Contra Costa Superior Court Document Format Requirements

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Format

PAPER

Documents filed with the Court must be permanently legible plain-paper copies, and direct facsimile transmission to the Court or Court Clerk is not provided for.

All documents filed must be plain paper copies that are permanently legible copies. There is no provision for direct facsimile transmission to the Court or Court Clerk.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Memoranda and other papers supporting or opposing motions must comply with the California Rules of Court.

All memoranda and other papers filed in support of, and in opposition to, motions shall comply with the requirements of the California Rules of Court.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Every fax-filed document must identify on its first page the attorney service that prepared it, including the service's name, address, and telephone number.

Every fax-filed document shall be stamped on the first page with the name, address, and telephone number of the attorney service that prepared the document for filing.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Attorneys filing exhibits that are untabbed or improperly tabbed may receive monetary sanctions, have their documents disregarded, or have a hearing dropped from calendar.

Counsel of record should take note the Court has and will continue to impose monetary sanctions on attorneys who file documents with untabbed or improperly tabbed exhibits, regardless of whether such documents were fax-filed through an attorney service, and in some instances will disregard those documents or drop a hearing from calendar based on the rule violation.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

The upper-right corner of the first page must state the estimated hearing time and hearing date and department, and must request a removal order when a defendant or necessary witness is in custody outside the Contra Costa County Jail.

All papers shall contain in the upper right-hand corner of the first page, the filing party's estimate of the overall time required for the hearing of the matter, date and department number of the hearing, and a request for a removal order if a defendant or necessary witness is in custody outside the Contra Costa County Jail.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Unless the court grants prior leave for a different form or page limit, family-law pleadings must follow the form and page limits prescribed by the California Rules of Court.

Unless the Court has granted prior leave for a different form or page limit, all pleadings in family law matters shall be in the form, and comply with the page limits, prescribed in the California Rules of Court.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

A judgment, decree, or order must be complete on its own and must include necessary attachments rather than incorporating other documents by reference.

A judgment, degree or order shall be complete in itself, with attachments as necessary to avoid incorporating other documents by reference.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

A confidential account statement must be filed as a separate document with a petitioner’s verified identifying statement and the word “CONFIDENTIAL” in all capital letters in the caption.

Any account statement submitted pursuant to Probate Code Section 2620 which is required by that section to be confidential shall be filed as a separate document complying with California Rules of Court, Rules 2.100 et seq., including a verified statement by the petitioner identifying the document. The caption of the document shall include the word “CONFIDENTIAL” in all capital letters.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Proposed or draft document; may not be in force

All documents filed with the Court must comply with California Rules of Court Rules 2.100 et seq. and 3.1110.

All documents filed with the Court must comply with California Rules of Court, Rules 2.100 et seq., and 3.1110.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Proposed or draft document; may not be in force

Electronically filed documents must comply with California Rules of Court Rule 2.100 et seq. formatting requirements, and electronic signatures must comply with Rule 2.257.

Electronically-filed documents must comply with the format requirements of Rule 2.100 et seq. of the California Rules of Court. Signatures on electronic documents must comply with Rule 2.257 of the California Rules of Court.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Proposed or draft document; may not be in force

The Court states that it will continue imposing monetary sanctions for missing required tabs or bookmarks and may disregard the documents or remove the matter from the calendar.

(B) Counsel of record should take note the Court has and will continue to impose monetary sanctions on attorneys who file documents lacking proper tabs or bookmarks where required, regardless of whether such documents were fax-filed through an attorney service, and in some instances will disregard those documents or drop a hearing from calendar based on the rule violation.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Proposed or draft document; may not be in force

Demurrers must be written and filed according to the timing requirements of California Rules of Court, Rule 4.111.

All demurrers shall be made in writing and filed in accordance with the time limitations set forth in California Rules of Court, Rule 4.111.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Proposed or draft document; may not be in force

Family-law pleadings must generally use the prescribed forms and comply with applicable California Rules of Court and Local Rules page limits unless the court grants prior leave for a different form or limit.

Unless the Court has granted prior leave for a different form or page limit, all pleadings in family law matters shall be in the form, and comply with the page limits, prescribed in the California Rules of Court and these Local Rules.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

A fax filing party must use a machine that generates a transmission record and retain it for transmission or processing errors.

A party using facsimile transmission to file a document must utilize a machine that generates a transmission record and maintain that record in case there is an error in the transmission or the Court fails to process the document.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Every fax-filed document must bear the preparing attorney service’s name, address, and telephone number on its first page.

(A) Every fax-filed document shall be stamped on the first page with the name, address, and telephone number of the attorney service that prepared the document for filing.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Parties must bring the original signed application or response, with all attachments, to the first hearing and produce it for inspection upon request.

Parties shall bring the original, signed application or response with all attachments to the first hearing on the case, at which time they shall produce it for inspection by the Court and all parties upon request.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Family-law pleadings must comply with the forms and page limits prescribed by the California Rules of Court unless the Court grants prior leave for a different form or page limit.

Unless the Court has granted prior leave for a different form or page limit, all pleadings in family law matters shall be in the form, and comply with the page limits, prescribed in the California Rules of Court.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

A holographic instrument offered for probate must be accompanied by a photocopy and an exact line-by-line typewritten copy showing crossed-out words.

When a holographic instrument is offered for probate, a photocopy of the instrument must be accompanied by an exact typewritten copy of the instrument, reproducing the instrument line by line and showing any words crossed out.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Every document filed with the court must comply with California Rules of Court 2.100 et seq. and 3.1110.

All documents filed with the Court must comply with California Rules of Court, Rules 2.100 et seq., and 3.1110.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Electronically filed documents must comply with California Rules of Court formatting requirements, and electronic signatures must comply with Rule 2.257.

Electronically-filed documents must comply with the format requirements of Rule 2.100 et seq. of the California Rules of Court. Signatures on electronic documents must comply with Rule 2.257 of the California Rules of Court.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

All demurrers must be written and filed within the deadline established by California Rules of Court, Rule 4.111.

All demurrers shall be made in writing and filed in accordance with the time limitations set forth in California Rules of Court, Rule 4.111.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

A probate petition offering a holographic instrument must include a photocopy and an exact line-by-line typewritten copy showing crossed-out words.

When a holographic instrument is offered for probate, a photocopy of the instrument must be accompanied by an exact typewritten copy of the instrument, reproducing the instrument line by line and showing any words crossed out.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Every document filed with the court must comply with California Rules of Court 2.100 et seq. and 3.1110.

All documents filed with the Court must comply with California Rules of Court, Rules 2.100 et seq., and 3.1110.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Electronically filed documents must meet the referenced California Rules of Court format and electronic-signature requirements.

Electronically-filed documents must comply with the format requirements of Rule 2.100 et seq. of the California Rules of Court. Signatures on electronic documents must comply with Rule 2.257 of the California Rules of Court.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Remote participants may not record, photograph, or reproduce any part of a hearing, including screenshots, and violators face the sanctions applicable to comparable misconduct in an in-person hearing.

No one appearing remotely may record, photograph or reproduce any hearing, or any part of a hearing, including any screenshots. Any person who violates this provision shall be subject to all sanctions provided under the law for a like action in an in-person hearing.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

The uninsured motorist case declaration must use the specified caption.

The declaration shall be captioned "Request for Temporary Exemption - Uninsured Motorist Case."

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Every document filed from and after the collaborative law stipulation and order must include “Collaborative Law Case” in its caption.

The term “Collaborative Law Case” is to be included in the caption of any document filed with the Court from and after the filing of the collaborative law stipulation and order.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

The filing party must identify confidential documents, and specified confidential records must be marked confidential when submitted for filing regardless of whether filed electronically or otherwise.

(7) Whether filed electronically or otherwise, it is the responsibility of the filing party to identify any documents that are considered confidential. Confidential records, including but not limited to medical, psychological, or educational reports concerning a minor child, or reports from Children and Family Services or Family Court Services, must be marked confidential when submitting for filing.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

All documents filed with the Court must comply with California Rules of Court, Rules 2.100 et seq. and 3.1110.

All documents filed with the Court must comply with California Rules of Court, Rules 2.100 et seq., and 3.1110.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Format

PAPER

Documents filed by facsimile must comply with the applicable California and Contra Costa rules and must be permanently legible plain-paper copies.

Facsimile-produced documents submitted for filing with the Court shall comply with California Rules of Court, Rule 2.300, and all Contra Costa Local Rules of Court. All documents filed must be plain paper copies that are permanently legible copies.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Electronically filed documents must comply with California Rules of Court formatting requirements, and electronic signatures must comply with Rule 2.257.

Electronically-filed documents must comply with the format requirements of Rule 2.100 et seq. of the California Rules of Court. Signatures on electronic documents must comply with Rule 2.257 of the California Rules of Court.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Every fax-filed document must be stamped on its first page with the preparing attorney service’s name, address, and telephone number.

Every fax-filed document shall be stamped on the first page with the name, address, and telephone number of the attorney service that prepared the document for filing.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Judicial Council Form DE-275 is mandatory for an ex parte petition seeking approval of a sale of personal property.

DE-275 Ex Parte Petition for Approval of Sale of Personal Property and Order (Mandatory)

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

All documents filed with the Court must comply with California Rules of Court 2.100 et seq. and 3.1110.

All documents filed with the Court must comply with California Rules of Court, Rules 2.100 et seq, and 3.1110.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Format

PAPER

Facsimile-produced documents submitted for filing must comply with California Rule 2.300 and all Contra Costa local rules and must be permanently legible plain-paper copies.

Facsimile-produced documents submitted for filing with the Court shall comply with California Rules of Court, Rule 2.300, and all Contra Costa Local Rules of Court. All documents filed must be plain paper copies that are permanently legible copies.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Attorneys may face monetary sanctions, document disregard, or removal of a hearing from the calendar for filing documents with untabbed or improperly tabbed exhibits.

Counsel of record should take note the Court has and will continue to impose monetary sanctions on attorneys who file documents with untabbed or improperly tabbed exhibits, regardless of whether such documents were fax-filed through an attorney service, and in some instances will disregard those documents or drop a hearing from calendar based on the rule violation.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Format

PAPER

All filed documents must be permanently legible plain-paper copies.

All documents filed must be plain paper copies that are permanently legible copies.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

A facsimile filing with exhibits that cannot be accurately transmitted must include an insert page for each missing exhibit describing it and explaining its absence.

In the event that a proper facsimile-produced document submitted for filing requires or refers to attached exhibits which, because of the nature of such exhibits cannot be accurately transmitted via facsimile transmission, such documents shall be filed with an insert page for each missing exhibit describing the exhibit and why it is missing.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Electronically filed documents must comply with California Rules of Court formatting requirements in Rule 2.100 and following.

Electronically-filed documents must comply with the format requirements of Rule 2.100 et seq. of the California Rules of Court.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

The first page of every fax-filed document must be stamped with the preparing attorney service's name, address, and telephone number.

Every fax-filed document shall be stamped on the first page with the name, address, and telephone number of the attorney service that prepared the document for filing.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Family-law pleadings must follow the forms and page limits prescribed by the California Rules of Court unless the Court grants prior leave to use a different form or limit.

Unless the Court has granted prior leave for a different form or page limit, all pleadings in family law matters shall be in the form, and comply with the page limits, prescribed in the California Rules of Court.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

A motion to relieve counsel must comply with California Rules of Court Rule 3.1362 and use Judicial Council Forms MC-051, MC-052, and MC-053.

Motions to be relieved as counsel shall be made in conformity with California Rules of Court, Rule 3.1362 using Judicial Council Forms MC-051, MC-052 and MC-053.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

The original document presented to the elisor for signature must match the copy attached to the proposed order.

The original document, presented for signature by the elisor, must match the copy of the document attached to the proposed order.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

All documents filed with the court must comply with California Rules of Court 2.100 et seq. and 3.1110.

All documents filed with the Court must comply with California Rules of Court, Rules 2.100 et seq., and 3.1110.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Electronically filed documents must comply with California Rules of Court formatting requirements, and electronic signatures must comply with Rule 2.257.

Electronically-filed documents must comply with the format requirements of Rule 2.100 et seq. of the California Rules of Court. Signatures on electronic documents must comply with Rule 2.257 of the California Rules of Court.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Motions in limine must be written, consecutively numbered, and filed and served at least 10 calendar days before the Issue Conference; an index is required when a party files more than five motions.

All motions in limine must be in writing and are to be filed and served at least ten (10) calendar days before the conference. Motions in limine should be numbered consecutively and if a party files more than five (5) motions, an index must be provided.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

A moving party must attach the Finding of Noncompliance as an exhibit to a formal discovery motion and may include a brief, factual, non-argumentative recitation of the non-compliance facts.

In the event a formal Discovery Motion is subsequently filed, the moving party shall attach a copy of the Finding of Noncompliance to its papers as an exhibit and may submit a brief, factual, non-argumentative recitation of the facts regarding the non-compliance.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Discovery motion papers must include as their first exhibit a declaration that the parties completed the Discovery Facilitator Program and must attach the facilitator's recommendations and termination document within that exhibit.

Any moving papers shall include, as the first exhibit, a declaration that the parties have completed the Discovery Facilitator Program and shall attach the Recommendations of Discovery Facilitator and Termination of Appointment of Discovery Facilitator as part of the exhibit.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

A judgment, decree, or order must be self-contained and include necessary attachments rather than incorporating documents by reference.

A judgment, decree or order shall be complete in itself, with attachments as necessary to avoid incorporating other documents by reference.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

All documents filed with the Court must comply with California Rules of Court Rules 2.100 et seq. and 3.1110.

All documents filed with the Court must comply with California Rules of Court, Rules 2.100 et seq, and 3.1110.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Format

PAPER

Facsimile-produced documents submitted for filing must comply with California Rule of Court 2.300 and all Contra Costa Local Rules, and must be permanently legible plain-paper copies.

Facsimile-produced documents submitted for filing with the Court shall comply with California Rules of Court, Rule 2.300, and all Contra Costa Local Rules of Court. All documents filed must be plain paper copies that are permanently legible copies.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Every fax-filed document must bear the preparing attorney service's name, address, and telephone number on its first page.

(A) Every fax-filed document shall be stamped on the first page with the name, address, and telephone number of the attorney service that prepared the document for filing.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Exhibits in filed documents must be properly tabbed, and violations may result in monetary sanctions, disregard of the documents, or removal of a hearing from the calendar.

(C) Counsel of record should take note the Court has and will continue to impose monetary sanctions on attorneys who file documents with untabbed or improperly tabbed exhibits, regardless of whether such documents were fax-filed through an attorney service, and in some instances will disregard those documents or drop a hearing from calendar based on the rule violation.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

The first page’s upper-right corner must contain the hearing-time estimate, hearing date and department number, and a removal-order request when the defendant or necessary witness is in custody outside the county jail.

All papers shall contain in the upper right-hand corner of the first page, the filing party's estimate of the overall time required for the hearing of the matter, date and department number of the hearing, and a request for a removal order if a defendant or necessary witness is in custody outside the Contra Costa County Jail.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Family-law pleadings must follow the forms and page limits prescribed by the California Rules of Court unless the court grants prior leave for a different form or limit.

Unless the Court has granted prior leave for a different form or page limit, all pleadings in family law matters shall be in the form, and comply with the page limits, prescribed in the California Rules of Court.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

All documents filed with the Court must comply with California Rules of Court, Rules 2.100 et seq. and 3.1110.

All documents filed with the Court must comply with California Rules of Court, Rules 2.100 et seq., and 3.1110.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

A judge may authorize a longer memorandum upon application, and a memorandum that violates the limit generally will not be considered unless the court orders otherwise.

(D) On application, a judge may authorize filing of a longer memorandum. Except as otherwise ordered, any memorandum submitted in violation of this rule will not be considered.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Format

PAPER

Except for applications for restraining orders under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA), applicants must submit the appropriate fee or fee waiver and the application’s original and two (2) copies.

With the exception of applications for restraining orders filed under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA), all applications must be submitted with the appropriate fee or fee waiver, and the original and two (2) copies of the application.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Unless law provides otherwise or the Court orders otherwise, parties must make motions in writing and have them heard before jeopardy attaches, at least five (5) court days after notice.

Except as provided by law, all motions shall be in writing, shall be heard before the attachment of jeopardy and shall be heard five (5) or more court days after notice unless the Court orders otherwise.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

The court will not store dangerous, toxic, or bio-hazardous exhibits, and the introducing party must bring photographs on the intended introduction date for marking and substitution upon a finding of good cause.

The Court will not store dangerous, toxic or bio-hazardous materials as exhibits in any case, including but not limited to drugs, paraphernalia, paint, bodily fluids, urine and weapons. The party intending to introduce any of these above referenced materials shall bring photographs of the materials on the date they intend to introduce the materials in court. This photograph will be marked and substituted for the materials when the court finds good cause to do so.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Format

PAPER

Facsimile-produced documents filed with the Court must comply with the applicable rules and be permanently legible plain-paper copies.

Facsimile-produced documents submitted for filing with the Court shall comply with California Rules of Court, Rule 2.300, and all Contra Costa Local Rules of Court. All documents filed must be plain paper copies that are permanently legible copies.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

The previously signed order must accompany the ex parte application or declaration as an attachment.

The previously signed order must be attached to the ex parte application or declaration.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

A judgment, decree, or order must be self-contained and include necessary attachments rather than incorporating other documents by reference.

A judgment, decree or order shall be complete in itself, with attachments as necessary to avoid incorporating other documents by reference.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Facsimile produced document

A facsimile filing that cannot accurately transmit required or referenced exhibits must include an insert page for each missing exhibit explaining its absence.

In the event that a proper facsimile-produced document submitted for filing requires or refers to attached exhibits which, because of the nature of such exhibits cannot be accurately transmitted via facsimile transmission, such documents shall be filed with an insert page for each missing exhibit describing the exhibit and why it is missing.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Facsimile filing

Each authorized facsimile filing must be accompanied by the Judicial Council Facsimile Filing Cover Sheet specified by California Rules of Court, Rule 2.304(b).

A facsimile filing shall be accompanied by a Judicial Council Facsimile Filing Cover Sheet as specified in California Rules of Court, Rule 2.304(b).

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Family-law pleadings must follow the form and page limits prescribed by the California Rules of Court unless prior leave is granted, and an optional memorandum may not exceed 15 pages.

Unless the Court has granted prior leave for a different form or page limit, all pleadings in family law matters shall be in the form, and comply with the page limits, prescribed in the California Rules of Court. Any optional Memorandum of Points and Authorities shall not exceed 15 pages. The Court may refuse to consider any pleading that does not comply with the form and page limits.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

All documents filed with the court must comply with California Rules of Court, Rules 2.100 et seq. and 3.1110.

Rule 2.70. Form of Documents Filed with the Court All documents filed with the Court must comply with California Rules of Court, Rules 2.100 et seq., and 3.1110.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Electronically filed documents must comply with California Rules of Court formatting requirements under Rule 2.100 et seq.

Electronically-filed documents must comply with the format requirements of Rule 2.100 et seq. of the California Rules of Court.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Every fax-filed document must bear the preparing attorney service’s name, address, and telephone number on its first page.

Every fax-filed document shall be stamped on the first page with the name, address, and telephone number of the attorney service that prepared the document for filing.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Unless the Court grants prior leave, family-law pleadings must comply with prescribed forms and page limits, and an optional memorandum of points and authorities may not exceed 15 pages; noncompliant pleadings may be disregarded.

Unless the Court has granted prior leave for a different form or page limit, all pleadings in family law matters shall be in the form, and comply with the page limits, prescribed in the California Rules of Court and these Local Rules. Any optional Memorandum of Points and Authorities shall not exceed 15 pages. The Court may refuse to consider any pleading that does not comply with the form and page limits.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026CRITICAL

Confidential records must be enclosed in a sealed envelope between 7 by 10 inches and 8½ by 11 inches, with the case name, case number, and document identity displayed.

Confidential records, including medical, psychological, or educational reports concerning a minor child, or reports from Children and Family Services or Family Court Services, shall not be attached to filed pleadings. A party intending to rely on such reports at a hearing shall submit a copy to the courtroom clerk and to all parties no later than 5 calendar days before the scheduled hearing. The documents shall be submitted in a sealed envelope not smaller than 7 by 10 inches or larger than 8 ½ by 11 inches in size. The envelope must show the case name, case number and identity of the documents enclosed.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

All documents filed with the Court must comply with California Rules of Court Rules 2.100 et seq. and 3.1110.

All documents filed with the Court must comply with California Rules of Court, Rules 2.100 et seq., and 3.1110.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Format

PAPER

Documents filed through the facsimile process must be permanently legible plain-paper copies and comply with the cited filing rules.

Facsimile-produced documents submitted for filing with the Court shall comply with California Rules of Court, Rule 2.300, and all Contra Costa Local Rules of Court. All documents filed must be plain paper copies that are permanently legible copies.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Electronically filed documents and their signatures must comply with specified California Rules of Court formatting requirements.

Electronically-filed documents must comply with the format requirements of Rule 2.100 et seq. of the California Rules of Court. Signatures on electronic documents must comply with Rule 2.257 of the California Rules of Court.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Counsel should ensure that exhibits are properly tabbed because the Court may impose monetary sanctions, disregard the documents, or drop the hearing for untabbed or improperly tabbed exhibits.

(C) Counsel of record should take note the Court has and will continue to impose monetary sanctions on attorneys who file documents with untabbed or improperly tabbed exhibits, regardless of whether such documents were fax-filed through an attorney service, and in some instances will disregard those documents or drop a hearing from calendar based on the rule violation.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Family-law pleadings must use the form and page limits prescribed by the California Rules of Court unless the court grants prior leave to use a different form or limit.

Unless the Court has granted prior leave for a different form or page limit, all pleadings in family law matters shall be in the form, and comply with the page limits, prescribed in the California Rules of Court.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

All motions subject to the rule must be in writing, be heard before attachment of jeopardy, and ordinarily be heard at least five court days after notice unless the Court orders otherwise.

Except as provided by law, all motions shall be in writing, shall be heard before the attachment of jeopardy and shall be heard five (5) or more court days after notice unless the Court orders otherwise.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026CRITICAL

Briefs must be prepared, served, and filed under California Rules of Court 8.88 and must comply with Rules 8.883 and 8.884.

Briefs shall be prepared, served, and filed as provided by California Rules of Court, Rule 8.88. Briefs shall comply with the provisions of California Rules of Court 8.883 and 8.884.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026WARNING

All documents filed with the court must comply with California Rules of Court 2.100 et seq. and 3.1110.

All documents filed with the Court must comply with California Rules of Court, Rules 2.100 et seq, and 3.1110.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026WARNING

Motions in limine should be consecutively numbered, and a party filing more than five must provide an index.

Motions in limine should be numbered consecutively and if a party files more than five (5) motions an index must be provided.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026WARNING

Facsimile-document signatures are treated as original signatures unless a timely request is made for the original or a substitute.

Signatures on facsimile-produced documents shall be treated as original signatures unless a request is timely made to produce or substitute the original document.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026WARNING

Filed documents must have properly tabbed exhibits and, when electronically filed, properly bookmarked exhibits.

(3) Despite Rule 3.1110 of the California Rules of Court, subdivision (f), a large number of documents filed with the Court include exhibits that are not properly tabbed or ,where electronically filed, are not properly bookmarked. The purpose of this rule is to discourage such rule violations, which impose a substantial burden on judges and staff.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026WARNING

Family-law pleadings must follow the prescribed form and page limits unless the court has granted prior leave for a different form or page limit.

Unless the Court has granted prior leave for a different form or page limit, all pleadings in family law matters shall be in the form, and comply with the page limits, prescribed in the California Rules of Court and these Local Rules.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026WARNING

A party may request an extension of a declaration's length by filing an ex parte application in advance.

Requests to extend the length of a declaration may be submitted in advance by ex parte application.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026WARNING

Memoranda and other papers supporting or opposing motions must comply with the California Rules of Court.

All memoranda and other papers filed in support of, and in opposition to, motions shall comply with the requirements of the California Rules of Court.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 2, 2026WARNING

Zoom is the Court's sole platform for remote appearances.

The Court has uses Zoom (audio and video) as its sole remote appearance platform.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026WARNING

Administrative records should be submitted on a flash drive, unless the Court orders hard-copy submission.

Administrative records should be submitted on a flash drive, or by hard copy if ordered by the Court.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026WARNING

Memoranda and other papers supporting or opposing motions must comply with the California Rules of Court.

All memoranda and other papers filed in support of, and in opposition to, motions shall comply with the requirements of the California Rules of Court.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026WARNING

A party filing by facsimile must use a machine that generates a transmission record and retain it for possible transmission or processing errors.

A party using facsimile transmission to file a document must utilize a machine that generates a transmission record and maintain that record in case there is an error in the transmission or the Court fails to process the document.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026WARNING

Exhibits included in filed documents must be properly tabbed; the Court may sanction counsel, disregard the documents, or drop a hearing for an untabbing violation.

Counsel of record should take note the Court has and will continue to impose monetary sanctions on attorneys who file documents with untabbed or improperly tabbed exhibits, regardless of whether such documents were fax-filed through an attorney service, and in some instances will disregard those documents or drop a hearing from calendar based on the rule violation.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026WARNING

The Court may refuse to consider a pleading that fails to comply with applicable form or page limits.

The Court may refuse to consider any pleading that does not comply with the form and page limits.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026WARNING

Electronically filed documents must comply with specified California Rules of Court formatting and electronic-signature requirements.

Electronically-filed documents must comply with the format requirements of Rule 2.100 et seq. of the California Rules of Court. Signatures on electronic documents must comply with Rule 2.257 of the California Rules of Court.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026WARNING

Demurrers must be in writing and filed under the timing limitations in California Rules of Court, Rule 4.111.

All demurrers shall be made in writing and filed in accordance with the time limitations set forth in California Rules of Court, Rule 4.111.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026WARNING

The filing party must identify confidential documents, and specified confidential records must be marked confidential when submitted for filing, whether filed electronically or otherwise.

(7) Whether filed electronically or otherwise, it is the responsibility of the filing party to identify any documents that are considered confidential. Confidential records, including but not limited to medical, psychological, or educational reports concerning a minor child, or reports from Children and Family Services or Family Court Services, must be marked confidential when submitting for filing.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026WARNING

Signatures on facsimile-produced documents are treated as original signatures unless a timely request is made to produce or substitute the original document.

Signatures on facsimile-produced documents shall be treated as original signatures unless a request is timely made to produce or substitute the original document.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026WARNING

Exhibits included with court filings must be properly tabbed.

(3) Despite Rule 3.1110 of the California Rules of Court, subdivision (f), a large number of documents filed with the Court include exhibits that are not properly tabbed.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026WARNING

Facsimile-produced signatures are treated as original signatures unless a timely request is made for the original document.

Signatures on facsimile-produced documents shall be treated as original signatures unless a request is timely made to produce or substitute the original document.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026WARNING

Applies to

Facsimile filing

A party filing by facsimile must use a machine that generates a transmission record and retain that record to address transmission or processing errors.

A party using facsimile transmission to file a document must utilize a machine that generates a transmission record and maintain that record in case there is an error in the transmission or the Court fails to process the document.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026WARNING

Memoranda and other papers supporting or opposing motions must comply with the California Rules of Court.

All memoranda and other papers filed in support of, and in opposition to, motions shall comply with the requirements of the California Rules of Court.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026WARNING

Sensitive exhibits must be packaged and stored separately, and sharp objects must be specially wrapped and labeled for handler protection.

All controlled substances, guns, money, valuables, and other sensitive exhibits shall be packaged and stored separately from other exhibits. Sharp objects such as knives, needles and glass shall be specially wrapped and labeled for the handler’s protection.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026WARNING

A probate filing offering a holographic instrument must include a photocopy and an exact typewritten copy that reproduces the instrument line by line and shows crossed-out words.

When a holographic instrument is offered for probate, a photocopy of the instrument must be accompanied by an exact typewritten copy of the instrument, reproducing the instrument line by line and showing any words crossed out.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026WARNING

A facsimile filing with exhibits that cannot be transmitted accurately must include an insert page for each missing exhibit describing it and explaining the omission.

In the event that a proper facsimile-produced document submitted for filing requires or refers to attached exhibits which, because of the nature of such exhibits cannot be accurately transmitted via facsimile transmission, such documents shall be filed with an insert page for each missing exhibit describing the exhibit and why it is missing.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026WARNING

Repeated filing by an attorney service of documents with untabbed or improperly tabbed exhibits will be referred to the Presiding Judge for appropriate action.

If a particular attorney service repeatedly files documents with untabbed or improperly tabbed exhibits, the matter will be referred to the Presiding Judge for appropriate action.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026WARNING

Attorneys may face monetary sanctions, document disregard, or removal of a hearing from the calendar for filing exhibits that are untabbed or improperly tabbed.

The Court has and will continue to impose monetary sanctions on attorneys who file documents with untabbed or improperly tabbed exhibits, regardless of whether such documents were fax-filed through an attorney service, and in some instances will disregard those documents or drop a hearing from calendar based on the rule violation.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 2, 2026WARNING

A judge may authorize a longer memorandum upon application, but an over-limit memorandum generally will not be considered absent a contrary order.

On application, a judge may authorize filing of a longer memorandum. Except as otherwise ordered, any memorandum submitted in violation of this rule will not be considered.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026WARNING

Every fax-filed document must identify on its first page the attorney service that prepared it for filing, including the service's name, address, and telephone number.

(A) Every fax-filed document shall be stamped on the first page with the name, address, and telephone number of the attorney service that prepared the document for filing.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 2, 2026INFO

Facsimile-document signatures are treated as original signatures unless a timely request is made for the original or a substitute.

Signatures on facsimile-produced documents shall be treated as original signatures unless a request is timely made to produce or substitute the original document.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

With the exception of applications for restraining orders filed under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA), all applications must be submitted with the appropriate fee or fee waiver, and the original and two (2) copies of the application.

Summary: Except for DVPA restraining-order applications, applicants must submit the original application and two additional copies.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Format

PAPER

All documents filed must be plain paper copies that are permanently legible copies.

Summary: Documents filed by facsimile must be permanently legible plain-paper copies.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

With the exception of applications for restraining orders filed under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA), all applications must be submitted with the appropriate fee or fee waiver, and the original and two (2) copies of the application.

Summary: Except for applications for restraining orders filed under the DVPA, applicants must submit the appropriate fee or fee waiver, the original application, and two (2) copies.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Except as provided by law, all motions shall be in writing, shall be heard before the attachment of jeopardy and shall be heard five (5) or more court days after notice unless the Court orders otherwise.

Summary: Juvenile motions generally must be written, heard before jeopardy attaches, and set for hearing at least five court days after notice unless the Court orders otherwise.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

All controlled substances, guns, money, valuables, and other sensitive exhibits shall be packaged and stored separately from other exhibits. Sharp objects such as knives, needles and glass shall be specially wrapped and labeled for the handler’s protection. (For instance, a syringe shall be packaged by the police agency in a plastic tube.) Any party submitting such items, and anyone arranging transfer of such items, shall notify the exhibits clerk or the courtroom clerk of these objects and about any dangers associated with them.

Summary: Sensitive exhibits must be packaged and stored separately, sharp objects must be specially wrapped and labeled, and submitting or transferring parties must notify the exhibits or courtroom clerk of the objects and associated dangers.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Remote appearances in contested hearings, excluding those described in subsection (c), shall be by video. Audio-only appearances shall not be permitted for such hearings unless specifically permitted by the judicial officer.

Summary: Remote appearances at contested hearings must be by video unless the judicial officer specifically permits an audio-only appearance.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

All documents filed with the Court must comply with California Rules of Court, Rules 2.100 et seq., and 3.1110.

Summary: Every document filed with the court must comply with California Rules of Court Rules 2.100 through 3.1110.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

With the exception of applications for restraining orders filed under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA), all applications must be submitted with the appropriate fee or fee waiver, and the original and two (2) copies of the application.

Summary: Except for DVPA restraining-order applications, every application must be submitted with the original and two copies.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

a large number of documents filed with the Court include exhibits that are not properly tabbed or ,where electronically filed, are not properly bookmarked.

Summary: Filed documents must have properly tabbed exhibits and, for electronically filed documents, properly bookmarked exhibits.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

With the exception of applications for restraining orders filed under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA), all applications must be submitted with the appropriate fee or fee waiver, and the original and two (2) copies of the application.

Summary: Except for DVPA restraining-order applications, applicants must submit the original application and two additional copies.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Unless the Court has granted prior leave for a different form or page limit, all pleadings in family law matters shall be in the form, and comply with the page limits, prescribed in the California Rules of Court and these Local Rules.

Summary: Unless the court grants prior leave for a different form or page limit, family-law pleadings must use the prescribed form and comply with the California Rules of Court and Local Rules page limits.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

When a holographic instrument is offered for probate, a photocopy of the instrument must be accompanied by an exact typewritten copy of the instrument, reproducing the instrument line by line and showing any words crossed out.

Summary: A photocopy of a holographic instrument offered for probate must be accompanied by an exact line-by-line typewritten copy showing crossed-out words.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Format

PAPER

A party must file all original papers with the Clerk of the Court and all applicable fees must be paid within the same time and in the same manner as would be required if the court were trying the case.

Summary: Original case papers before a temporary judge must be filed with the clerk, and applicable fees must be paid on the same timing and payment basis as in an ordinary court trial.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Exhibits toxic by nature that pose a health hazard to humans shall be introduced to the court in the form of a photographic records and written chemical analysis certified by a competent authority. Where the court finds that good cause exists to depart from this procedure, toxic exhibits may be brought into the courtroom and introduced. However, following introduction of the exhibit, the person or persons previously in possession of the exhibit shall take responsibility for it and the court shall not store the exhibit.

Summary: Toxic exhibits posing a human health hazard must be introduced as photographic records accompanied by a chemical analysis certified by a competent authority, unless the court finds good cause to permit the actual exhibit, which the court will not store after introduction.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Format

PAPER

All documents filed must be plain paper copies that are permanently legible copies.

Summary: Facsimile-produced documents filed with the court must be permanently legible plain-paper copies.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Motion ?

the filing party may move the Court for an order filing the document nunc pro tunc by including the proof of transmission with the document.

Summary: If a facsimile transmission error or processing failure occurs, the filing party may move for nunc pro tunc filing by including proof of transmission with the motion.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Format

PAPER

All documents filed must be plain paper copies that are permanently legible copies. There is no provision for direct facsimile transmission to the Court or Court Clerk.

Summary: Facsimile-produced filings must be permanently legible plain-paper copies, and direct facsimile transmission to the Court or Clerk is not provided for.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Proposed or draft document; may not be in force

(A) If a particular attorney service repeatedly files documents lacking proper tabs or bookmarks where required, the matter will be referred to the Presiding Judge for appropriate action.

Summary: Repeated filings by an attorney service lacking required tabs or bookmarks will be referred to the Presiding Judge for appropriate action.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Proposed or draft document; may not be in force

Whenever possible, each party must also: (1) Pre–mark all exhibits; and

Summary: Whenever possible, each party in a temporary judge civil trial must pre-mark all exhibits.

We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.WARNING?

Proposed or draft document; may not be in force

Whenever possible, each party must also: (2) Give the temporary judge an exhibit list, witness list, and opening statement.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Proposed or draft document; may not be in force

All papers shall contain in the upper right-hand corner of the first page, the filing party's estimate of the overall time required for the hearing of the matter, date and department number of the hearing, and a request for a removal order if a defendant or necessary witness is in custody outside the Contra Costa County Jail.

Summary: The first page of all papers must state the estimated hearing time, hearing date and department number, and include a removal-order request when a defendant or necessary witness is confined outside the Contra Costa County Jail.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

The Court may refuse to consider any pleading that does not comply with the form and page limits.

Summary: The Court may refuse to consider a pleading that does not comply with the applicable form and page limits.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

On application, a judge may authorize filing of a longer memorandum. Except as otherwise ordered, any memorandum submitted in violation of this rule will not be considered.

Summary: A judge may authorize a longer criminal-motion memorandum upon application, but a noncompliant memorandum ordinarily will not be considered.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Despite Rule 3.1110 of the California Rules of Court, subdivision (f), a large number of documents filed with the Court include exhibits that are not properly tabbed or ,where electronically filed, are not properly bookmarked.

Summary: Exhibits in court filings must be properly tabbed and, when electronically filed, properly bookmarked where required.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

All matters set on a short cause calendar are limited to 20 minutes of hearing time.

Summary: Matters set on the short-cause calendar are limited to 20 minutes of hearing time.

We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.WARNING?

Counsel of record should take note the Court has and will continue to impose monetary sanctions on attorneys who file documents with untabbed or improperly tabbed exhibits, regardless of whether such documents were fax-filed through an attorney service, and in some instances will disregard those documents or drop a hearing from calendar based on the rule violation.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Format

PAPER ?

With the exception of applications for restraining orders filed under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA), all applications must be submitted with the appropriate fee or fee waiver, and the original and two (2) copies of the application.

Summary: Except for DVPA restraining-order applications, all applications must include the original and two copies.

We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.WARNING?

Civil cases

No “blank” or incomplete jury instructions or jury verdict forms should be provided.

We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.INFO?

Civil cases

Uncontested motions may be indicated by a notation on the binder index.