FL-700 (Joint Petition) along with Form FL-710 (Joint Summons). Because both parties appear in the action upon filing, no proof of service is required. Family law forms are not available at the courthouse window; download them from the Sacramento Superior Court website before you arrive.
Can't afford the filing fee?
If you receive public benefits such as Medi-Cal or CalWORKs, or if your income is at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines, you may qualify for a fee waiver under Form FW-001. Sacramento County processes fee waiver requests within five business days. Submit FW-001 alongside your petition when you file.
The Self-Help Center at the Ridgeway Courthouse offers free procedural guidance Monday through Friday. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. They can answer questions about forms and procedures, though they cannot provide legal advice about your specific case.
Step 4: Complete your financial disclosures
California requires both spouses to exchange financial disclosures in every divorce, regardless of how simple the case appears. This is non-negotiable. The petitioner must serve a Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure (FL-140, FL-142, FL-150) on the other spouse within 60 days of filing. The respondent must do the same within 60 days of filing their response.
These documents are not filed with the court. Instead, you file Form FL-141 to confirm that disclosure was completed. A Final Declaration of Disclosure is also required unless both parties waive it in writing using Form FL-144.
The Sacramento Superior Court holds a free Financial Disclosure Workshop to help self-represented parties complete these forms correctly. The court also offers a Judgment Workshop on the fourth Thursday of each month, by appointment, for people who are ready to finalize their case. See Hello Divorce's guide to California mandatory financial disclosures for a complete breakdown of what's required.
Step 5: Wait the mandatory 6 months and finalize
California law requires a minimum 6-month waiting period from the date the respondent is served, or from the filing date for a joint petition, before the court can finalize a divorce. This waiting period cannot be waived or shortened by agreement. Use the time to negotiate a settlement agreement covering property, support, and any custody arrangements.
Once you've reached an agreement and both financial disclosures are complete, you submit a proposed Judgment (FL-180) and the supporting settlement agreement to the court. Many Sacramento couples finalize without a hearing by submitting a complete judgment packet through the drop box. If the documents are correct, the judge signs them and your marriage is legally dissolved.
If disputes arise, Sacramento's Family Court Services offers free mediation for child custody and visitation issues before any trial is scheduled. For broader financial disputes, a private mediator or Hello Divorce's on-demand services can help you reach an agreement before returning to court. Our guide on California property and debt division can help you prepare for those conversations.
Sacramento-specific rules you need to know
Sacramento County requires mandatory mediation through Family Court Services before any trial on custody or visitation issues. This is a free service. If you and your spouse resolve those issues in mediation, you can often avoid a courtroom appearance altogether.
All family law documents must be pre-punched in the standard two-hole position at the top, and submitted in triplicate. If filing by mail, include a self-addressed stamped envelope to get your conformed copies back. The court will not set hearings over the phone.
You can also schedule an online appointment for filing, and the Self-Help Center provides virtual assistance on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. For a complete breakdown of what Sacramento divorce costs, see how much a California divorce costs.
Ready to start your Sacramento divorce?
Hello Divorce prepares your Sacramento court forms, walks you through the joint petition process, and connects you with attorneys and mediators when you need them — all for a flat rate.
Schedule your free 15-minute callFrequently asked questions
How long does a divorce take in Sacramento County?
California requires a minimum 6-month waiting period from the date of service or joint filing before a divorce can be finalized. For uncontested cases where both spouses cooperate and paperwork is complete, many Sacramento couples finish within 7 to 9 months total. Contested cases involving custody disputes or complex assets can take one to two years or longer.
Do I need an attorney to file for divorce in Sacramento?
No. California law allows you to represent yourself, and many Sacramento couples complete their divorce without hiring a full-representation attorney. The Sacramento Superior Court's Self-Help Center provides free procedural guidance. If your case involves domestic violence, significant assets, a business, or a dispute over children, consulting an attorney is strongly recommended. Hello Divorce offers on-demand attorney services for specific questions without requiring a full retainer.
What is the joint petition under SB 1427 and can I use it in Sacramento?
SB 1427, effective January 1, 2026, allows both spouses to file Form FL-700 together as a joint petition in any California county, including Sacramento. Because both parties sign and file together, no formal service is required. This option is available to any married couple who agree on the terms of their divorce, regardless of marriage length, whether children are involved, or the amount of assets and debts. It is not limited to short-term or asset-light marriages as summary dissolution was.
Where exactly do I file for divorce in Sacramento County?
File at the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse, 3341 Power Inn Road, Sacramento, CA 95826. Business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also file by mail or through a fax filing agency. Do not go to the Gordon D. Schaber Courthouse for family law matters — that location handles civil and criminal cases only.
What happens if my spouse won't cooperate or can't be located?
If your spouse refuses to engage, you can still proceed with a traditional petition. File FL-100, have a third party serve your spouse, and if they do not respond within 30 days, you can request a default under FL-165. If your spouse cannot be located despite diligent effort, you may petition the court for service by publication. This involves publishing the summons in a court-approved newspaper for four consecutive weeks and adds roughly 30 to 45 days to the process.
Sacramento County court resources
These official Sacramento Superior Court and California Courts resources are the authoritative source for current forms, fees, and local procedures.
- Sacramento Superior Court — Divorce, Legal Separation & Annulment
- Sacramento Superior Court — Divorce Roadmap (step-by-step)
- William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse — hours and location
- Sacramento Superior Court — Self-Help Workshops (Financial Disclosure, Judgment)
- Sacramento Superior Court — Filing Fee Waiver
- California Courts Self-Help: Divorce (statewide)
References & further reading
Sources cited in this article and recommended for further reading.
- 1. Sacramento Superior Court. "Divorce Roadmap" — Official step-by-step filing guide for Sacramento County divorce cases. Sacramento Superior Court. Accessed March 2026.
- 2. California Judicial Council. "SPR25-21: SB 1427 Joint Petition Rules" — Judicial Council proposal implementing SB 1427 forms and procedures, including FL-700 and FL-710. California Courts, 2025. Accessed March 2026.
- 3. Sacramento Superior Court. "William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse" — Official courthouse location, hours, and services. Sacramento Superior Court. Accessed March 2026.
- 4. Hello Divorce. "California mandatory financial disclosures" — Complete guide to the FL-140 series disclosure requirements in California divorces. hellodivorce.com. Accessed March 2026.
- 5. Hello Divorce. "How much does a California divorce cost?" — Full cost breakdown including filing fees, mediation, and attorney costs. hellodivorce.com. Accessed March 2026.