San Bernardino County is the largest county by area in the contiguous United States, stretching from the urbanized valley cities near Los Angeles out through the High Desert toward Nevada. Rather than routing every family law case through one building, the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino splits filings between two districts.
What This Guide Covers: What the San Bernardino Historic Courthouse's Family Law Division is, why the county splits filings between two districts, self-help resources, and what to bring when you file. This is general information about the courthouse itself; for the full California divorce process, see our San Bernardino County divorce guide.
Which District Handles Your Case
The San Bernardino Superior Court's Family Law Division splits filings between two districts. The San Bernardino District, based at the Historic Courthouse, serves the valley region, generally San Bernardino, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Chino, Redlands, Colton, Yucaipa, and Highland. The Barstow District serves the High Desert region, including Barstow, Victorville, Hesperia, Apple Valley, Adelanto, and the county's mountain communities. The court's own filing guidance states the correct courthouse depends on where the parties or the child live.
Filing in the Wrong District: If you file at the wrong San Bernardino County district for your address, your case can be transferred, which delays things. Confirm your correct district on the San Bernardino Superior Court's website before you file.
The Historic Courthouse Family Law Division
The San Bernardino Historic Courthouse, home to the court's Family Law Division for the San Bernardino District, is located at 351 North Arrowhead Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92415. If your address falls within the valley region the San Bernardino District serves, this is where you would file your Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Form FL-100) and related paperwork.
Self-Help Resource Center
Self-represented filers can get procedural help, not legal advice, at the San Bernardino Superior Court's Self-Help Resource Center, which assists with family law matters including divorce, legal separation, custody, and support. Staff can explain court procedure and help with forms, but cannot give legal advice or predict how a judge will rule.
Current hours and appointment requirements can change. Confirm directly on the San Bernardino Superior Court's website, or by phone, before making a trip.
The Barstow District (High Desert)
If you live in the High Desert region, your family law case is filed at the Barstow District instead. Family law matters that were previously heard at the Victorville Courthouse relocated to the Barstow Courthouse in 2021, per the court's own public notice, so High Desert filers, including those in Victorville, Hesperia, Apple Valley, and Adelanto, now file in Barstow rather than Victorville. See our dedicated guide to the Barstow District for that region's address and self-help details.
What to Bring When You File
Wherever your district courthouse is, the paperwork requirements are the same statewide.
- Your completed Petition (Form FL-100) and Summons (Form FL-110), signed where required
- Copies of each form (check your specific 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, including the mandatory six-month waiting period and what happens after you file, 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 San Bernardino Historic Courthouse?
Only if you live in the valley region the San Bernardino District serves, generally San Bernardino, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Chino, Redlands, Colton, Yucaipa, and Highland. The county's High Desert region, including Victorville, Hesperia, Apple Valley, Adelanto, and Barstow itself, files at the Barstow District instead.
Where is the San Bernardino Historic Courthouse located?
At 351 North Arrowhead Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92415, per the San Bernardino Superior Court's own location page, which houses the court's Family Law Division for the San Bernardino District.
Is there self-help assistance at the Historic Courthouse?
Yes. The San Bernardino Superior Court operates a Self-Help Resource Center at this location that assists with family law matters including divorce, custody, and support. Current hours can change, so confirm directly on the court's website before visiting.
Can Virdix tell me whether my case belongs at the Historic 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, whether your case is filed at the Historic Courthouse or the Barstow District. Confirming the correct district for your address is a step you'll want to verify directly with the court, and Virdix is free during our open beta.
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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 locations, self-help hours, 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, Family Law Division (San Bernardino District); San Bernardino Superior Court, Where Can I File; San Bernardino Superior Court public notice, Victorville family law move to Barstow.