Civil Court

• How do I file documents in a civil case?

  Civil documents can be electronically filed, mailed, brought in person, or placed in the designated drop box. Information on e-filing can be found on the E-filing page.

  The following guidelines shall be observed when papers are filed with the court:

  • Pleadings should comply with California Rules of Court, rule 2.100 et seq.
  • An original and one (1) copy must be submitted, and only one (1) copy of each document will be conformed. Departments may have specific guidelines and requirements for filings in their departments.
  • Department information and filing guidelines can be found on the department information page.
  • Reservations are required in many civil departments and calendars. Check the department information page for requirements.
  • Documents submitted without appropriate filing fees according to the court’s Fee Schedule will be returned unfiled.

  
  

• How can I obtain copies of civil records?

  Public cases and documents, including tentative rulings, filed after November 13, 2007, may be viewed and printed from the Public Portal.

  Certified or exemplified copies of a civil file or document can be obtained at the civil front counter or by mailing a completed Request for Copies of Civil Records (CV\E-300) with the appropriate fee(s) to the Civil Records Unit.

  Cases and documents filed before November 13, 2007, are not available digitally. Physical civil files are kept at an off-site retention facility and take approximately 10 business days to be delivered to the downtown courthouse. Most civil court files are public records and may be viewed by anyone. To see a court file, you must present valid picture identification, such as a current driver's license. These files can be requested at the Civil Front Counter or by mailing a completed Request for Copies of Civil Records (CV\E-300) with the appropriate fee(s) to the Civil Records Unit.

  Written requests sent to the Records Unit take approximately 4-6 weeks to complete and may require fees for copying, certifying, and researching.

  The records unit has a privately maintained copy machine, and copies cost $0.25 each. Copiers only accept cash or copy cards, not credit cards.

  Fees: The following fees apply if you wish court staff to search for and copy documents. A blank check, made out to Sacramento Superior Court, can be sent with the records request. The memo section of the check should state the words, "Not to exceed [amount] dollars."

  • $15 for searching records or files, for each search longer than 10 minutes
  • $0.50 per page for copies
  • $40 per certification of a copy of paper, record, or proceeding on file (in addition to $0.50 per page for copies)
  • $50 per exemplification (in addition to $0.50 per page for copies)

  
  

  Pursuant to Government Code Sections 70627 and 70633, all federal and government agencies within California are exempt from copy fees. All city, county, or state agencies outside of California shall be charged fees for regular copies and certified copies.

• How do I select an arbitrator if ordered by the court?

  Where a matter has been ordered to arbitration by court order, it is the responsibility of all counsel (including self-represented parties) to confer and agree upon the names of at least three arbitrators. Litigants shall utilize the online submission form to submit the agreed-upon names in order of preference. Only one party shall complete the selection form linked below.

  If parties fail to select and submit the names of the preferred arbitrators by the date on the court’s minute order, an arbitrator will be appointed by the court. Once the court appoints the arbitrator, the court will mail a Notice of Appointment of Arbitrator to all parties.

  Court-approved arbitrators may be found on the Arbitrator Panel list.

  Use the following form to select an arbitrator: Arbitrator Selection Form

• How do I select a settlement conference and trial date if ordered by the court?

  The court typically refers cases to the Trial Setting Process (TSP) through the Case Management Program (CMP) or by special order through the presiding judge’s department. Parties can submit their agreed-upon settlement conference and trial dates through the Trial Date and Mandatory Settlement Conference Date Submission Form.

• How do I tell the court I am ready for trial?

  To comply with Local Rule 2.92, parties shall notify the court of their readiness to begin trial through the Public Portal.

• How do I request a court reporter in a civil case?

  For information on how to request a court reporter in a civil case, see the Court Reporter Services page.