The Barstow Courthouse is the family law filing location the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino designates for the High Desert region, a role that expanded when family law departments moved there from Victorville.
What This Guide Covers: The Barstow District's address and role, why Victorville family law relocated there, self-help resources, and what to bring when you file. For the full California divorce process specific to this county, see our San Bernardino County divorce guide.
The Barstow District
The Barstow Courthouse is located at 235 East Mountain View Street, Barstow, CA 92311. Under the San Bernardino Superior Court's district system, it is the designated family law filing location for the High Desert region, generally covering Barstow, Victorville, Hesperia, Apple Valley, and Adelanto. If your address falls within this region, this is where you would file your Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Form FL-100) and related paperwork.
Why Victorville Family Law Moved to Barstow
Per a San Bernardino Superior Court public notice, family law matters previously heard in the Family Law departments of the Victorville Courthouse relocated to dedicated departments at the Barstow Courthouse in 2021. That means High Desert residents, including those in Victorville, file their family law paperwork in Barstow rather than at the Victorville Courthouse.
Self-Help Resources
Self-represented filers can get procedural help, not legal advice, through the San Bernardino Superior Court's Self-Help Resource Center services for the Barstow District. Staff can explain court procedure and help with forms like the Petition and Income and Expense Declaration, but cannot give legal advice or predict how a judge will rule.
Current hours and appointment requirements can change, particularly given the High Desert's distance from the county's other resource centers. Confirm directly on the San Bernardino Superior Court's website, or by phone, before making a trip.
If You Live in the Valley Region
If you don't live in the High Desert, your family law case is filed at the San Bernardino District instead, based at the Historic Courthouse, 351 North Arrowhead Avenue, San Bernardino. That district serves the valley region, generally San Bernardino, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Chino, Redlands, Colton, Yucaipa, and Highland. See our dedicated guide to the Historic Courthouse for that district's details.
What to Bring When You File
Filing requirements are set statewide, not by individual courthouse.
- Your completed Petition (Form FL-100) and Summons (Form FL-110), signed where required
- Copies of each form (confirm the Barstow courthouse's current copy requirements)
- The filing fee, or a completed Request to Waive Court Fees (Form FW-001) if you qualify
- A photo ID
For the full statewide filing process, see How to File for Divorce in California Without a Lawyer, and for every form referenced above, see our complete California divorce forms hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I file my divorce at the Barstow courthouse?
If you live in San Bernardino County's High Desert region, generally Barstow, Victorville, Hesperia, Apple Valley, or Adelanto, this is your designated family law courthouse. The valley region, including the city of San Bernardino, Fontana, and Rancho Cucamonga, files at the Historic Courthouse's Family Law Division instead.
Where is the Barstow courthouse located?
At 235 East Mountain View Street, Barstow, CA 92311, per the San Bernardino Superior Court's own location listing.
Why do Victorville residents file in Barstow instead of Victorville?
According to a San Bernardino Superior Court public notice, family law departments at the Victorville Courthouse relocated to the Barstow Courthouse in 2021. High Desert family law filings, including those from Victorville, have been handled in Barstow since that move.
Can Virdix tell me whether my case belongs at the Barstow courthouse?
Virdix prepares the Judicial Council forms your case needs, but confirming your specific district depends on your address and is something to verify directly on the San Bernardino Superior Court's website before filing.
How Virdix Helps
Virdix prepares the California Judicial Council forms your San Bernardino County divorce needs, mapped to what the Barstow District accepts. Virdix is free during our open beta.
Start Your California Divorce Paperwork →
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Virdix is a document preparation service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Courthouse hours, self-help availability, and filing procedures can change; always confirm current information directly with the San Bernardino Superior Court before filing. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed California family law attorney.
Sources: San Bernardino Superior Court public notice, Victorville family law move to Barstow; San Bernardino Superior Court, Barstow District; San Bernardino Superior Court, Where Can I File.