California Court Filing Checklist
What to have ready before you file, and before you serve
Free and printable · General information, not legal advice
Tip: Print this page (it prints clean in black and white) and check items off as you go.
Before you file
- Right court and courthouse. Check which county and courthouse handles your case type. San Bernardino, Riverside and Los Angeles Superior Courts each list case types by location on their websites.
- Correct forms. Civil: Summons (SUM-100), Complaint, Civil Case Cover Sheet (CM-010). Small claims: SC-100. Eviction: Summons (SUM-130) and Complaint (UD-100). Family law: Petition (FL-100) and Summons (FL-110).
- Exact names and addresses. Use full legal names. For a business, look up its exact name and agent for service of process on the California Secretary of State's bizfile site.
- Copies. The original plus one copy for each party, plus one for you.
- Filing fee or fee waiver. Pay the first-paper fee, or file a fee waiver request (FW-001) if you qualify.
- E-filing rules. Many civil cases in these counties must be e-filed if you have a lawyer. Self-represented people can usually file at the counter or e-file.
Right after you file
- Get file-stamped copies with the case number and any hearing or case management date.
- Calendar your deadlines. In most civil cases, serve the defendants and file proof of service within 60 days (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.110(b)). Use our deadline calculator.
- Gather serve details: home and work addresses, best times, a photo or description, and vehicle if known.
- Arrange service. You can't serve your own papers. Use anyone 18+ who isn't a party, or a registered process server (Code Civ. Proc. § 414.10).
After service
- Check the proof of service. Names, date, time, address and method should be correct and signed. Civil summons: POS-010.
- File the proof of service with the court and keep a copy.
- Track the response deadline. 30 days for most civil cases (Code Civ. Proc. § 412.20), 5 court days for unlawful detainer (Code Civ. Proc. § 1167). Substituted service adds 10 days (Code Civ. Proc. § 415.20).
- No response? Ask the court about requesting entry of default (CIV-100).
Free help
Each Superior Court runs a free self-help center that can review forms. California's official self-help site is selfhelp.courts.ca.gov.
When you're ready to serve, request a free quote or call or text (909) 547-7434. Serves start at $60.
Swift Serve SoCal is a brand of Swift Serve LLC. Not a law firm; no legal advice. Forms and rules change, so confirm with the court.
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