Ventura Superior Court Document Format Requirements
51 rules from official source documents
42 of 51 checked against the court's document. Each rule says how far it was checked. A value with a question mark is not in the court's wording on its card.
Font, margin, spacing, and file format requirements for court filings. This page is scoped to Ventura Superior Court; use the court rules overview to switch categories without leaving this court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
Hard-copy filings in the specified eCourt case types may not use exhibit tabs or dividers that enlarge the page beyond 8.5 by 11 inches.
For all eCourt case types (Civil, Probate, Small Claims, Mental Health, and all Civil Restraining Orders), hard copy documents submitted for filing shall not include exhibit tabs or other dividers which cause the page to exceed ”8 ½ by 11”.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
- Format
Copies lodged through a courtroom email proxy must be submitted in PDF format.
B. Lodged copies submitted to a courtroom’s email proxy must be in PDF format.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Digital submission
Digital submissions are accepted only in the listed document, image, audio, and video formats.
C. The Ventura Superior Court accepts digital submissions only in the following formats: • Document: .docx, .xlsx, .pptx, .pdf • Image: .png, .jpg, .gif, .bmp, .tiff • Audio: .mp3, .wav • Video: .mp4
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
Counsel-prepared jury instructions must follow Exhibit A unless the trial court orders or permits otherwise.
Jury instructions prepared by counsel will be accepted only in the format of Exhibit A hereto, unless otherwise ordered or allowed by the trial court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
Each petition for probate of a will must have a typed copy of the will attached.
Each petition for probate of a will shall have attached thereto a typed copy of the will.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
Proposed findings and orders must be submitted separately from all attachments and cover memoranda.
If any party proposes findings and orders, the proposed findings and orders shall be submitted to the court separate from any attachments or cover memoranda.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
Psychological evaluation reports must not be attached to court reports and must instead be filed separately in the confidential portion of the court file.
In order to protect the parties’ privacy and to prevent the inadvertent disclosure of confidential psychological information, psychological evaluation reports shall not be attached to a court report but shall be separately filed in the confidential part of the court’s file.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
- Format
Electronic briefs must be text-searchable PDFs, be properly paginated, contain bookmarks, and comply with applicable content and form rules.
Electronic briefs must be submitted in PDF text searchable format, properly paginated, contain bookmarks and comply with applicable California Rules of Court regarding content and form.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Counsel-prepared jury instructions will be accepted only in the Exhibit A format unless the trial court orders or permits otherwise.
Jury instructions prepared by counsel will be accepted only in the format of Exhibit A hereto, unless otherwise ordered or allowed by the trial court. (Deleted effective 01/01/2027)
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
Relevant portions must be highlighted on any exhibit exceeding five pages.
If an exhibit is more than five pages, highlight the relevant portions.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
Electronically submitted exhibits must be bookmarked and text searchable.
Electronically submitted exhibits must be bookmarked and text searchable.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
Paper copies of exhibits must be tabbed by exhibit number.
Paper copies must be tabbed by exhibit number.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
Every page of every exhibit must be numbered in an exhibit-and-page format.
Page Numbering: Each page of each exhibit must be numbered (e.g., Exh. A, Page 1).
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
Trial-document chambers copies must be placed in a labeled, tabbed three-ring binder with a document index.
The chambers copies shall be placed in a labeled and tabbed 3-ring binder with an index of documents.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
An electronic administrative record must be lodged on a thumb drive inside an 8½-by-11-inch envelope bearing a case-caption page on its front.
Electronic administrative records must be lodged with the Court on a thumb drive contained in an 8 ½ x 11 envelope with a case caption page on the front of the envelope.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
Electronic exhibits must be indexed and bookmarked, should be text-searchable when possible, and each record page must be identified by its Administrative Record page number and index description.
Electronic exhibits must have an index, be bookmarked, text searchable (whenever possible), and each page of the record must be identified by the page number of the Administrative Record, and according to the index description.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
- Format
- PAPER
If a paper administrative record is submitted, it must be delivered to Department 44 and comply with Rule 3.1110(f)(1)-(3).
If a paper copy of the administrative record is provided, the record shall be delivered to Department 44 and must comply with Rule 3.1110(f) (1)-(3).
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
All trial exhibits must be pre-marked with numbers using a unique number range for each party.
Pre-mark all exhibits with numbers (unique number ranges per party)
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
Duplicate trial exhibits are prohibited.
No duplicate exhibits
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
Trial exhibits must be placed in numerically tabbed binders whose spines show the exhibit-number ranges.
Place exhibits in numerically tabbed binders with binder spines to reflect exhibit number ranges
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
Every exhibit page must bear an exhibit and page number, and standalone unattached pages will not be admitted.
Each page of every exhibit must be marked by exhibit and page number (e.g., Exh. 1-001, or Exh. 1, p. 1.). Standalone pages will not be admitted from an exhibit.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
A party presenting slides to the jury must provide printed copies to all other parties and the court clerk at least 15 minutes before the presentation.
Any party showing a PowerPoint or similar presentation to the jury in opening statements or closing arguments shall provide a printed hardcopy of the slides to all other parties and the Court clerk at least 15 minutes prior to the presentation.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
Each page of a multi-page exhibit must be numbered at the bottom with the exhibit number and consecutive page number.
Multi-page exhibits shall be numbered at the bottom of the page with the exhibit number plus the consecutive page number of the exhibit (i.e., Ex. 17-003 to refer to page 3 of exhibit 17).
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
All exhibits, including impeachment materials, must be pre-marked with numbers, and each party must use a unique number range.
All exhibits, including impeachment materials, shall be pre-marked using numbers, with each party assigned a unique number range to avoid duplication.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
Each exhibit binder's spine must be labeled with the exhibit numbers contained in it.
The spine of the binder shall be appropriately labeled and shall indicate the exhibit numbers contained therein.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
Each page of a multi-page exhibit must be numbered at the bottom with the exhibit number and consecutive page number.
Multi-page exhibits shall be numbered at the bottom of the page with the exhibit number plus the consecutive page number of the exhibit (i.e. Ex. 17-003 to refer to page 3 of exhibit 17).
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
- Format
- PAPER
A party using slides must provide printed hard copies to counsel and the clerk no later than 15 minutes before the presentation.
Any party showing a PowerPoint or similar presentation to the jury in opening statements or closing arguments shall provide a printed hard copy of the slides to counsel and the clerk not later than 15 minutes before the presentation.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026WARNING
Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
A permanent medical-excuse note must be on the provider’s letterhead, be signed by the provider, identify the juror by full name and badge number, and state that the juror has a permanent physical or mental disability or impairment.
If you are requesting a permanent medical excuse, the note must state that you have a permanent physical or mental disability or impairment that makes you incapable of performing jury service, pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 2.1009. Note Requirements: • Must be on the Health Care Provider’s letterhead. • Must be signed by the Health Care Provider. • Must include your full name and badge number_______________________. • Must state that you have a permanent physical or mental disability or impairment.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026WARNING
The exhibit number or letter must appear in the footer of every page of each exhibit.
Parties shall specify the exhibit number or letter in the footer of every page of each exhibit.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026WARNING
Counsel must pre-mark and exchange exhibits, prepare a joint exhibit list and exhibit binders, and provide binders for opposing counsel, the witness stand, the bench, and the clerk if the judge orders a clerk copy.
Pre-mark and exchange exhibits. Prepare a joint exhibit list and exhibit binders. An exhibit binder is needed for each of the following 1) opposing counsel(s), 2) witness stand, 3) bench, and 4) clerk (if ordered by the judge).
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026WARNING
Findings and orders after hearing, stipulations and orders, and judgments must be submitted in legible, hand-printed or typewritten form.
All Findings and Orders After Hearing, Stipulation and Orders and all Judgments shall be submitted to the court in a legible form, either hand printed or typewritten.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026WARNING
When an administrative record is divided into volumes, each page should identify its volume, exhibit number, and page number.
To the extent the record is broken up into volumes, each page of the Administrative Record should reflect the Volume, Exhibit Number, and Page Number.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026WARNING
Exhibits supporting or opposing a motion must be consecutively numbered at the bottom of each page, and exhibit references in briefs or declarations should include page numbers.
Exhibits submitted in support of or in opposition to a motion must consecutively numbered at the bottom of the page and references to exhibits in briefs or declarations should include the page number.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026WARNING
With court approval, abbreviated opening statements may be presented for no more than two minutes per party and must contain only neutral, non-argumentative descriptions of claims and defenses.
Any party may request court approval to provide abbreviated opening statements in accordance with CCP 222.5(d). Abbreviated statements shall not exceed 2 minutes per party and shall include only neutral non-argumentative descriptions of each party’s claims and defenses.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026WARNING
Pages of exhibits supporting or opposing motions should be consecutively numbered at the bottom, and exhibit references in briefs or declarations should include the page number.
All pages of exhibits submitted in support of or opposition to motions should be consecutively numbered at the bottom of the page and references to exhibits in briefs or declarations ===== PAGE 4 ===== should include the page number.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026WARNING
Pages intended for separate admission should be separately tabbed and numbered as standalone exhibits.
If the parties wish to admit only certain pages of an exhibit, those pages should be separately tabbed and numbered as standalone exhibits.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026WARNING
Exhibits supporting or opposing motions should be consecutively numbered at the bottom of each page, and exhibit references in briefs or declarations should include the page number.
All pages of exhibits submitted in support of or opposition to motions should be consecutively numbered at the bottom of the page and references to exhibits in briefs or declarations should include the page number.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026WARNING
Parties should include only exhibits relevant and necessary to the motion and highlight the relevant portions.
Parties should limit exhibits to only those relevant and necessary to the motion, with relevant portions highlighted.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026WARNING
Pages intended for separate admission should be individually tabbed and numbered as standalone exhibits.
If the parties wish to admit only certain pages of an exhibit, those pages should be separately tabbed and numbered as standalone exhibits.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026INFO
CASA reports have no court-prescribed format.
There is no required format for a CASA report.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026INFO
Exhibits should be tabbed at the bottom of the pleadings.
Exhibits should be tabbed at the bottom of the pleadings.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026INFO
For an exhibit longer than five pages, the relevant portions should be highlighted.
If an exhibit is more than five (5) pages, please highlight the relevant portions of the exhibit.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
- Format
Such specifically requested documents will be electronically delivered in .pdf format as an attachment to electronic mail delivered to courtroomJ6@ventura.courts.ca.gov within twenty-four (24) hours of the request by the court unless the court has indicated otherwise.
Summary: Court-requested post-hearing documents must be emailed to the designated address in PDF format within 24 hours unless the court directs otherwise.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
To prevent confusion, the proposed order must strike the entire erroneous clause or sentence and then restate the entire clause or sentence as corrected.
Summary: A proposed nunc pro tunc order must strike the entire erroneous clause or sentence and restate the complete corrected clause or sentence.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
The party filing a confidential document shall be responsible to clearly indicate it is a confidential document by stamping or writing in red ink on the front page “Confidential” unless otherwise required by law.
Summary: A dependency filing containing a confidential document must be marked “Confidential” in red ink on the front page unless law requires another marking.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
Civil cases
- Format
Service shall be either by personal service or by email service with pdf attachment.
Summary: Email service of trial briefs, witness lists, and in limine motions must use a PDF attachment.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
All exhibits, including impeachment materials, shall be pre-marked using numbers, with each party assigned a unique number range to avoid duplication. The parties shall agree on a master set of exhibits, excluding impeachment materials, and shall place such exhibits into numerically tabbed binders. The binders shall not be more than two inches, and the spine of the binder shall be labeled to indicate the number range of the exhibits contained in each binder. The parties are responsible to ensure that each party has a complete set of exhibits.
Summary: Exhibits must be numerically pre-marked, organized in tabbed binders no more than two inches thick, labeled by exhibit number range, and provided as a complete set to each party.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
The parties shall agree on a master set of exhibits, excluding impeachment materials, and shall place such exhibits into numerically tabbed binders, which binders shall not be more than two inches. The spine of the binder shall be appropriately labeled and shall indicate the exhibit numbers contained therein.
Summary: The parties must prepare a master exhibit set, excluding impeachment materials, in numerically tabbed binders no thicker than two inches with appropriately labeled spines identifying the exhibit numbers.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
The parties shall agree on a master set of exhibits, excluding impeachment materials, and shall place such exhibits into numerically tabbed binders, which binders shall not be more than two inches.
Summary: The parties must agree on a master exhibit set, excluding impeachment materials, and place it in numerically tabbed binders no thicker than two inches.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?
Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Must be on the Health Care Provider’s letterhead or prescription pad.
Summary: A current jury-duty medical excuse must be on the health care provider’s letterhead or prescription pad.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?
- Format
The electronic version of the brief shall be in a portable document format (PDF) capable of full text searching and, unless the court directs otherwise, contain hyperlinks to material cited in the brief, including the administrative record, cited decisions, and any other brief in the case filed electronically by the parties.
Summary: The electronic version of a brief on the merits must be a searchable PDF and, unless the court directs otherwise, must contain hyperlinks to cited materials.
What formatting rules apply to filings in Ventura Superior Court?
Ventura Superior Court's formatting rule includes letter paper and no exhibit tabs or other dividers that cause the page to exceed 8 1/2 by 11 inches. Hard-copy filings in the specified eCourt case types may not use exhibit tabs or dividers that enlarge the page beyond 8.5 by 11 inches.
Judge Charmaine H. Buehner's formatting rule includes electronically submitted exhibits must be bookmarked. and electronically submitted exhibits must be text searchable.. Electronically submitted exhibits must be bookmarked and text searchable.
Judge Ronda J. McKaig's formatting rule includes the binder spine shall be appropriately labeled. and the binder spine shall indicate the exhibit numbers contained in the binder.. Each exhibit binder's spine must be labeled with the exhibit numbers contained in it.
20 more rules answer this question in the list above.
Related categories
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Courtesy Copy Requirements
When and how to deliver courtesy copies to chambers, including triggers, timing, and formatting.
Electronic Filing Rules
Electronic filing requirements, permitted filing channels, EFSP portals, and exceptions.
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Filing cutoffs, deemed-filed rules, rejection handling, cure periods, and outage procedures.