Quick facts
- Some countries require an exemplified (triple-certified) copy — confirm with the receiving authority before ordering ($50 + pages, §70628).
- Confirm with the requesting party whether they need only the FL-180 judgment or also the MSA / FL-190 — each extra certified document is $40 + pages.
- Never notarize the judgment — a court record is authenticated by the clerk's certification, not a notary.
- General condition rules: no lamination · no post-notarization alterations · no tape · staple multipage · legible signatures/seals.
- Submitting a plain/conformed copy or download instead of a clerk-certified copy.
What to know
Issuing office. The Superior Court clerk (family law / records division) in the county where the legal-separation case was filed. Request method varies by court (in person, mail, or online portal for newer cases). Certified route (how to obtain a certified copy): 1. Gather the case number, both parties' full names as filed, and approximate judgment date. (No case number can trigger a $15 search fee if the clerk's search exceeds 10 minutes.) 2. Request a certified copy of the Judgment of Legal Separation (FL-180) — say it's "for apostille / international use." 3. Pay the fees (see below). Confirm the clerk's seal and signature are present and legible. Who can request it. Legal-separation judgments are generally public records, so anyone may request a certified copy of the judgment (a few sealed/confidential cases require a court order or party status). Required forms. The court's.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly do I order?
A certified copy of the Judgment of Legal Separation (FL-180) from the Superior Court that handled the case.
How much is the certified copy?
$40 (Gov. Code §70626(a)(4)). The $15 divorce-judgment rate does not apply — a separation is not a dissolution.
Is legal separation the same as divorce?
No. You remain legally married; neither party is free to remarry on a separation judgment alone.
Can I notarize it instead?
No — a court judgment must be certified by the court clerk.
Common destinations
Countries this document is most often sent to (pulled from this page's own guidance). Every destination has its own rulebook — apostille (Hague) or full legalization (non-Hague).