Legal Question in Family Law in California

Sealed Records

Can you marriage license and divorce be sealed during or after the divorce is final


Asked on 10/29/02, 7:07 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

E. Daniel Bors Jr. Attorney & Counselor At Law

Re: Sealed Records

Dear Inquirer:

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If you haven't already done so, please visit my

web site at --

http://home.pacbell.net/edbjr/ OR

http://www.CaliforniaDivorceAttorney.com

The site contains quite a bit of general information about California Family Law, Tenants' Rights, and Juvenile Dependencies, as well as information about me (education, experience, et cetera) and my office (location, hours, fees, policies).

NOW, IN RESPONSE TO YOUR INQUIRY --

See California Family Code s 500 et seq. regarding "confidential marriage." Normally, marriage records cannot be "sealed" after the fact. Similarly, dissolution documents filed with the court cannot be sealed either. If there is "good cause" portions of the dissolution file (i.e., specific identifying information such social security numbers, credit card numbers, income information, property valuaations, and third party information) may be omitted from the public record or filed under seal. Again, this is not normally possible "after the fact."

Thanks for sharing your interesting inquiry with us on LawGuru, and good luck with your case.

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Answered on 10/30/02, 5:36 pm
Brian Levy, Esq. Law Office of Brian Don Levy

Reply: Sealed Records

Divorce records are generally not sealed. They are public records. There is a confidential marriage license which is not a public record.

Good luck to you!

Brian Levy, Esq.

Law Offices of Brian Don Levy

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Answered on 10/29/02, 7:52 pm


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