San Mateo Superior Court Service and Proof of Service Rules

Fax service must comply with California Rules of Court rule 2.306.

When service is by FAX, CRC 2.306 must be complied with.

Service

Mail

A proof of service for mail service must use the language prescribed by Code of Civil Procedure section 1013(a).

When service is made by mail, Section 1013(a) of the Code of Civil Procedure provides the language to be used in the proof of service.

Service

Personal service

For personal service, the person who actually accomplished service must sign the declaration of service.

When service is by personal delivery (CCP 1011), the declaration of service must be signed by the person who actually accomplished service.

A declaration that merely states that the declarant caused papers to be served through a messenger is inadequate proof of service.

A declaration which simply recites that the declarant “caused the papers to be served” by handing them to a messenger is not adequate proof of service.

An unopposed motion accompanied by defective proof of service may be continued, placed off calendar, or denied.

In the absence of opposition, a motion accompanied by a defective proof of service will be continued, placed off calendar, or denied.

Applies to

Motion

The proof of service must show service on every party who has appeared in the action, not merely the party to whom the motion is directed.

The proof of service must show service on all parties who have appeared in the action, not just the party to whom the motion is directed.

Supersedeas petitions and oppositions must be served under the cited rules, and supersedeas petitions must include proof of service when filed.

(B) Service. Petitions for writ of supersedeas shall be served in accordance with CRC rule 8.824 and shall be accompanied by proof of service at the time of filing. Petitions and oppositions shall be filed and served pursuant to LCR rule 1.8.

Applies to

Temporary stay application

A request for a temporary stay may be included in the supersedeas petition or filed separately with notice to the respondent.

2) A request for temporary stay may be incorporated into a petition for writ of supersedeas or filed separately with notice to the respondent. (CRC rule 8.824(c).)

Applies to

Stay order application

Stay-order applications must be filed with the Appellate Division clerk and served on opposing counsel under LCR Rule 1.8.

(B) Applications for stay orders shall be filed with the clerk of the Appellate Division and served on opposing counsel in accord with LCR Rule 1.8.

Applies to

Brief

Service of an appellate brief requires the original for the Appellate Division clerk, one copy for the trial court, and one copy for opposing counsel.

Briefs shall be served as follows: the original on the Clerk of the Appellate Division, one copy on the trial court, and one copy on opposing counsel.

Applies to

Brief

Proof of service on the opposing party or counsel must be filed with the Appellate Division.

Proof of service on the opposing party or their counsel, must also be filed with the Appellate Division.

A petition for rehearing must be served and filed with proof of service.

Any petition for rehearing shall be served and filed with proof of service as provided in CRC rule 8.889(b)(1).

Routine applications must be served on opposing counsel and submitted to the Appellate Division.

Routine applications shall be served on opposing counsel and submitted to the Appellate Division.

Written motions concerning non-routine matters must be served on every party and filed in the Appellate Division.

Written motions in connection with all non-routine matters shall be served on all parties and shall be filed in the Appellate Division.

Briefs for writs of mandate or prohibition must be served with the original and three copies for the Appellate Division Clerk, one copy for the trial court, and one copy for opposing counsel.

Briefs relating to a petition for writ of mandate or prohibition shall be served as follows: the original and three copies on the Clerk of the Appellate Division, one copy on the trial court, and one copy on opposing counsel. (See CRC rule 8.931(c)(3).)

Applies to

In limine motion

In limine motions must be served on opposing counsel at least five days before trial.

Any in limine motions shall be served upon opposing counsel not less than five (5) days prior to trial.

Applies to

In limine motion response

A response to an in limine motion must be served on the motion's proponent no later than the first appearance before the Presiding Judge's Department for trial assignment.

Any response shall be served upon the proponent of the motion not later than the first appearance in the Department of the Presiding Judge for trial assignment.

Service

Electronic service to all parties

In complex civil cases, all parties and counsel must serve all documents electronically and accept electronic service, unless personal service is required by statute.

Pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure Section 1010.6(c), and California Rules of Court, Rule 2.253(c) and Rule 2.251(c), all parties and their counsel in complex civil cases shall serve all documents electronically, and accept service of documents electronically from all other parties, in conformity with Code of Civil Procedure Section 1010.6 and the California Rules of Court, except when personal service is required by statute.

Service

Electronic service to all parties

Discovery requests and discovery responses in complex civil cases must be served electronically on counsel for the parties.

All discovery methods (C.C.P. § 2019.010), including but not limited to notice of deposition, special interrogatories, form interrogatories, requests for production of documents, and requests for admissions, shall be served electronically upon counsel for the parties. All discovery responses by a party in response to a discovery method by another party shall be served electronically upon counsel for the parties.

Applies to

Ex parte moving papers

Ex parte moving papers must be served on all parties for the applicant to appear remotely, subject to any contrary court order under subdivision (d).

Except as ordered by the court under subdivision (d), applicants seeking an ex parte order may appear remotely provided that the moving papers, including a proposed order, have been served on all parties, and submitted in paper form to the assigned judge, and the fee paid to the clerk’s office, by at least 10:00 a.m. two court days before the ex parte appearance.

Applies to

Notice of remote appearance

A party intending to appear remotely must give notice to the court and to every person entitled to notice of the ex parte proceeding.

Notice of intent to appear remotely must be given to the court and to all parties or persons entitled to receive notice of the proceedings.

Applies to

Electronic correspondence

Service

Email to opposing party

Civil Department electronic correspondence must simultaneously be sent to all opposing counsel or opposing self-represented parties.

All electronic correspondence with the Department of any Civil Judge must also be contemporaneously sent to opposing counsel or opposing self-represented parties.

Applies to

Informal discovery conference request

Service

Email to all parties

The Informal Discovery Conference request must simultaneously be copied to counsel for every party and to any self-represented party.

To request an Informal Discovery Conference, counsel must contact the Court by email at IDC@sanmateocourt.org, which email must be contemporaneously copied to counsel for all parties to the action and any self-represented parties.

Deadline

5 calendar days

Applies to

Discovery dispute summary

Service

Email to all parties

The dispute-summary letter must be emailed to the Court and contemporaneously to all parties within five calendar days after the initial Informal Discovery Conference request.

Within five (5) calendar days of the initial email request to the Court for an Informal Discovery Request, the disputing parties shall, jointly or separately, email correspondence to the Court at IDC@sanmateocourt.org, and contemporaneously to all parties, an electronic letter of no more than five (5) pages, without attachments, summarizing the discovery dispute(s).

In writ and CEQA cases, the plaintiff or petitioner must serve the assignment and case-management conference notice on all defendants, respondents, and real parties in interest when the petition is served.

at the same time as service of the petition for writ or CEQA complaint/petition, plaintiff/petitioner must also serve all defendants, respondents and real parties in interest with the Notice of Assignment for All Purposes and Setting of Case Management and Trial Setting Conference.

In complex civil cases, the plaintiff must serve the required civil case cover sheet and assignment and conference notices with the complaint and summons.

at the same time as service of the complaint and summons, plaintiff must also serve all defendants with Plaintiff’s Civil Case Cover Sheet (per CRC Rule 3.220) and Notice of Assignment for All Purposes, Designation as Complex Case, Setting of Case Management and Trial Setting Conference, and Complex Fees Due.

The complaint must be served on all named defendants within 60 days after filing.

Pursuant to CRC Rule 3.110(b), the complaint must be served upon all named defendants within sixty (60) days after filing of the complaint;

Certain case-initiation documents must be served on all defendants.

all defendants with the following documents: (i) Plaintiff’s Civil Case Cover Sheet, if required by CRC Rule 3.220; (ii) Notice of Assignment for All Purposes and Notice of Case Management Conference; (iii) Court’s ADR information package, per CRC Rule 3.221; and (iv) A blank form of the Case Management Statement (CM-110).

Deadline

60 calendar days

Applies to

Complaint

The complaint must be served on all named defendants within 60 days after filing, and proofs of service must be filed within the same period.

Pursuant to CRC Rule 3.110(b), the complaint must be served upon all named defendants within sixty (60) days after filing of the complaint; and proofs of service of process upon all named defendants, must be filed with the Court within sixty (60) days after filing of the complaint.

Deadline

30 calendar days

Applies to

Cross complaint

A cross-complaint adding a new party must be served on the new cross-defendants, contemporaneously served on all previously appearing parties, and supported by proofs of service filed within 30 days.

Pursuant to CRC Rule 3.110(c), any cross-complaint adding a new party must be served upon all named cross-defendants (and contemporaneously served upon all parties who previously appeared in that civil case), and proofs of service of process upon the new parties must be filed within thirty (30) days of the filing of the cross-complaint.

Deadline

15 calendar days

Applies to

Case management statement

The CM-110 must be served on the other parties at least 15 calendar days before the initial Case Management Conference.

Pursuant to CRC Rule 3.725, all parties must file and serve a Case Management Statement (form CM-110) at least fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the date set for the initial Case Management Conference.

Deadline

15 calendar days

Applies to

Case management statement

A new CM-110 for a continued Case Management Conference must be served at least 15 calendar days before the latest conference.

If the Case Management Conference is continued, all parties must file and serve a Div III 313 Revised 1/1/2026 ===== PAGE 78 ===== Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo new Case Management Statement (form CM-110), individually or jointly, at least fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the date of the latest Case Management Conference.

Service

Email

A copy of the written stipulation to judicial arbitration must be immediately emailed to the Case Management Coordinator at CMC@sanmateocourt.org.

In order to avoid any need to appear thereat, a written stipulation to judicial arbitration must be filed with the Court and a copy immediately emailed to the Case Management Coordinator at CMC@sanmateocourt.org at least the twelve (12) calendar days before the Case Management Conference.

Applies to

Arbitration award

The arbitration award must include proof of service on every party to the arbitration.

Within ten (10) days after the conclusion of the arbitration hearing, the arbitrator must file the arbitration award with the Court, including proof of service on each party to the arbitration, pursuant to CRC Rule 3.825.

Applies to

Continuance of judicial arbitration hearing

Service

Email

A copy of the motion and stipulation for continuance of a judicial arbitration hearing must be contemporaneously emailed to ADR staff at CMC@sanmateocourt.org.

Parties who wish to continue the arbitration hearing after the jurisdictional time frame must filed local form Ex Parte Motion and Stipulation for Continuance of Judicial Arbitration Hearing with the Court, with a copy contemporaneously emailed to the ADR staff at CMC@sanmateocourt.org.

Applies to

Stipulation and proposed order to mediation in lieu of court ordered judicial arbitration

Service

Email

A copy of the ADR-CSARB form must be contemporaneously emailed to the ADR Director at ADR@sanmateocourt.org.

Parties who wish to change their ADR process from judicial arbitration to another form of ADR must file a Stipulation and [Proposed] Order to Mediation in Lieu of Court-Ordered Judicial Arbitration (local form ADR-CSARB) with the Court, with a copy contemporaneously emailed to the ADR Director at ADR@sanmateocourt.org.

After a selected ADR process other than judicial arbitration resolves the disputes, the parties shall file and serve a Notice of Settlement, Request for Dismissal, Stipulated Judgment, or, if required by law, a motion for approval of settlement.

Upon the completion of the selected ADR process, other than judicial arbitration, if a resolution of disputes is achieved, the parties shall file and serve either (i) a Notice of Settlement; (ii) a Request for Dismissal; (iii) a Stipulated Judgment; or (iv) a motion for approval of settlement, if a motion is required by law.

Service

Mail

When calendaring a motion served by mail, parties must add five days to the applicable notice period.

Counsel and parties are cautioned to consider the additional time for service when calendaring motions. [Example: Summary judgment motions are set on 5 days’ notice but if service is by mail, 5 additional days for service must be added.]

In a Collections Case, the plaintiff must serve the complaint and summons on all defendants and file proofs of service within 180 days, unless the plaintiff obtains an order for service by publication within that period.

Pursuant to CRC Rule 3.740(d), the complaint and summon in all Collections Cases must be served upon all defendants, and proofs of service of process upon all defendants filed with the Court, or the plaintiff must obtain an order for service by publication, within 180 days after filing of the initial complaint.

Deadline

5 court days

Support and opposition papers for a long-cause matter must be served at least five court days before the hearing.

When a matter is put on the long cause calendar, all papers in support or opposition of the matter must be filed and served five (5) court days in advance of the hearing date.

Notice of an ex parte petition must be given to all Probate Code-entitled parties by the time required under California Rules of Court 3.1203 through 3.1204.

Notice of the ex parte petition shall be given to all parties entitled by provision of the Probate Code to receive notice of the matter which is the subject of the ex parte petition by the time as required by California Rules of Court, Rule 3.1203-3.1204.

When a guardian or conservator is appointed for a person entitled to notice, notice must be sent to the guardian or conservator and, unless the court dispenses with it, to the ward or conservatee.

When a guardian or conservator has been appointed for a person entitled to notice, the notice must be sent to the guardian or conservator and, unless the court has dispensed with such notice, to the ward or the conservatee.

Additional probate notice must be provided to any alternative executor, a non-petitioning co-executor, and the Attorney General when a charitable trust is involved.

In addition to the above, notice must also be provided to the following: (1) To any alternative executor and to a non-petitioning co-executor; (2) To the Attorney General where there is a charitable trust involved as set forth in California Probate Code, section 8111.

Service

Publication

If the original probate petition is removed from the calendar, new notice must be published and served.

If the original petition is taken off calendar, a new notice must be published and served.

If mailing is correct but publication is defective, the matter must be removed from the calendar or continued, with new notice provided by publication and mailing.

Mailing correct but publication defective. The matter must be taken off calendar or continued and a new notice must be given by publication and mailing.

Probate notice service must be completed by someone other than the petitioner, who must prepare a Proof of Service.

The service must be completed by a person other than petitioner. The server must complete a Proof of Service.

Applies to

Proof of service

A written Proof of Service, consisting of an original and two copies, must be filed with the Probate Division clerk before the hearing.

A written Proof of Service (an original and two copies) must be filed with the Court Clerk’s Office, Probate division in Room A, prior to the court hearing as prescribed by the California Rules of Court.

Service

Publication

Statutory notice must be published in decedents’ estates unless a will contains a power of sale or the estate is administered with full authority under the I.A.E.A., unless the Court shortens the statutory time.

Notice shall be published (pursuant to section 6063 (a) of the Government Code unless the Court grants an order shortening time) in all decedents' estates, except those in which there is a power of sale in the will, or those estates administered with full authority under the I.A.E.A.

Service

Publication

An I.A.E.A. estate sale must be preceded by statutory notice under Section 10300 et seq. if the personal representative elects court-supervised procedures.

If the personal representative of the estate being administered under I.A.E.A. elects to follow Court supervised procedures, then the sale shall be preceded by statutory notice of sale pursuant to Section 10300 et seq.

Service

Publication

Sales in guardianships, conservatorships, and court-supervised trusts require statutory notice unless the Court previously granted the power of sale.

In all guardianships, conservatorships and court-supervised trusts except those in which the power of sale has been previously granted by the Court the sale shall be preceded by statutory notice of sale.

Service

Publication

The notice of sale must be published in a newspaper serving the county where the real property is located.

Notice of sale shall be published in a newspaper published in the county in which the real property lies.

Service

Publication

When a technical defect later appears in a notice used by an executor or administrator with power of sale, the defect cannot be cured under that power and a new notice must be published.

If an executor or administrator having power of sale publishes a notice of sale of the real property and proceeds with the sale thereunder, and later a technical defect appears, the defect cannot be cured by exercising the executor's or administrator's power of sale. The executor or administrator must publish a new notice.

Applies to

Ex parte petition

Service

Personal service

If the temporary-conservatorship matter is contested, proof of five-day personal service of the ex parte petition on the proposed conservatee is required.

(4) Proof of service regarding 5-day personal service of ex parte petition to proposed conservatee (if matter contested); and

Applies to

Notice of hearing

The petitioner must arrange service of the hearing notice and any required petition, unless a written waiver of notice is filed.

A. It is the responsibility of the petitioner to arrange for service of the notice of the hearing of the petition as set forth in Probate Code §1511, including a copy of the petition if required, unless a written waiver of notice is filed.

A person other than the petitioner must complete the service and prepare a written proof of service.

B. The service must be completed by a person other than the petitioner. The server must complete a written Proof of Service.

Applies to

Proof of service

An original and two copies of the written proof of service must be filed with the Court Clerk before the hearing, and a separate proof may be submitted for each service when multiple people are served.

C. A written Proof of Service (an original and two copies) must be filed with the Court Clerk’s Office, Room A, prior to the court hearing. If service is required on more than one person, a separate Proof of Service may be submitted for each service.

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Service

Mail to agency

Copies of the notice, petition, and Guardian Screening Form must be mailed to Children and Family Services at least 15 days before the hearing.

D. A copy of the notice, petition, and Guardian Screening form shall be mailed to Children and Family Services 400 Harbor Blvd., Belmont, CA at least fifteen (15) days prior to the hearing.

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Service

Mail to agency

For non-relative petitions, copies of the hearing notice and petition must be mailed to the Director of Social Services at least 15 days before the hearing.

E. For petitions filed by non-relatives, a copy of the notice of hearing and petition must be mailed to the Director of Social Services in Sacramento, California at least fifteen (15) days prior to the hearing.

Deadline

5 court days

Applies to

Proof of service

Unless waived, a written proof of service must be filed with the Probate Clerk at least five court days before the hearing.

A written proof of service must be filed with the Probate Clerk, Room A, at least five court days in advance of the hearing date unless otherwise waived.

Applies to

Petition for appointment of conservator

When no second-degree relative is identified, notice must be given to all California-resident adult relatives within the third degree.

If the petition alleges that there is no relative of the proposed conservatee within the second degree, notice shall be given to all adult relatives within the third degree who reside in California.

Service

Personal service

All hearing notices, including ex parte matters, must be given to appointed conservatee counsel; pending notices and petitions must be forwarded promptly, but service ends upon discharge.

When an attorney has been appointed to represent a conservatee, regardless of the purpose of the appointment, notice of all hearings including requests for ex parte relief shall be given to the appointed attorney. If any other petition is pending when the attorney is appointed, and a future hearing date has already been assigned, the petitioner shall promptly forward a copy of the notice and petition to the appointed counsel. If the appointed attorney is discharged, then no further documents need be served on the attorney.

Notice must be given as required by Probate Code sections 3130 and 3131.

B. Notice: Notice shall be given as required by Sections 3130 and 3131.

Notices to beneficiaries must be provided in accordance with Probate Code sections 15802 and 15804 and California Rules of Court 7.50 through 7.55 and 7.902.

Notices shall be provided as set forth in Probate Code sections 15802 and 15804 and California Rules of Court, Rules 7.50 through 7.55 and 7.902).

Beneficiaries and the personal representative, if not the petitioner, must receive at least 30 days' notice before the hearing.

Notice shall be given to the beneficiaries and the personal representative, if not the petitioner, at least 30 days prior to the hearing.

Applies to

Notice of assignment

The petitioner or moving party must serve the respondent or opposing party with the Notice of Assignment and file proof of that service.

C. Notice of Assignment: The clerk of the Court shall provide a Notice of Assignment to the petitioner in a new case filed after January 1, 2004, and to the moving party in a pending case filed prior to the commencement date upon filing of the first pleading requiring a hearing, conference, or trial. The petitioner/moving party must have the respondent/opposing party served with a copy of the Notice of Assignment. A proof of service shall be filed with the Court. The Clerk will place a copy of the Notice of Assignment in the Court file.

Applies to

Notice of adr options

The Notice of ADR Options must be filed and served with specified family-law pleadings unless one was filed within the preceding 180 days.

All parties and counsel shall file and have the Notice served on the other party with any Petition or Response under the Family Law Act or Uniform Parentage Act, Request for Order, Responsive Declaration to Request for Order, or other family law pleading which will result in a court hearing or trial, unless a Notice has previously been filed within the past 180 days.

Applies to

Notice of adr options

A Proof of Service must be filed with the Court.

A Proof of Service shall be filed with the Court.

Applies to

Notice

Except for temporary emergency orders or an initial Request for Order filed with a Petition, the Clerk cannot set a hearing or trial date until the moving party files and serves the Notice.

Except for temporary emergency court orders or an initial Request for Order filed with a Petition, no hearing or trial date shall be set by the Clerk of the Court until the moving party has complied with filing and service of the Notice as set forth in this Rule.

Applies to

Request to set aside ex parte order

A responding party requesting to set aside an ex parte order before the hearing must give notice to the moving party.

If a responding party requests an ex parte order to be set aside prior to the date set for hearing, notice shall be given to the moving party.

Applies to

Post judgment request for order

Post-judgment Requests for Orders must be served under Family Code section 215, except that section does not apply to ongoing dissolution matters involving a previously entered status judgment and pending reserved issues.

Post-Judgment Request for Order: Service of post-judgment Request for Orders shall be pursuant to Family Code §215. However, Family Code §215 shall not apply to on-going matters where a judgment of dissolution of status has been entered, but further judgment on reserved issues is pending.

Deadline

5 calendar days

Applies to

Status conference statement

A completed Status Conference Statement must be served on all other parties at least five calendar days before the initial Status Conference.

At least 5 days prior to the initial Status Conference the parties shall file with the court and serve on all other parties a completed Status Conference Statement (see Local Court form FL-03) a copy of which is available at the clerk’s office or through the court’s website: www.sanmateo.courts.ca.gov. The parties may elect to file a jointly prepared Status Conference Statement.

Applies to

Mandatory settlement conference statement

Copies of the MSC statement and any required income and expense declaration must be served on opposing counsel and the assigned judge so that they are received by noon five court days before the MSC.

shall serve a copy of each on opposing counsel and the assigned judge in such a manner as to assure they are received no later than 12 noon 5 court days prior to the MSC.

Deadline

5 calendar days

Applies to

Short cause trial statement

Copies of the short-cause documents and any income-and-expense declaration must be served on the opposing party no later than five calendar days before the earlier of the Mandatory Settlement Conference or trial date.

The originals of these documents and income and expense declaration shall be filed with the family law clerk’s office and copies served on the opposing party not later than 5 calendar days before the Mandatory Settlement Conference or trial date whichever comes first.

Deadline

5 court days

Applies to

Income and expense declaration

Supplemental, updated, or responsive Income and Expense Declarations must be served at least five court days before the hearing.

Supplemental, updated, or responsive Income and Expense Declarations shall be served at least five court days before the hearing.

A party seeking establishment, modification, or enforcement of a child-support order must give the Child Support Agency written notice as required by case law.

The party seeking establishment, modification or enforcement of a child support order shall give the Child Support Agency written notice as required by case law.

Applies to

Appointment order

After counsel accepts the appointment of a minor, the appointment order must be prepared, filed, and served on appointed counsel and the parties’ counsel or unrepresented parties.

Once the attorney has agreed to accept the appointment, an order of appointment of counsel for minor shall be prepared, filed and served upon the appointed counsel, counsel for the parties or unrepresented parties.

Applies to

Complaint

A written complaint about appointed counsel must be delivered to the Family Law Court supervising judge’s courtroom clerk and served on all counsel and self-represented parties.

The complaint must be in writing that must be delivered to the courtroom clerk for the Supervising Judge of the Family Law Court and is served on all counsel and self-represented parties in the action.

Applies to

Trial brief

Trial briefs must be exchanged with opposing counsel at least seven court days before trial.

2. Exchange trial briefs

Applies to

Income expense declaration

When support or attorney’s fees are at issue, the parties must exchange Income and Expense Declarations with required attachments at least seven court days before trial.

3. Where support or fees are at issue, exchange Income & Expense Declarations with required attachments.

Applies to

Exhibits

The parties must exchange the exhibit list on Local Court form FL-CV-09A and copies of the exhibits at least seven court days before trial.

4. Exchange list of exhibits (see Local Court form FL-CV-09A) and copies of exhibits.

Applies to

Non party witness list

The parties must exchange a list identifying non-party witnesses, their contact information, and their subjects of testimony at least seven court days before trial.

5. Exchange list designating non-party witnesses (including name, address and telephone number) (see Local Court form FL-CV-11] and the subject matter each will testify to.

Applies to

In limine motion

In limine motions on Local Court form FL-10 must be filed with the court and served at least five court days before trial.

3. File with the court and serve in limine motions (see Local Court form FL-10]

Applies to

Exhibit objections

A written list of objections to the exhibits on Local Court form FL-09 must be filed with the trial-department clerk and provided to opposing counsel at least three court days before trial.

1. File with clerk of trial department and opposing counsel a written list of objections to the exhibits (see Local Court form FL-09].

Deadline

2 court days

Applies to

Report

A CASA advocate must file and serve written reports at least two court days before specified dependency hearings.

In any case in which a CASA advocate has been appointed by the Court, the CASA advocate must file and serve written reports to the Court and on the parties and/or their counsel at least two (2) court days before the following hearings: (i) dispositional hearings that have been continued pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 358(a); (ii) six-month review; (iv) twelve-month review; (v) eighteen-month review; (vi) welfare and institutions 366.26 hearing; and (vii) post-permanency planning reviews.

Deadline

2 court days

Applies to

Report

If a CASA advocate submits a report for a special hearing, it must be filed and served at least two court days before that hearing.

The CASA advocate may also submit reports for any special hearings notice to CASA of San Mateo County and, if submitted, those written CASA reports must be filed and served on the parties and/or their counsel at least two (2) court days before the hearing.

Deadline

2 court days

Applies to

Report

A CASA advocate appointed before jurisdiction is established may submit a written jurisdictional-hearing report only if it is filed and served at least two court days beforehand.

If the CASA advocate is appointed before jurisdiction is established under Welfare and Institutions Code section 300 et seq., the CASA advocate may submit a written report to the court for consideration by the court at the jurisdictional hearing. Any such report must be filed and served on the parties and/or their counsel at least two (2) court days before the jurisdictional hearing.

Applies to

Notice

A CASA advocate must receive proper and timely notice of all proceedings in the case to which the advocate is appointed.

The CASA advocate shall be properly and timely noticed for all proceedings held in case to which the CASA advocate has been appointed.

Applies to

Notice of transfer

Unless the action is default or uncontested, the moving party must file and serve a notice of transfer on all other parties within five days after the transfer order.

Except in default or uncontested actions or proceedings, within five days after the order for transfer is made, the moving party shall file and serve on all other parties a notice of the transfer.

Deadline

5 court days

Applies to

Motion to compel discovery

Written notice of a discovery-compulsion motion must be served on all parties at least five court days before the hearing.

Written notice must be served on all parties at least five court days prior to the hearing.

Applies to

Appointed counsel application

Applications for appointed counsel must be filed under LCR 1.8, need not be served on other parties, and are decided without a hearing.

(2) Applications shall be filed in accordance with LCR 1.8, except that they need not be served on other parties, and are decided without hearing.

Applies to

Request for nonparty documents

A request for documents producible by a nonparty without a witness's personal appearance should require delivery no later than the first calendared trial day.

If a party proposes to obtain documents in the custody of a nonparty, as by a subpoena duces tecum, and such documents may be produced by certification or otherwise in lieu of personal appearance by a witness custodian, the request for such documents should specify that they be delivered not later than the first day for which the trial is calendared.

Service

Electronic service

Counsel in a complex civil action must confer on an electronic-service list, agree upon it, and keep it updated.

Counsel for the parties shall meet and confer, agree upon, and keep updated, an e-service list for that complex civil action.

Service

Electronic service to opposing party

Electronic correspondence with the IDC Department must simultaneously be sent to opposing counsel or the opposing self-represented party.

All electronic correspondence with the IDC Department must also be contemporaneously sent to opposing counsel or opposing self-represented parties.

Applies to

Proof of service

Failure to file proof of service within sixty days of the initial complaint may result in summary dismissal without prejudice.

Pursuant to C.C.P. Section 1167.1, if proof of service of the summons and complaint is not filed by plaintiff in an Unlawful Detainer action within 60 days of the initial filing of the complaint, the Court may issue summary dismissal without prejudice.

Service

Mail

When publication is correct but mailing is defective, the hearing will normally be continued so that a new mailing can occur at least 15 days before the continued hearing.

Publication correct but mailing defective. The hearing normally will be continued to allow a new mailing at least 15 days before the continued hearing date.

The court may continue the hearing on the petition if service is not completed or no written Proof of Service is on file.

If service is not completed or no written Proof of Service is on file with the Court, the Court may continue the hearing on the Petition.

Applies to

Petition for appointment of conservator

For a conservator-appointment petition, the text states that notice may not be shortened or dispensed with.

There is no statutory basis for shortening the time of notice or for dispensing with notice on a petition for the appointment of a conservator.

Applies to

Stipulation for court commissioner

Parties are strongly advised, but not required, to serve the commissioner stipulation or written objection on all parties by the same five-court-day deadline.

In order to avoid the undue consumption of judicial resources and to minimize inconvenience to the litigants, parties are strongly advised to file with the court and serve on all parties either a Stipulation for Court Commissioner to Act as Temporary Judge for All Purposes (Local Form AD-10) or a written objection to the assignment of a commissioner acting as a temporary judge, at least five court days before the first scheduled hearing.

Applies to

Notice

The Notice is not served on an employee pension benefit plan.

The Notice shall not be served on an employee pension benefit plan.

Applies to

Ex parte application

The listed categories of ex parte relief do not require notice to the opposing party or opposing counsel.

Requests for the following types of ex parte relief do not require notice to the opposing party or the opposing party’s counsel: Division V - Rules - 505 - Revised 1/1/2026 ===== PAGE 156 ===== Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo 1. Signature of an order or judgment for which opposing counsel has approved or agreed not to oppose entry; 2. Signature of an order or judgment after default proceedings; 3. Wage and earning assignment orders for support orders made on or after July 1, 1990 (Family Code §5230). Earning assignment orders may be granted ex parte for support orders made on or after July 1, 1990 by submitting the assignment order separately or with the underlying support order or judgment. 4. Ex parte assignment orders for arrearages accrued under any support order may be requested by completing a detailed declaration and calculation, signed under penalty of perjury, setting forth the month to month accrual of amounts paid and unpaid. Ex parte assignment orders for arrearages are granted without prejudice to subsequent attack by a motion to quash. 5. Orders to locate prepared by the Department of Child Support Services. 6. Order for the restoration of a former name. 7. Order for payment through the Department of Child Support Services. 8. Request for a child protective services report for a minor child requested by Family Court Services.

Deadline

2 court days

Applies to

Order shortening time for hearing

If an order-shortening request is granted, service may be shortened to as little as two court days before the hearing date.

When a request for an order shortening time for hearing and/or taking of a deposition is granted, time for service may be shortened up to two court days before the hearing date

Applies to

Order shortening time for hearing and/or deposition

If an order-shortening request is granted, service may be shortened to two court days before the hearing and five calendar days before the deposition.

When a request for an order shortening time for hearing and/or taking of a deposition is granted, time for service may be shortened up to two court days before the hearing date and five calendar days before the taking of a deposition.

Applies to

Report

CASA reports generally go only to parties and counsel; de facto parents require a court order, and relatives, foster parents, and service providers require a specific court order.

Only parties and their counsel are entitled to receive copies of CASA reports prepared in connection with pending hearings. De facto parents are entitled to receive copies of CASA reports only if there is a court order directing distribution of the report to the de facto parents. Relatives, foster parents and service providers are not entitled to receive copies of CASA reports in the absence of a specific court order.

Applies to

Report

CASA court reports must be copied and distributed by San Mateo County CASA staff.

CASA court reports shall be copied and distributed by CASA of San Mateo County staff.

Applies to

Motion to compel discovery

The original discovery-compulsion motion and proposed order should be filed in the Court Clerk’s Office Traffic Division, with copies served on the citing police agency and District Attorney’s Office.

The original written motion to compel discovery and the proposed order should be filed in the Court Clerk’s office Traffic Division with a copy served on the police agency that issued the citation and the District Attorney’s Office.

When service is required on multiple persons, a separate Proof of Service may be submitted for each service.

If service is required on more than one person, a separate Proof of Service may be submitted for each service.

The court may prescribe or dispense with notice in probate matters.

The court may prescribe or dispense with notice. Refer to California Rules of Court, Rule 7.52(c)

Service

Mail

Probate notice must be mailed to the county seat under the referenced court rule.

Mailed notice to county seat. Refer to California Rules of Court, Rule 7.52(b).