San Diego County California Same-Day Court E-Filing

Experienced in San Diego County California Court E-Filing, Same Day In-Person Court Filing, Process Services, and Locate Searches

What is e-filing of court cases?

An e filing system has been rolled out for the electronic filing of legal papers in California. This allows lawyers and interested parties to access and upload legal documents related to their court cases from any location 24X7 which makes coming to the court for filing of papers unnecessary.

Civil e-Filing at the Superior Court of California in San Diego County
Probate e-Filing at the Superior Court of California in San Diego County
Family Law e-Filing at the Superior Court of California in San Diego County
Family Support Division e-Filing at the Superior Court of California in San Diego County

CIVIL COURT CASES EFILING

Mandatory/Permissive E-Filing:

Effective April 15, 2021, pursuant to the General Order of the Presiding Department: In Re Procedures Regarding Electronically Imaged Court Records, Electronic Filing, and Access to Electronic Court Records in Civil and Probate Cases, and San Diego Superior Court (SDSC) Local Rule 2.1.4, all filings submitted by attorneys for represented parties in all limited and unlimited civil case types must be submitted electronically through one of the court’s approved e-filing service providers (“EFSPs”) such as E-FILE Expert™, with exceptions for specific documents.

E-filers are required to comply with the e-filing filing requirements listed in SDSC form number CIV-409 (“E-Filing Requirements (Civil)”). CIV-409 also contains the list of documents that are ineligible for e-filing. Self-represented litigants are not required to e-file, but are strongly encouraged to participate voluntarily and may file through E-FILE Expert™.

It is the duty of the plaintiff or petitioner (and cross-complainant) to serve a copy of the above-referenced General Order and SDSC form number CIV-409, both available on this website, with the complaint/petition or other case-initiating documents (and cross-complaint).

Documents that are determined to be unacceptable for e-filing by the court due to e-filing system restrictions or for failure to comply with these requirements will be rejected, subject to being allowed to be filed nunc pro tunc to the original submittal date, upon ex-parte application to the court and upon good cause shown.

It is the duty of the plaintiff or petitioner (and cross-complainant) to serve a copy of the San Diego Superior Court General Order: In Re Procedures Regarding Electronically Imaged Court Records, Electronic Filing and Access to Electronic Court Records in Civil and Probate Cases along with a copy of this form, Electronic Filing Requirements (Civil) (SDSC Form

#CIV-409), with the complaint/petition or other case-initiating document (and cross-complaint).

MANDATORY AND PERMISSIVE E-FILING

Effective April 15, 2021, filings submitted by attorneys for represented parties in limited and unlimited civil actions must be submitted electronically through one of the court’s approved electronic filing service providers such as E-FILE Expert™ (EFSPs), with limited exceptions for certain documents (see below list of ineligible documents). E-filing is also encouraged, but not mandated, for self-represented litigants, unless otherwise ordered by the court.

Any request to be excused from the mandatory e-filing requirements must be submitted in writing and may be made by exparte application to the judge or department to whom the case is assigned. The clerk will not accept or file any documents

in paper form that are required to be filed electronically, absent a court order allowing the filing.

All documents e-filed must be electronically served on all parties in the case pursuant to Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.251(c). In all e-filed cases, the court will maintain and make available an official electronic service (e-service) list through the court’s EFSPs. This is the service list the court will use to serve documents on the parties. (See Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.251(e).) E-FILE Expert™ is an EFSP and can help you electronically file all documents or file them personally with the clerk of the court at your corresponding courthouse.

By filing electronically, the party is consenting to e-service unless the court excuses a party from doing so. Parties must

provide the EFSP with their correct contact information, including an updated email address, in each e-filed case. New

parties must provide E-FILE Expert™ with their email address for that case within seven (7) days of filing their first document or joining the case, whichever is earlier. A party whose email address changes must, within seven (7) days of the change,

notify E-FILE Expert™, file a Notice of Change of Electronic Service Address (JC Form #EFS-010) electronically, and serve the

notice electronically on all parties required to be served. (See Cal. Rules of Court, rule, 2.251(g)(1).) Failure to keep an email address updated may result in the court being unable to provide notice to a non-complying party of upcoming

hearings, orders, and other proceedings.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL E-FILERS

E-filed documents may only be filed through one of the court’s approved EFSPs. E-filers must comply with Cal. Rules of Court, rules 2.250-2.261. Also, all documents e-filed must be in a pdf format using Adobe Acrobat version 7 or higher, and must be in a text-searchable format (i.e., optical character recognition (OCR)). The court in San Diego County is unable to accept documents that do not comply with these requirements, nor documents with certain characteristics, including, but not limited to: forms with fillable fields, a negative image, or an image that is saved as an ‘object’ on the filed document.

E-filers are required to enter all parties listed on the document being filed if the party is not already a part of the case. (If the e-filer is submitting a new complaint, ALL parties must be entered.) If all parties are not entered, the transaction will be rejected.

Documents that contain exhibits must be bookmarked, as set forth on the EFSP’s site. Documents not so bookmarked,

including moving papers containing non-compliant exhibits, shall be rejected and/or not considered. (See Cal. Rules of

Court, rule 3.1110(f).) SDSC CIV-409 (Rev. 5/22) ELECTRONIC FILING REQUIREMENTS (CIVIL) Code Civ. Proc., § 1010.6

Informational Form Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.250 et seq.

Exhibits to be considered via a “Notice of Lodgment” shall not be attached to the e-filed “Notice of Lodgment;” instead, the submitting party must provide the assigned department with copies in paper form of the exhibits with a copy of the “Notice of Lodgment” that includes the e-filing Transaction ID number noted in the upper right-hand corner.

Exhibits to declarations that are real objects (i.e., construction materials, core samples, etc.) or other documents (i.e.,

plans, manuals, etc.), which otherwise may not be comprehensibly viewed in an electronic format must be lodged and will

not be filed.

All documents must be uploaded as individual documents within the same transaction unless filing a motion. Example: A

“Request to Waive Court Fees” must be uploaded separately from the document to which it applies (i.e., complaint, answer

or other responsive pleadings, motion, etc.) If filing a notice of motion, all supporting documents may be scanned and

uploaded as one document under a filing that most closely captures the type of motion. All filings and exhibits within these filings must be bookmarked.

Unless otherwise required by law, pursuant to Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1.201(a), only the last four digits of a social security or financial account number may be reflected in court case filings. Exclusion or redaction is the responsibility of the e-filer, not the clerk. (See Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1.201(b)). Failure to comply with this requirement may result in monetary sanctions pursuant to Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.30(b).

To maintain confidentiality and ensure all redactions are appropriately applied, it is important that the submitting

party remove metadata. Metadata is hidden information embedded within a document that may reveal a document’s revision history, earlier drafts, information about the document’s author, file name, file path, date of creation, etc. This information is still available and accessible even if the document was converted to a PDF. It is the submitting party’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with metadata and how to remove it properly.

Proposed filings, such as proposed court orders and amended complaints, should be e-filed as an exhibit and then resubmitted as a separate and new e-filing transaction after the court has ruled on the matter. (See Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1312 and SDSC Local Rules, rule 2.1.2(D).)

The court does not require that a version of the proposed order, in an editable word-processing format, be submitted in

accordance with Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1312 (c). All documents submitted via e-filing are considered editable; however, a separate editable version may be submitted to efile@sdcourt.ca.gov. If e-filing a negotiable instrument pursuant to Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1806, the court may, in its discretion, deem the electronic version the original and order it canceled and merged into the judgment.

Any document filed electronically shall be considered filed with the court when it is first transmitted to the EFSP, and the transmission is completed, except that any document filed on a day that the court is not open for business, or after 11:59:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on a day the court is open for business, will be deemed to have been filed on the next court day.

E-filed documents must be correctly named and/or categorized by “Document Type.” The lead document must also be

designated appropriately, as the lead document determines how the transaction will be prioritized in the work queue.

Failure to correctly name the document and/or designate the lead document appropriately may result in a detrimental delay

in the processing of the transaction.

ASSESSMENT OF FILING FEES

When submitting a filing through the EFSP, the e-filer authorizes E-FILE Expert™ to charge the full amount of the transaction,

including any statutory court fees that may be due. For example, if a stipulation is submitted, along with the statutory filing fee for stipulations, if there are any outstanding first appearance fees for any or all of the parties due on the case, the clerk may assess those fees in addition to or instead of the stipulation fee. The EFSP has the sole discretion to determine the fees charged for using its website or services.

DOCUMENTS INELIGIBLE FOR E-FILING

The following documents are not eligible for e-filing in cases subject to either mandatory or permissive filing, and shall

be filed in paper form, E-FILE Expert™ can help you file court documents in-person same-day with our expedited court services:

• Application for Order Declaring Information on Affidavit of Voter Registration Confidential and Order.

• Civil Harassment Temporary Restraining Order (TRO)/Restraining Order (RO). (All filings in this case type)

• Confidential documents lodged conditionally under seal.

• Elder Abuse TRO/RO. (All filings in this case type)

• Gun Violence Emergency Protective Order. (All filings in this case type)

• Gun Violence TRO/RO. (entire case type)

• Interpleader actions pursuant to Code Civ. Proc., § 2924j.

• Notice of Appeal of Labor Commissioner.

• Out-of-State Commission Subpoenas.

• Private Postsecondary School Violence Prevention TRO/RO. (All filings in this case type)

• Safe at Home Name Change Petitions. (All filings in this case type)

• Settlement Conference Briefs (to be lodged only).

• Stand-alone exhibits.

• Transitional Housing Program Misconduct TRO/RO. (All filings in this case type)

• Undertaking/Surety Bonds.

• Warrants.

• Workplace Violence TRO/RO. (All filings in this case type)

The following documents shall be filed in paper form, unless the court expressly directs otherwise:

• Documents filed under seal or provisionally under seal pursuant to Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.551.

• New Complaints/Petitions filed designating the plaintiff/petitioner as a pseudonym pursuant to Cal. Rules of

Court, rule 2.551 (any request for a sealing order in connection with such a filing must also be filed in paper

form).

o Filings submitted pursuant to Code Civ. Proc., § 367.3.

o Filings submitted pursuant to Civil Code, § 1708.85.

o Filings submitted pursuant to Code Civ. Proc., § 527.6(v).

o Filings submitted pursuant to Government Code, § 12652.

o Or any other initial filing wherein sealing orders are requested.

DOCUMENTS DISPLAYED ON THE PUBLIC-FACING REGISTER OF ACTIONS

Any documents submitted for e-filing (and accepted) will be filed and displayed on the San Diego Superior Court’s

public-facing Register of Actions with the exception of the following documents:

• CASp Inspection Report.

• Confidential Cover Sheet False Claims Action.

• Confidential Statement of Debtor’s Social Security Number.

• Financial Statement.

• Disability Accommodation Request and Court’s Response.

• Defendant/Respondent Information for Order Appointing Attorney Under Service Members Civil Relief Act.

• Request to Waive Court Fees.

• Request to Waive Additional Court Fees.

Documents not included in the list above, that are intended to be kept confidential, should NOT be e-filed with the

court.

CIVIL EFILING FAQ

Can I eFile documents for a Construction Defect case assigned to San Diego Superior Court using E-FILE Expert™ court efile service?

Effective June 2, 2014, mandatory electronic filing through the court’s E-File Service Providers such as E-FILE Expert™.

How do I enter Does and Roes?

Do not enter Does and Roes as parties. You are only required to enter parties that have been named in the case.

Does the party I enter have to match the Complaint verbatim?

Yes. You need to enter the party exactly as it appears on the Complaint.

What do I do if my party is named in the action with an “aka”, “dba”, etc?

Enter the Alternate Name by selecting the appropriate name from the drop down menu. (The only exception is adding an individual as the party with a DBA, as the Organization Name field will not display.

When filling out the firm information, can I enter my own email rather than my attorney’s email if I would like the court to contact me?

Yes. You may enter either your attorney’s email address or your email address, depending upon who you would like the court to contact regarding your filing.

Are litigants able to eFile in Limited Civil cases?

Yes, e-filing is available and encouraged by the Court.

What types of documents are accepted? Are there any formatting requirements?

The e-filing system converts all standard document types (Word, WordPerfect, Corel, Lotus, TIF, JPEG, for example). into PDF upon upload. The Court requires that users bookmark documents with exhibits. This can be done with Adobe Acrobat or similar applications.

What are the document signature requirements?

The signature requirements depend on whether a document must be signed under penalty of perjury and/or requires the signature solely of the e-filer or the e-filer and another party (i.e. a stipulation.) Please see Code of Civil Procedure 1010.6, subdivision (b)(2) and Cal. Rules of Court 2.257 for information on signature requirements.

Is there a file size limitation for my filing? How large can the file be?

There is a 35 MB limit per document when uploading to the system. There is a 60 MB limit to the total files uploaded per order.

How do I know the Court has received my eFiling?

Your eFiling service provider will provide you with an email confirming receipt of your submission along with a transaction identification number for tracking purposes.

What cases are ordered as Mandatory eFile?

As of April 15, 2021, filings submitted by attorneys for represented parties in all limited and unlimited civil case types and probate actions must be submitted electronically through one of the court’s approved e-filing service providers (“EFSPs”), with exceptions for certain documents. Self-represented litigants are encouraged, but not required, to e-file in these case types.

How do I eFile documents that must be filed in order for the Court to consider for a hearing scheduled within 48 hours of filing?

If a hearing is set within 48 hours of documents filed, litigant to provide hard copies of documents in court with the eFiling Transaction ID noted in the upper right-hand corner of the first page of the document.

Are courtesy copies required on any types of filings e-filed?

If a hearing is set within 48 hours of documents filed, litigant to provide hard copies of documents in court with the e-filing Transaction ID noted in the upper right-hand corner of the first page of the document.

Exhibits to be considered via a Notice of Lodgment shall not be attached to the electronically filed Notice of Lodgment; instead, the submitting party must provide the assigned department with hard copies of the exhibits with a copy of the Notice of Lodgment that includes the e-filing Transaction ID# noted in the upper right hand corner.

For Construction Defect cases assigned to D74, refer to the department’s Policies & Procedures on the court’s website for further details regarding courtesy copies.

If my case was ordered to Mandatory eFile can I bring originals with me to a hearing for the clerk to file instead of eFiling the documents?

No. Any documents filed in open court must be eFiled afterward.

Can I scan multiple documents together and upload as one document?

No. All documents should be filed as stand-alone documents unless filing a Motion. If filing a notice of motion, all documents can be scanned and filed as one document under a filing that most closely captures the type of motion. Please bookmark all filings and exhibits within these filings.

Are there any documents or case types that are not eligible for e-filing?

The following filings and/or case types are NOT ELIGIBLE for e-filing:

Civil Harassment Temporary Restraining Order (TRO)/Restraining Order (RO).
Confidential documents lodged conditionally under seal.
Elder Abuse TRO/RO.
Gun Violence Emergency Protective Order.
Gun Violence TRO/RO.
Interpleader actions pursuant to Code Civ. Proc. § 2924j.
Notice of Appeal of Labor Commissioner.
Out-of-State Commission Subpoenas.
Private Postsecondary School Violence Prevention TRO/RO.
Safe at Home Name Change Petitions.
Settlement Conference Briefs (to be lodged only).
Stand-alone exhibits.
Transitional Housing Program Misconduct TRO/RO.
Undertaking/Surety Bonds.
Warrants.
Workplace Violence TRO/RO.

Should I include punctuation when adding parties to a case?

No. Punctuation should not be included as part of a party’s name. The court will delete any commas, periods, etc., which adds processing time to each transaction.

Are all civil cases with the word [IMAGED] in the title available for viewing online??

Cases with the word [IMAGED] in the case title filed before 2012 may not have the entire case contents imaged and/or available on the court’s public Register of Actions (ROA). To verify whether a case is imaged and available on the court’s public ROA, please contact the court branch where your case is currently housed.

How do I check the status of my eFiling?

Contact E-FILE Expert™ e-filing service provider for updates.

My case is a Mandatory E-Filing case. Why am I receiving notices from the Court via US Mail?

Notices generated by the Court’s case management system are mailed via US Mail rather than electronically served to all parties.

How do I correctly redact a PDF to ensure sensitive information is not accessible?

Please refer to your eFiling Provider’s (EFSPs) E-FILE Expert™ website for guidance on how to properly redact PDFs.

Probate Division E-Filing

Effective April 15, 2021, pursuant to the General Order of the Presiding Department: In Re Procedures Regarding Electronically Imaged Court Records, Electronic Filing, and Access to Electronic Court Records in Civil and Probate Cases, all filings submitted by attorneys for represented parties in all Probate case types must be submitted electronically through one of the court’s approved e-filing service providers (“EFSPs”), with exceptions for specific documents.

E-filers are required to comply with the e-filing filing requirements listed in SDSC form number PR-188 (“Electronic Filing Requirements (Probate)”). This form also contains the list of documents that are ineligible for e-filing. Self-represented litigants are not required to e-file, but are strongly encouraged to participate voluntarily.

Probate eFiling FAQ

Are any Probate cases ordered as Mandatory eFile?

Yes. Effective April 15, 2021, filings submitted by attorneys for represented parties in all probate actions must be submitted electronically through one of the court’s approved electronic filing service providers (“EFSPs”) such as E-FILE Expert™, with limited exceptions for certain documents (see below list of ineligible documents). E-filing through E-FILE Expert™is also encouraged, but not mandated, for self-represented litigants in probate actions.

Are there any documents or case types that are not eligible for eFiling?

Original Wills & Codicils
Undertaking/Surety Bonds
Settlement Conference Briefs (to be lodged not filed, see SDSC Local Rule 4.22.10(D)).
Confidential documents lodged conditionally under seal pursuant to Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.551 (although the motion to file under seal itself must be electronically filed).
Exhibits that are physical objects, which otherwise may not be comprehensibly viewed in an electronic format must be lodged and will not be filed.

How do I submit the items, listed in question #2, that are not eligible for e-filing to court?

These items must be filed in paper-form, in person or via mail or messenger service through E-FILE Expert™ in-person same-day court filing services.

Can a Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration with Will Annexed be eFiled? Will the court reject the petition for not including the original will?

These petitions may be e-filed and will not be rejected for lack of original will. The original will can be lodged/deposited with the court prior to the petition being filed, or after the petition is filed with a cover letter that includes the case number assigned to the petition. The original will must be in the court’s possession in order to admit the will to probate, and if the original will has not been submitted, it will be noted as a defect in the Probate Examiner Notes (Probate Notes), which are summaries prepared by the probate examiner for the court after reviewing your petition.

Should my proposed order be submitted with the petition, when it is e-filed?

It is preferred that your order be submitted to the court any time after the petition is filed and at least three weeks before the hearing is set. For ease of returning conformed copies, please provide an email address in the header of the form or pleading order submitted. If submitting an Appointment Order, please submit it with the corresponding letters, in one transaction. If a bond is required, an original must be dropped off or mailed to the business office.

Can I e-file my uncontested or contested Ex Parte Application?

Yes, you must include a Probate Ex Parte Coversheet (SDSC #PR-136) along with the ex parte petition, proposed order and declaration regarding notice. For appearances, the hearing date will be noted on a court-generated Notice of Hearing that will be returned to you electronically. For ease of returning conformed copies of the ex parte coversheet and order/letters, if any, please provide an email address in the header of documents.

What types of documents are accepted? Are there any formatting requirements?

The e-filing system converts all standard document types (Word, WordPerfect, Corel, Lotus, TIF, JPEG, for example) into PDF upon upload. Documents submitted to the court’s e-filing vendor must be in a format that is fully text searchable, i.e. Optical Character Recognition (OCR).

For detailed information on documents that are acceptable and additional formatting requirements, please see the probate e-filing requirements in San Diego Superior Court Form PR-188 and San Diego Local Rules, rule 4.3.2.

What are the document signature requirements for parties when a document is e-filed?

Notwithstanding the preceding statute and rule, Letters that are electronically filed must contain a signature of the appointed individual(s) in the affirmation section of the applicable form.

What types of documents are accepted? Are there any formatting requirements?

There is a 35 MB limit per document when uploading to the system. There is a 60 MB limit to the total files uploaded per order.

How do I know the Court has received my e-filing?

Your e-filing service provider (EFSP) E-FILE Expert™ will provide you with an email confirming receipt of your submission along with a transaction identification number for tracking purposes.

Are courtesy copies required on any types of filings that are e-filed?

No, courtesy copies are not required and will not be accepted by the courtroom or business office. Note: This does not apply to the lodging of original exhibits, when a Notice of Lodgment is e-filed.

Can I scan multiple documents together and upload as one document?

No. All documents should be filed as stand-alone documents.

Which parties should be included when I file my case?

Conservatorships
Petitioner(s)
Attorney (if applicable)
Proposed Conservatee
Proposed Conservator(s) – (Only if different than Petitioner)
Guardianships
Petitioner(s)
Attorney (if applicable)
Minor(s)
Proposed Guardian(s) – (Only if different than Petitioner)
Decedents’ Estates
Petitioner(s)
Attorney (if applicable)
Decedent
Proposed Personal Representative(s) – (Only if different than Petitioner)
Trusts
Petitioner(s)
Attorney (if applicable)
Trust (With Role of Case Subject)
Other Probate Matters
Petitioner(s)
Attorney (if applicable)
*All parties listed above, except for the Decedent and Trust, should include a current mailing address.

**Do not include potential Objectors, Respondents, Beneficiaries, Heirs or other Interested Parties. These will be added to the case when and if they file a pleading in the case.

Should I include punctuation when adding parties to a case?

No. Punctuation such as periods and commas should not be included as part of a party’s name. If a party’s name includes a hyphen, this should be included. The court will delete any commas, periods, etc., which adds processing time to each transaction. Do not update party names that already exist in the case. This also slows down processing times.

How do I check the status of my e-filing?

Contact your electronic service provider (EFSP) E-FILE Expert™ for updates.

How do I correctly redact a PDF to ensure sensitive information is not accessible?

Please refer to your eFiling Provider’s (EFSPs) E-FILE Expert™ website for guidance on how to properly redact PDFs.

Improperly redacting PDFs may place you or your client(s) at risk of releasing sensitive case information. To maintain confidentiality and ensure all redactions are appropriately applied, it is imperative that you remove metadata. Metadata is hidden information embedded within a document that, with a few clicks, may reveal a document’s revision history, earlier drafts, information about the document author, file name, file path, date of creation, and so on. This information is still available and accessible, even if the document was converted to a PDF. It is your responsibility to learn more about metadata and how to remove it properly.

Family Law E-Filing

On May 26th, 2020, the San Diego Superior Court (the Court) began allowing electronic filing (e-filing) for certain Family Law matters that were initiated after August 24, 2015.

ELECTRONIC FILING REQUIREMENTS (FAMILY)

This document includes the San Diego Superior Court’s electronic filing (e-filing) requirements for family law and the Family Support Division. These requirements are issued pursuant to Cal. Rules of Court, rules 2.250 et seq., Code Civ. Proc. § 1010.6, and San Diego Superior Court General Order of the Presiding Department: In Re Procedures Regarding Electronically Imaged Court Records, Electronic Filing and Access to Electronic Court Records in Family Law Cases. Documents that are determined to be unacceptable for e-filing by the court due to e-filing system restrictions or for failure to comply with these requirements will be rejected, subject to being allowed to be filed nunc pro tunc to the original submittal date upon ex parte application to the court and upon good cause shown.

PERMISSIVE E-FILING

Documents may be filed electronically in family law cases and family support division cases. E-filed documents must be

submitted through one of the court’s approved electronic filing service providers (“EFSPs”), with limited exceptions for certain documents (see below list of ineligible documents).

REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL E-FILERS

E-filed documents may be filed only through the court’s approved EFSPs such as E-FILE Expert™. To submit documents through one of the court’s approved EFSPs, go to the “Family Law E-Filing” page on the court’s website at www.sdcourt.ca.gov, and click on the link to the E-FILE Expert™” website.

E-filers must comply with Cal. Rules of Court, rules 2.250-2.261. Also, all e-filed documents must be in a pdf format using

Adobe Acrobat version 7 or higher, and must be in a text searchable format (i.e., optical character recognition (OCR)). The

court is unable to accept documents that do not comply with these requirements, or documents that include certain

characteristics including but not limited to: forms with fillable fields, a negative image, or an image that is saved as an “object” on the filed document.

E-filers are required to enter all parties listed on the document being filed, which would include any party that is not already a part of the case. If the e-filer is submitting a new petition, ALL parties must be entered. If all parties are not entered, the transaction will be rejected.

Documents that contain exhibits must be bookmarked, as set forth on the EFSP’s site. Documents not so bookmarked,

including moving papers containing non-compliant exhibits may be rejected and/or not considered. (See Cal. Rules of Court,

rule 3.1110 (f).) Exhibits to be considered via a “Notice of Lodgment” must not be attached to the e-filed “Notice of Lodgment.” The submitting party must provide the assigned department with copies in paper form of the exhibits with a copy of the “Notice of Lodgment” that includes the e-filing transaction/envelope number noted in the upper right-hand corner.

All documents must be uploaded as individual documents within the same transaction. Example: A “Request for Order” must

be uploaded separately from any other supporting documents.

Unless otherwise required by law, pursuant to Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1.201(a), only the last four digits of a social security or financial account number may be reflected in the court case filings. Exclusion or redaction is the responsibility of the e-filer, not the clerk. (See Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1.201(b).) Failure to comply with this requirement may result in monetary sanctions, pursuant to Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.30(b).

Any document filed electronically will be considered as filed with the Clerk of the Superior Court when first transmitted to the electronic filing service provider and the transmission is completed, except that any document filed on a day that the court is not open for business, or after 11:59:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on a day the court is open for business, will be deemed to have been filed on the next court day.

E-filed documents must be correctly named and/or categorized by “Document Type.” The lead document must also be

designated appropriately, as the lead document determines how the transaction will be prioritized in the work queue. Failure to name the document correctly and/or designate the lead document appropriately may result in a detrimental delay in processing of the transaction.

If a hearing is set within two (2) court days of the time documents are e-filed, the party(ies) must provide copies of the documents in paper form to the court. Transaction/Envelope numbers must be noted on the documents to the extent it is feasible to do so. E-filers must maintain originals of all documents that are e-filed with the court, including but not limited to those documents containing signatures, pursuant to Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.257. SDSC D-305 (Rev. 7/22) ELECTRONIC FILING REQUIREMENTS (FAMILY) Code Civ. Proc. § 1010.6 Informational Form Rules of Court, rule 2.250 et seq.

DOCUMENTS INELIGIBLE FOR E-FILING IN FAMILY LAW CASES

The following documents are not eligible for e-filing and must be filed in paper form but can be filed in-person same-day through E-FILE Expert™:

• Application and Order for Publication/Posting.

• Disability Accommodation Requests/Requests for Accommodations by Persons with Disabilities and Response.

• Documents filed under seal or provisionally under seal pursuant to Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.551 (although the motion to

file under seal itself may be electronically filed).

• Domestic Violence Temporary Restraining Order/Restraining Order (including responses or subsequent filings).

• Ex Parte related filings.

• Judgments.

• Mandatory Settlement Conference Briefs.

• Notices of Appeal and any supporting appeal paperwork.

• Notices of Lodgments with accompanying exhibits.

• Peremptory Challenges.

• Orders (including Earnings Assignment Orders/Income Withholding Orders, Findings and Orders After Hearing, proposed

orders, and Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs)).

• Recorded Abstracts.

• Requests for Dismissal.

• Request for Payment of Trust Funds.

• Requests to Appear Telephonically, Continue Hearing, Enter Default, or File New Litigation by Vexatious Litigant.

• Returned Writs.

• Stipulations and Orders.

• Subpoenaed Documents.

• Trial Exhibits.

• Writs/Abstracts.

DOCUMENTS INELIGIBLE FOR E-FILING IN FAMILY SUPPORT DIVISION CASES

The following documents are not eligible for e-filing and must be filed in paper form through E-FILE Expert™ in-person same-day court filing services:

• Application and Order for Publication/Posting.

• Disability Accommodation Requests/Requests for Accommodations by Persons with Disabilities and Response.

• Documents filed under seal or provisionally under seal pursuant to Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.551 (although the motion to file under seal itself may be e-filed).

• Ex Parte related filings.

• Judgments.

• Notices of Appeal and any supporting appeal paperwork.

• Notices of Lodgments with accompanying exhibits.

• Orders (including Earnings Assignment Orders/Income Withholding Orders, Findings and Orders After Hearing, and

proposed orders).

• Orders to Show Cause (Governmental).

• Peremptory Challenges.

• Release of Judgment Lien and Acknowledgment (Recorded).

• Requests for Dismissal.

• Request for Payment of Trust Funds.

• Requests to Appear Telephonically, Continue Hearing, or File New Litigation by Vexatious Litigant.

• Returned Writs.

• Stipulations and Orders.

• Subpoenaed Documents.

• Trial Exhibits.

• Writs/Abstracts.

Family Law E-Filing FAQ

How does eFiling work?

Electronic filing or eFiling allows filers to efficiently process documents and fees online. The filer will submit the documents through an Electronic Filing Service Provider (EFSP) such as E-FILE Expert™. After review, the court will accept or reject the documents. The documents are returned to the filer through the electronic filing website (portal). eFileCA is the eFile website (portal) that manages the flow of information among filers, clerks, court personnel and judges.

What is an Electronic Filing Service Provider (EFSP)?

An Electronic Filing Service Provider (EFSP) is a company/organization that provides a service to submit documents (filings) to the court electronically such as E-FILE Expert™.

How do I get started?

First you must select E-FILE Expert™ as your EFSP. Once selected, that provider will help you with your first filing.

I am an attorney; do I have to eFile?

No, represented parties may eFile but it is not mandatory at this time.

I am a self-represented litigant; do I have to eFile?

No, self-represented litigants may eFile but it is not mandatory at this time.

If I already have an approved fee waiver on file, how do I apply it to the documents I am submitting?

While setting up your account, add the payment option “Waiver Account.” When submitting filings, you will be able to select “Waiver” from the “Payment Account” dropdown menu.

What documents cannot be eFiled?

All documents can be electronically filed except for those outlined on the Family Law eFiling exceptions list which is located on the Court’s Family Law eFiling page.

How do I submit documents that are not able to be eFiled?

Documents that are exempt from eFiling can be submitted for filing by mail or in the Clerk’s Office at the appropriate court location, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Is eFiling secure?

Yes, the eFileCA system adheres to state and federal security regulations and meets Payment Card Industry Security Standards to protect filer and transaction information.

When can I eFile?

eFiling is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, however, the system may be temporarily offline from time to time for maintenance purposes. Please plan accordingly when planning for your filing.

What time do I have to submit my document to have it considered filed the same day?

Electronically filed documents filed prior to midnight on a court day will be deemed filed as of that day, pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 1010.6 and California Rules of Court, rule 2.253(b)(6). Filing occurs at the time the document is received by the court and a confirmation of receipt is created (See Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.259(a)(1) and (c).) Any electronically filed document received by the court at midnight, or filed on a non-court day, will be deemed filed on the first court day after it is received. This provision concerns only the method and effective date of filing. Any document that is electronically filed must satisfy all other legal filing deadlines and requirements. See Code of Civil Procedure section 1010.6 and California Rules of Court, rules 2.250 through 2.259 for additional information.

What is an “envelope”?

An envelope contains a document or group of documents for a single case number that will be processed in one transaction.

Can I use my personal computer to eFile?

Yes, you can submit filings through an EFSP. You will use the internet to select the EFSP and upload your documents for filing. For instructions, refer to your EFSP’s website.

Do I have to register?

Yes, all users must register with an EFSP such as E-FILE Expert™ prior to using eFiling. The court does not accept electronic filings directly. Your account will allow you to check the status of your electronically filed documents and will provide a path for the court to return your documents to you. Once you select an EFSP, you will be able to use your existing username and password for any EFSP. You may change your EFSP at any time.

Is support available?

Yes, support is provided for all users. Each EFSP offers a different type of eFiling support. When you pick your EFSP look at the level of filing support that is offered and ensure that it meets your needs.

Are my electronically filed documents printed for the court file?

No, documents that are electronically filed and accepted by the court are automatically uploaded to the court’s case management system. This allows the court staff and judicial officers to electronically view the case documents without printing the document or maintaining a physical court file. Pursuant to Government Code 68150, and California Rule of Court, rule 2.504, the electronic record is the official court record.

When will the documents be available to the public?

A filing party may view documents submitted immediately through their EFSP’s portal. All other parties will be able to view a document upon acceptance on public workstations located at any San Diego Superior Court location. A document is considered FILED once it is accepted by the court.

What are typical return reasons for my eFiling?

Typical reasons that your eFiling would be rejected by the court are as follows:

Multiple filing documents are submitted as a single file (for example, Summons and Petition)
Documents scanned are too large/too small (upload at 200 DPI+)
Subsequent filings submitted as new cases
Document submitted is on the eFiling Exceptions List
Incorrect payment account option selected (i.e., fee waiver)
Missing required information

Do I need to submit a courtesy copy?

Unless the court requests otherwise – a courtesy copy is not required.

Do I need to scan a document that includes an original signature?

Retention of original signed documents shall be pursuant to California Rule of Court 2.257 and Code of Civil Procedure 1010.6.For documents eFiled with court, the filing party may use /s/ followed by the name of the individual on the signature line of a document.

If I am eFiling a document that has a fax signature, do I have to indicate as such?

Yes, per California Rule of Court, rule 2.305 we encourage filing parties to note when the signature is by fax.

Should a document be password protected?

No, documents should not be password protected and will be rejected if the content cannot be viewed.

Can I electronically file a Confidential Document?

Yes, confidential documents will be accepted via eFiling, however, the court will determine the appropriate level of security prior to filing.

How do I serve other individuals with my eFiled documents?

Filers are responsible for accomplishing service of all filings as required by applicable state and court rules. PLEASE NOTE: You may be notified when eFiling your documents that separate emails will be sent to you by the court with a Notice of Case Assignment and a Notice of Hearing which will require service.

If I file electronically, have I consented to electronic service on this case?

Yes, refer to California Rules of Court, Rule 2.251(b)(1)(B).

Can I upload documents together or must they be separated?

Each stand-alone document which requires a file stamp, must be filed separately. Attachments to a filing must be included with that document as one PDF/run-on document.

Is there a size limit for which the document can be uploaded?

Yes, an envelope cannot be larger than 35 megabytes and a single document cannot be larger than 25 megabytes.

What format do I have to save my documents in?

Save them in PDF format, however some EFSPs allow you to file as a Word document as they will take care of the conversion. Please ask your EFSP on this item.

Do I have to add OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to my document?

Yes, pursuant to California Rule of Court 2.256(b)(3), a document filed electronically must be text searchable.

Can a non-imaged case be E-Filed?

Yes, as of June 1, 2022, ALL Family Law and Family Support Division cases are eligible for eFiling.

Family Support Division E-Filing

Starting October 19, 2020, San Diego Superior Court will accept eFiling for Family Support Division (FSD) matters. Attorneys and the public will be able to file documents with the court without physically coming into the courthouse.

Effective June 1, 2022, regardless of when a case was initiated, attorneys and the public will be able to file documents electronically in Family Law case actions for divorce, legal separation, annulment, parentage, child custody, visitation, support (child and spousal), and family related issues. Documents may be filed electronically in FSD cases with Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) involvement. PLEASE NOTE: when filing documents into a case with DCSS involvement, please use codes designated with “*DCSS*”

Family Support Division E-Filing FAQ

How does eFiling work?

What is an Electronic Filing Service Provider (EFSP)?

An Electronic Filing Service Provider (EFSP) is a company/organization such as E-FILE Expert™ that provides a service to submit documents (filings) to the court electronically.

Are there fees associated with using eFiling?

Yes, there are fees associated with filing documents electronically with eFileCA.com. In addition, the standard court filing fees may apply and are set per the statewide fee schedule. Filings submitted without the required filing fees will be returned.

How do I get started?

First you must select E-FILE Expert™ as your EFSP. Once selected, that provider will help you with your first filing.

I am a self-represented litigant; do I have to eFile?

No, self-represented litigants may eFile but it is not mandatory at this time.

If I already have an approved fee waiver on file, how do I apply it to the documents I am submitting?

While setting up your account, add the payment option “Waiver Account.” When submitting filings, you will be able to select “Waiver” from the “Payment Account” dropdown menu.

What documents cannot be eFiled?

All documents can be electronically filed except for those outlined on the Family Law eFiling exceptions list which is located on the Court’s Family Law eFiling page.

How do I submit documents that are not able to be eFiled?

Documents that are exempt from eFiling can be submitted for filing by mail or in the Clerk’s Office at the appropriate court location, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. To determine the appropriate court filing location go to the courts website.

Is eFiling secure?

Yes, the eFileCA system adheres to state and federal security regulations and meets Payment Card Industry Security Standards to protect filer and transaction information.

When can I eFile?

What time do I have to submit my document to have it considered filed the same day?

What is an “envelope”?

An envelope contains a document or group of documents for a single case number that will be processed in one transaction.

Can I use my personal computer to eFile?

Yes, you can submit filings through an EFSP. You will use the internet to select the EFSP and upload your documents for filing. For instructions, refer to your EFSP’s website.

Do I have to register?

Yes, all users must register with E-FILE Expert™ EFSP prior to using eFiling. The court does not accept electronic filings directly. Your account will allow you to check the status of your electronically filed documents and will provide a path for the court to return your documents to you. Once you select an EFSP, you will be able to use your existing username and password for any EFSP. You may change your EFSP at any time.