Superior Court of California, County of Solano

Superior Court of California, County of Solano

Fairfield Branch | Vallejo Branch

Family Law

Family Law Courts have jurisdiction over all cases involving dissolution of marriage, legal separation, nullity, paternity, domestic violence, child custody, visitation and support. All documents can be filed in the Family Law Division, located on the second floor of the Hall of Justice, 600 Union Avenue in Fairfield or the Solano Justice Center, located at 321 Tuolumne Street in Vallejo. Filings are accepted Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Family Law Division Clerk's Office. See drop box information below for acceptance of filings after 3:00 p.m.

Effective January 1, 2010, all Family Law matters filed in the Fairfield or Vallejo Court will be assigned as follows:

The Honorable Alesia Jones (Supervising Family Law Judge), Department 22 (Fairfield, Room 302)

The Honorable Cynda R. Unger, Department 5 (Fairfield, Room 301)

The Honorable John B. Ellis, Department 23 (Fairfield, Room 307)

The Honorable David L. Haet, Department 20 (Fairfield, Room 303)

Hours of Operation

Office Hours:

8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding Court holidays

Phone Hours:

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding Court holidays.

Fairfield: (707) 207-7340
Vallejo: (707) 561-7840

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Drop Box Information

Effective November 16, 2009 our office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The number of documents processed per person, law firm or filing agency will be limited to five (5) between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. The only exception to the five document limit will be if there is a statute running. For your convenience, there are drop boxes located in the door to the Civil Division Clerk's Office in Vallejo, and under the stairs on the second floor in the Hall of Justice in Fairfield, for dropping filing documents after 3:00 p.m..

Documents dropped between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. will be file stamped on the same day they are submitted to the drop box. Any required filing fees or a request to waive court fees must be included. If a self-addressed, stamped envelope is provided, endorse-filed copies will be returned to you by mail. If an envelope is not provided, your copies will be available for thirty (30) days in the pick up box located in the clerk's office.

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Solano Legal Access Center (SLAC)

The SLAC office provides assistance completing forms regarding Child Support, Custody, Visitation, Paternity, Restraining Orders and other matters, as time permits. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The office is closed on Wednesdays. More information is available on our website under Court Divisions, Solano Legal Access Center.

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Family Court Services Mediation

Mediation is a meeting between disputing parties and a neutral third person - the mediator - whose role is to assist the parties in reaching an agreement. The mediator does not represent either party, but remains impartial. A mediator is a trained professional assigned to help parents discuss their child's needs and assist them in making a schedule that best serves the child. When parents do not agree on custody and visitation arrangements, California law requires that they attend mediation before the court hearing to try to reach an agreement.

  • In cases where there are sworn allegations of domestic violence, the parties may each meet separately with the mediator. If you choose to meet with the other party, you may bring a support person to the session. This support person is not permitted to participate, but may offer you emotional support. In cases of domestic violence, the Judge - not the mediator - makes a determination as to whether the alleged violence actually occurred.
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Parent Orientation/Education

The Solano Family Court requires that every parent who is to participate in mediation must attend an orientation/education session before the actual mediation counseling. This orientation session prepares the parents by informing them of the nature, goals, and extent of mediation and what each parent can expect from it. Valuable time is thus not taken from the mediator to explain these things. Additionally, the developmental needs of children are discussed, as well as the benefits of cooperation and the negative consequences of parental conflict. Orientation/Education is mandatory and classes are offered two ways:

1. You can attend the parent orientation/education class online by clicking on the online orientation/education class. It takes approximately 20 minutes to complete the online class. Once you have completed the online orientation/education class please complete and print the Certification of Completion. Hand write your case number, your name and date the certificate. Hand deliver or mail a copy of the certificate of completion to the Hall of Justice located at 600 Union Avenue Fairfield CA 94533, Attention Family Law Division, Family Court Services.

To view the orientation presentation online you will need Powerpoint viewer on your computer. You can install PowerPoint viewer by clicking on PowerPoint viewer which will allow you to download and install directly from Microsoft for free.

2. You can personally attend the parent orientation/education class. Both parties must call (707)207-7347 immediately to schedule orientation before your hearing. It takes 30 minutes to one hour to watch the video and receive written reading materials.

Please print a copy of Family Code Section 3044. Both English and Spanish versions are available for your review prior to attending mediation.

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Filing Fees

Filing Petition for Dissolution, Legal Separation, Nullity, Joint Petition for Summary Dissolution, Petition for Child Custody or any other first paper on behalf of Petitioner/Plaintiff $355.00
Filing first paper on behalf of Respondent/Defendant $355.00
Filing subsequent Motion for Modification, Order to Show Cause or other proceeding to modify or enforce a judgment or order of support (no issues of custody or visitation) $40.00
DCSS Cases- Filing first paper on behalf of respondent, claimant, etc. No Fee
DCSS Cases - Subsequent Paper - Filing any notice of intention to move for new trial, any notice of motion; or any other paper requiring a hearing subsequent to the first paper No Fee
DCSS Cases- Motion for Modification, Order to Show Cause, or other proceeding to modify or enforce Judgment or Order of Custody or visitation $65.00
Motion for Modification, Order to Show Cause or other proceeding to modify or enforce a judgment or order of custody or visitation $65.00
Ex Parte Application in a family law matter $40.00
Order to Show Cause forms packet $10.00
Order After Hearing forms packet $10.00
Complaint to Establish Parental Relationship forms packet $10.00
Summary Dissolution of Marriage forms packet $10.00
Dissolution/Legal Separation/ Nullity forms packet $10.00
Emancipation of Minor forms packet $10.00
Domestic Violence forms packet with instructions No Charge
Application and Order for Waiver of Court Fees & Costs forms packet No Charge
Certified copy of any original paper, record or proceeding on file $25.00
Certified copy of a Final Judgment of Dissolution, Nullity or Legal Separation $15.00
Photocopies of any original paper, record or proceeding on file (uncertified) $.50 per page/per side
Search Fee (for records/files) over 10 minutes $15.00 per search
Court Reporter Fees - Per 1/2 day beginning the first day of civil, probate or family law jury trial $222.00
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Family Law Programs

(P.E.A.C.E) Parent Education and Custody Effectiveness Program. Click on the links below for more information on registration.

The Peace Training Program is a parenting education class with a curriculum developed in collaboration with the Fairfield-Suisun, Vacaville and Vallejo Adult Schools with Judicial input to create cooperative and effective co-parenting relationships between parents involved in divorce, legal separation, paternity and custody cases.

The program has been endorsed by the Family Law Judicial Officers and recommendations and referrals are routinely made for parents in high-conflict cases.

If you have been ordered to attend the Peace Program and would like more information about the program click on the Peace Program link in English or in Spanish.

 If you would like to Register now, registration forms are available in both English and Spanish versions by clicking on this link.  

Classes meet Saturdays from 9:00am-12:00pm. Fee: $25 includes booklet.


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