San Francisco County Same-Day Court E-Filing Company

ELECTRONIC FILING (E-FILING) INFORMATION

E-FILING EXPANDED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDERS AND PETITIONS

Effective July 1, 2021 The San Francisco Superior Court expanded its mandatory e-filing program. Please see the news release issued 06/28/2021 on the Court’s homepage. 

The following cases are NOT subject to mandatory electronic filing, and must be initiated in conventional form. All other Civil case types must be initiated electronically. Pursuant to California Rules of Court 2.253 self represented parties are not subject to mandatory electronic filing. For more information.

• Small Claims 
• Name/Gender 
• Civil Harassment (INITIAL FILING ONLY); all subsequent filings must be electronically filed *
• False Claims Act  
• Probate Conservatorships and Guardianships
• Judgements related to Sister State, Confession, Labor and Summary
• Unlawful Detainers (INITIAL FILING and SUMMONS ONLY); all subsequent filings must be electronically filed *
• Actions for Recovery of Covid Rental Debt: Residential.  (INITIAL FILING ONLY); all subsequent filings must be electronically filed *

As of December 8, 2014, the Superior Court of California County of San Francisco required mandatory electronic filing and service pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 1010.6, California Rules of Court 2.253(b)(2) and San Francisco Superior Court Local Rule 2.11. On May 15, 2018, the San Francisco Superior Court eliminated the Court-run e-filing portal to e-file documents with the Court. Effective July 1, 2020 subsequent filings for Unlawful Detainers are required to be filed electronically. On January 4, 2021 the San Francisco Superior Court expanded mandatory electronic filing to include new complaints in general civil cases as well family law dissolution cases. 

Pursuant to California Rules of Court 2.253(b)(4) , represented parties may apply to be excused from filling and serving documents electronically, if it is shown to cause undue hardship or significant prejudice. In each case a represented party must file an Ex Parte Application for relief from the requirements of mandatory e-filing to be heard in department 206, or in the Court of the assigned judge (refer to San Francisco Superior Court Local rules for times and dates of ex parte hearings). The applicant must give notice of the ex parte application to all other parties in the case, and must be present at the hearing. The application must be accompanied with a declaration signed under penalty of perjury specifying the undue hardship, or significant prejudice of filing and serving documents electronically, and proposed order. The applicant must notify all other parties of the Courts’ ruling. If the application is granted, the represented party may file and serve documents conventionally.

PREPARING DOCUMENTS

Document Titles

When adding a title to your document, be sure to include: (1) the name of the party filing the document, (2) the nature of the document, (3) party against whom relief, if any, is sought, and (4) nature of relief sought. For example, “Defendant ABC Corporation’s Request for Dismissal of Plaintiff John Smith’s Complaint.”

The document title that you enter in the “Document Title” box should be the exact same as the document title on the caption of your document.

Caption Pages & Slip Sheets (for exhibits & other documents)

Each document, submitted in pleading format, that is uploaded separately (even if uploaded in the same transaction) must include a caption page as a cover sheet.

The caption page must include a very specific document title (e.g., “Declaration of Joe Smith in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment.”

The caption page must also comply with all applicable codes and rules, including California Rules of Court, Rule 2.111. Specifically, subsections (1) and (2) require that each caption page contain a blank space in the upper right corner for use by the court clerk. The blank space must be the first 2 inches of space between lines 1 and 7 to the right of the center of the page. In addition, the title of the court must begin on line 8, which must be at or below 3 1/3 inches from the top of the page. These rules ensure each caption page will have enough space for the court’s file-stamp.

If smaller documents, such as exhibits, are grouped together and uploaded as one document, there must be a caption page as a cover sheet and the caption page must include a very specific document title (e.g., “Exhibits A-E to Declaration of Joe Smith in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment”). Slip sheets must be used between each document (e.g., a page where the only words printed are “Exhibit A,” a page where the only words printed are “Exhibit B” and so on). Blank pages are not allowed as slip sheets.

If a large document is broken down, each portion of the document that is uploaded separately must include a caption page as a cover sheet. The caption page must include a very specific document title (e.g., “Exhibit A to Declaration of Joe Smith in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment – Part 1 of 4”).

Exhibits

Exhibits may or may not be uploaded as separate documents, depending on the situation.

Proposed Orders, Stipulations & Orders, Judgments and Verdicts with Exhibits

To submit exhibits as part of a proposed order, stipulation & order, judgment or verdict, you must upload everything as one document.

All Other Types of Documents with Exhibits

To submit exhibits as part of any other type of document (such as a declaration, appendix or request for judicial notice), it is your choice whether or not to upload the exhibits as separate documents.

You may:

• Upload everything as one document (for example, upload a declaration with exhibits as one document);
• Upload each exhibit separately with its own caption page compliance with CRC§2.100-2.111;
• Upload several small exhibits that are grouped together as one document, with its own caption page in compliance with CRC§2.100-2.111; or
• Break down a large exhibit into smaller portions and upload each portion as a separate document, with its own caption page in compliance with CRC§2.100-2.111.

When one or more exhibits are appended to another document (such as a declaration) and everything is uploaded as one document, or when a group of exhibits are uploaded as one document, slip sheets must be used as exhibit tabs to delineate the exhibits (e.g., a page where the only words printed are “Exhibit A,” a page where the only words printed are “Exhibit B” and so on). Blank pages are not allowed as slip sheets.

Each exhibit, group of exhibits or portion of an exhibit that is uploaded as a separate document must include a caption page as a cover sheet. The caption page should include a very specific document title (e.g., “Exhibit A to Declaration of Joe Smith in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment”). Please see Section 1 above (Preparing you Documents) for more information. 

Form or Motion Papers

Motions and other pleadings may be filed as separate documents or combined as one document. If combined, the pleading must specify the items separately in the caption of the pleading. If filed separately in one transaction the documents must have an appropriate caption page for each document.  

Requirements for E-Filing Proposed Orders and Proposed Stipulation and Orders 

Proposed Orders

Proposed orders, prepared in pleading format, must be submitted as a standalone document with its own caption page in compliance with CRC§2.100 – 2.111, unless the proposed order is incorporated into a Judicial Council form. All proposed orders submitted for e-filing will be “Lodged”. The document will not appear on the Court’s website as filed until it has been signed by the Judge.  

Proposed Stipulation and Orders 

If the proposed stipulation and order is prepared in pleading format or if submitted on a Judicial Council form, a fee of $20 will be collected for the document if all parties that signed the document have already paid their first appearance/first paper fee.  If not, the first appearance/first paper fee of $450 will be assessed as to each party that has not already paid this fee.  

Please note: The party submitting the document is responsible for paying the first appearance fees for those parties that have not yet paid. If the submitting party is not willing to pay this fee on behalf of the other party/parties who are appearing for the first time, the document should not be submitted until all signing parties have paid their first appearance/first paper fee. 

The proposed stipulation and order will not receive a file-stamp and will not be posted to the court’s public website until it has been signed by the Judge.

Courtesy copies of proposed orders and original stipulation and proposed orders must be delivered to the appropriate department.

Please see Section 10 (“Courtesy Copies”) for more information.

SCANNING REQUIREMENTS & RECOMMENDATIONS

The court requires documents to be scanned at 300 dpi or higher. Increasing the dpi will increase the file sizes for your documents. Therefore, it is recommended that you scan your documents at 300 dpi to meet the court’s minimum requirement and also scan in black & white (instead of color or grayscale) to produce smaller file sizes for your documents. 

PROOFS OF SERVICE

You are still required to e-file proofs of service the same as you would normally do if you were filing the documents traditionally in paper. A proof of service uploaded as a separate document must include a caption page as a cover sheet.

PREPARING YOUR E-FILING AND/OR E-SERVICE TRANSACTION

Multiple documents under a single transaction

When submitting a transaction with multiple documents done in pleading format (i.e., a motion and supporting documents to be filed as standalone documents each), you must upload each document separately under the same transaction.  Each document must have a caption page of its own in compliance with CRC§2.100-2.111.

When submitting a transaction with multiple Judicial Council forms (i.e., MC-051 Notice of Motion and Motion to be Relieved as Counsel and MC-052 Declaration in Support of Attorney’s Motion to be Relieved as Counsel), you must upload each form separately under the same transaction.

Single page document

No caption page required as it is considered a stand-alone document. 

E-FILING AND E-SERVICE DEADLINES

Pursuant to CCP 1010.6 (b)(3) documents e-filed or electronically served between 12:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. are deemed filed or served on that same day.

WHAT CIVIL CASES ARE SUBJECT TO MANDATORY E-FILING IN SAN FRANCISCO SUPERIOR COURT?

Initiating filings for all General Civil case types except:  Small Claims, Civil Harassment, Name/Gender petitions, Probate Conservatorships and Guardianships, and Unlawful Detainers.

Subsequent filings for all General Civil case types, including: Asbestos, Probate Estate cases, Probate Trust cases, Complex Litigation cases and Unlawful Detainers.

WHAT CASES ARE NOT SUBJECT TO MANDATORY E-FILING?

Small Claims, Initiating Unlawful Detainers, Civil Harassment, Name/Gender petitions, Probate Conservatorships and Guardianships, Judgments related to Sister State, Confession, Labor, and Summary cases are not subject to the mandate

CAN I FILE A REQUEST TO WAIVE FEES & COURT COSTS ELECTRONICALLY?

Applications for waiver of court fees and costs are accepted electronically in cases that are electronically filed. Per CRC 2.252 (f) The court must permit electronic filing of an application for waiver of court fees and costs in any proceeding in which the court accepts electronic filings. 

DOES THE DECEMBER 8, 2014, IMPLEMENTATION OF MANDATORY ELECTRONIC FILING IN ALL GENERAL CASE TYPES INCLUDE ALL PROBATE CASES?

No. Currently the only Probate cases designated for electronic filing are Trust and Decendent Estate cases. See LRSF 2.11. In addition, refer to LRSF 14.60 for the exceptions and additions specific to Probate.

AM I REQUIRED TO E-FILE THE INITIAL PLEADINGS?

Yes, Initial filings for all General Civil case types except:  Civil Harassment, Name/Gender petitions, and Unlawful Detainers.

ARE THERE DESIGNATED HOURS OF OPERATION TO E-FILE, OR MAY I FILE UP TO MIDNIGHT ON THE DAY THE DOCUMENTS ARE DUE?

Pursuant to CCP 1010.6 (b)(3), any document received electronically by the Court between 12:00 a.m. and 11:59:59 p.m. on a court day shall be deemed filed on that court day. Any document that is received electronically on a non-court day shall be deemed filed on the next court day. (Effective date: 1/1/18)

MAY I USE ANY OF THE VENDORS TO E-FILE SUBSEQUENT ASBESTOS, COMPLEX LITIGATION, PROBATE TRUST AND DECEDENT’S ESTATE FILINGS?

No Asbestos, Complex litigation and Probate Trust and Decedent’s cases must be e-filed through File & ServeXpress.

ARE SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANTS AND “NON-PARTIES” REQUIRED TO E-FILE?

No, in Civil cases, they are encouraged to do so, but e-filing is not mandatory for self-represented litigants or non-parties. In Probate Trust cases, once a self-represented litigant chooses to e-file, such chosen filing method must be used exclusively in that case [see LRSF 14.100(B)].

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR E-FILING IN THE SAN FRANCISCO SUPERIOR COURT?

E-filing rules are contained in San Francisco Superior Court local rule 2.11.

FOR CASES ALREADY FILED IN THE COURT, WILL THEY BE REQUIRED TO E-FILE ALL SUBSEQUENT FILINGS?

Yes, pending cases under this mandate will be required to e-file subsequent filings.

Documents issued by the Court, Summons for Unlawful Detainer Cases, Orders of Examination, Writs, Abstracts, Bonds, and DMV Certifications, must be submitted conventionally in paper form. (see San Francisco Local Rule 2.10R).

WILL I RECEIVE A COURT-ISSUED NOTICE FOR MY PENDING CASE TO INDICATE THAT I MUST E-FILE SUBSEQUENT DOCUMENTS?

No.

WHO DO I CONTACT IF I NEED HELP TO REGISTER TO E-FILE IN THE SAN FRANCISCO SUPERIOR COURT?

For questions about available vendors and how to e-file in the San Francisco Superior Court, call one of our E-FILE Expert™ if you filed your court documents through us.

DO I STILL HAVE TO PROVIDE COURTESY COPIES?

In Civil cases, courtesy copies are required under LRSF 2.7(B):

Users must submit one courtesy paper copy of all filed documents requiring Court review, action, or signature directly to the assigned Judge’s department. These courtesy copies must be delivered to the Court not later than 1:30 p.m. of the day following electronic filing, except all papers related to motions brought on shortened time must be delivered to the Judge’s department as early as practicable but at least before the time set for hearing. All courtesy copies must append the relevant vendor’s transaction receipt.

In Probate Trust cases, courtesy copies are required under LRSF 14.93(G):

Courtesy copies for the Probate Department must be endorsed filed, Copies must include the hearing date in the caption of the document and should be directed to the attention of specific staff members to the extent known, i.e., Director, Assistant Director, assigned Examiner, or assigned Investigator.

WHAT IS THE CONVENIENCE FEE THE COURT IS GOING TO CHARGE AND HOW IS IT ASSESSED?

The convenience fee will be $2.25 per transaction. You may submit more than one filing per transaction, provided it is the SAME case. The service fee is $10.80.

HOW DO I BECOME A THIRD-PARTY EFPS?

The Court allows filing your court documents through EFSPs such as E-FILE Expert™ .

CIVIL DIVISION

The Civil Division handles non-criminal lawsuits among individuals and/or corporations brought to enforce, redress, or protect private rights. The largest division in the San Francisco Superior Court, the Civil Division conducts civil trials and manages civil filings, records, small claims cases, appeals, probate matters, unlawful detainers, defaults, case management, dispute resolution, name changes, and civil restraining orders to prevent harassment and elder abuse.

PROBATE COURT

The Probate Court deals directly with the everyday personal and financial matters of San Franciscans. Most people think of probate courts as working exclusively with wills and the financial affairs of people who have died. However, the Probate Court also deals with guardianships of children, conservatorships of adults, mental health treatment, trusts, and dependent adult restraining orders when related to an existing conservatorship. The Judge and staff of the San Francisco Probate Court are committed to the administration of justice with thoughtfulness and concern for the citizens of San Francisco.

WHAT DOES THE PROBATE JUDGE DO?

The Judge of the Probate Department hears cases in the courtroom and administers the policies and procedures for this specialized court in San Francisco. The Probate Judge appoints people and at times institutions and agencies, to act as administrators and executors of wills, as trustees, as guardians of children, and as conservators of adults who cannot handle their own affairs. The Court also supervises these matters and reviews and approves the fees that are charged. In each probate matter, the Judge must apply the law, taking into account the views of all the people involved, the evidence that has been offered and the reports prepared by staff. The Judge must consider what is fair and in the best interests of the people who are involved.

WHAT STAFF MEMBERS HELP THE JUDGE ON MY CASE?

The Judge is assisted by an administrative staff, examiners and investigators, a lawyer from the Court’s attorney staff, courtroom clerks, clerks who receive and process the documents filed by attorneys and the public, and by a bailiff in the courtroom. Examiners review all the petitions in the estates of deceased people, trusts, conservatorships and guardianships. They make certain that the law has been followed and that the accountings are accurate. The investigators go out into the community to see how people are doing, to inform them of their rights, and to report their circumstances, wishes, and concerns to the Judge.

WHAT TYPE OF PROBATE CASES MUST BE E-FILED?

All Probate Estate and Trust cases are subject to e-filing. These cases have either a PES or PTR prefix.

DO I HAVE A CHOICE OF VENDORS TO USE WHEN E-FILING?

Probate cases must be filed through EFSPs such as E-FILE Expert™ .

CRIMINAL COURT DIVISION

New Procedures to Conduct Business Online in the Criminal Division

The Criminal Court has jurisdiction over infraction, misdemeanor and felony cases. The Criminal Court conducts trials, motions, arraignments, preliminary hearings, probation hearings, mental health proceedings, and other types of criminal proceedings. These cases are heard in the Hall of Justice Building, 850 Bryant St. (between 6th and 7th streets). However, some criminal cases are heard in the Civic Center Courthouse, 400 McAllister St., and the Community Justice Center, 575 Polk St.

To find out which department your case is being heard in, please review the Daily Calendar for criminal and traffic hearings, which is displayed on an electronic wall monitor outside Room 101, Monday-Friday, or call the Court Clerk’s Office.

A felony case is a criminal action in which the defendant is charged with violation of a felony. Misdemeanor or infraction violations may be included.

A misdemeanor case is a criminal action in which the defendant is charged with a misdemeanor and it may include an infraction charge. It does not include any felony violations. Misdemeanors include serious traffic violations, such as driving under the influence, which may result in fines up to $2,000 and possible jail time.

Updated 995 Filing Procedures

Department 18 Motion Filing Instructions

SMALL CLAIMS

Disputes are resolved quickly and inexpensively in Small Claims Court, where the rules are simple and informal. Litigants may not be represented by an attorney. Generally, claims are limited to $5,000. The jurisdictional limit is 10,000 for individuals who are filing a claim in the Small Claims Division.  Corporations, partnerships, governmental entities, and other legal entities cannot claim more than $5,000. Parties may not file more than two cases in small claims for more than $2,500 each during a calendar year. For more information on initiating a small claims case see the SC-100 information form. 

UNIFIED FAMILY COURT

Unified Family Court (UFC) is comprised of Juvenile Dependency, Juvenile Delinquency, Child Support, and Family Law. Its mission is to provide coordinated services to those who have family-related issues in the Court system, strengthen services to the community, and assist and promote healthy families and children. UFC handles divorce, legal separation and nullity; parentage; domestic abuse restraining orders; child, spousal and family support; child custody and visitation; mediation and self-help services; child abuse and neglect; and children’s violations of criminal law.

APPELLATE DIVISION

APPELLATE PANEL

• Judge Ross C. Moody – Presiding Judge
• Judge Eric R. Fleming –  Associate Judge
• Judge Braden C. Woods – Associate Judge
• Judge Alexandra Robert Gordon – Associate Judge

The Appellate Division Calendar is held on alternate Fridays at 2 p.m. in Department 622 at the Civic Center Courthouse for appeals from Misdemeanor, Traffic and Limited Civil Jurisdiction cases. Members of the public may listen to these proceedings through the Court Call access line: 415-796-6280, access code 12129863#.

San Francisco Superior Court Appellate Case Inquiry  – San Francisco Local Rules, Appellate Division 15.8

CIVIL CASE LIMITED AND UNLIMITED APPEAL GUIDELINES

Limited Appeal Guidelines

These guidelines apply to appeals from a Limited Civil Jurisdiction case to the San Francisco Superior Court Appellate Division.

San Francisco Superior Court Case Inquiry

Unlimited Appeal Guidelines

These guidelines apply to appeals from an Unlimited Civil Jurisdiction case to the California First District Court of Appeal.

California First District Court of Appeal contact information.

APPELLATE DIVISION PHONE NUMBERS

• Unlimited Jurisdiction Appeals: (415) 551-3671
• Limited Jurisdiction and Small Claims Appeals: (415) 551-5963
• Juvenile Appeals: (415) 551-3672

PROCEDURES FOR REPRESENTED PARTIES TO BE EXCUSED FROM MANDATORY E-FILING

Pursuant to California Rule of Court 2.253(b)(4), represented parties may apply to be excused from filing and serving documents electronically, if it is shown to be undue hardship or significant prejudice. 

In each case, a represented party must file an Ex Parte Application for Relief from the Requirements of Mandatory E-Filing to be heard in Department 206 or in the Court of the assigned judge  (refer to San Francisco Superior Court  Local Rules for time and dates for Exparte hearings). The applicant must give notice of the ExParte Application to all other parties in the case and the applicant must be present at the hearing.  The application must be accompanied by a declaration, under penalty of perjury, setting forth with specificity the undue hardship or significant prejudice of filing and serving subsequent documents electronically and a proposed order.  The applicant must notify all other parties of the Court’s ruling.  If the application is granted, the represented party may file and serve documents by conventional means. 

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We are a San Francisco County California e-filing court technology company and certified E-Filing Service Provider (EFSP) for all 58 counties in California. Our San Francisco County California court e filing company can also guarantee same-day or next-day delivery for all legal document filings statewide. Business organizations such as lawyers, law firms, insurance agencies, government agencies and corporate legal departments trust E-FILE Expert™ because we have more than 30 years of experience with same-day in-person filings rules and regulations at courthouses. 

Our San Francisco County California e-filing company can meet any deadlines at the San Francisco County Superior Court through electronic filing, same-day in-person filing at the courthouse, by fax machine, or by mail depending on the courthouse’s rules. Scroll down for complete lists of the counties that accept e-filing or require in-person filings or other methods provided by our San Francisco County California court filing company. 

Through our court e filing platform online, our corporate and private clients are able to electronically file and easily manage hundreds and thousands of pages and court cases instantly in minutes with the click of a button.  Trust our three decades as a San Francisco County California court filing company doing same-day legal service assignments . To guarantee same-day delivery, login or contact our San Francisco County California e-filing company to submit your service request by 4 PM PST. We will transmit a conformed copy of the filing to you electronically as soon as it’s available from the court.

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