Merced Superior Court Electronic Filing Rules

Applies to

Notice of change of e service address

A party that changes its E-Service address must promptly electronically file a notice of change and serve that notice on all other parties or their attorneys.

A party whose E-Service address changes while the action or proceeding is pending must promptly electronically file a notice of change of E-Service address or Judicial Council Form EFS 010, Notice to Change Electronic Service Address, with the Court, and must serve this notice on all other parties or their attorney(s) ofrecord.

Applies to

Documents

Electronic filing and service are mandatory in specified civil, family-law, and probate matters, subject to a court excuse and the self-represented-party exemption, and electronic filings have the same legal effect as paper filings.

Parties must file documents electronically in limited, unlimited, and complex civil actions and in non-DCSS family law and probate matters in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure section 1010.6 and California Rules of Court, rules 2.250-2.559, unless parties are excused from doing so by the Court. Self-represented parties are exempt from mandatory electronic filing and service requirements. A document that is filed electronically shall have the same legal effect as an original paper document.

Applies to

Initial criminal filings

Initial criminal filings cannot be submitted through electronic filing.

Initial Criminal filings are not yet accepted through e-filing.

Applies to

Documents

Electronic filings must use an electronic service provider approved by the court, as listed on the court's website.

The electronic filing of documents requires the use of an approved electronic service provider. Approved electronic filing service providers are listed on the court’s website at www.merced.courts.ca.gov.

Applies to

Original documents

Civil bench warrants, subpoenaed documents, bonds, undertakings, and original wills or codicils may not be filed electronically.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law or this rule certain original documents may not be filed electronically, including civil bench warrants, subpoenaed documents, bonds, undertakings, and original wills/codicils.

Applies to

Sealed document

Sealed documents may not be filed electronically and must be filed and lodged through conventional means.

Sealed documents must be filed and lodged conventionally.

Applies to

Restraining order initial forms and proposed orders

An in-person or mail filing requires an original and two copies of the initial forms and proposed orders, while an electronic filing requires only one.

Petitioner is required to complete and file an original and two copies of the initial forms and the proposed orders if filing in person or by mail; only one is required if e-filing.

Applies to

Administrative records

Administrative records must be submitted electronically, with electronic filing permitted for records no larger than 25mb.

Any administrative records lodged with the court must be submitted in an electronic format. Records consisting of 25mb or less may be e-filed.

Applies to

Subsequent criminal filings

Electronic filing is permitted for subsequent filings in criminal matters.

E-filing is available for subsequent filings in criminal matters.

Applies to

Exhibits

An exhibit that cannot be accurately transmitted electronically because of its size or type may not be e-filed.

Any exhibit that cannot be accurately transmitted via electronic filing due to its size or type may not be electronically filed.

Applies to

Available filings

Attorneys and self-represented parties may electronically file available matters, including specified Family Code and Penal Code petitions.

Attorney and self-represented parties may e-file as available, including petitions pursuant to Family Code section 6307 and Penal Code section 18122.