Civil Filing Information

Filing Information

If the amount of the dispute is $35,000.00 or less, the action is a limited civil case. If the amount of the dispute is over $35,000.00 or does not involve money, the matter is an unlimited civil case. A complex civil case is an action that requires exceptional judicial management as defined in Rule 3.400 of the California Rules of Court.

eFiling

Pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 1010.6, California Rules of Court, rules 2.252 and 2.253, and Orange County Superior Court Local Rule 352, all documents filed by represented parties in limited, unlimited, and complex civil actions must be filed electronically and allow for service electronically, unless the Court excuses parties from doing so.  Although not required, self-represented parties are encouraged to participate in electronic filing and service. If a party with a fee waiver files documents electronically, that party is exempt from the fees and costs associated with electronic filing. The electronic filing of documents must be effected using the court’s electronic service providers. Electronic service provider information is available on the Court’s website.

Civil actions which typically involve disputes about contracts, damage to property, landlord/tenant issues, or someone getting hurt.

Civil actions are divided into types, depending on how much money is owed:

  • If the amount of the dispute is $35,000.00 or less, the action is a limited civil case. Typical examples include landlord/tenant disputes and collections cases. Requests for civil harassment, gun violence, postsecondary school, or workplace violence prevention restraining orders are unlimited jurisdiction heard in limited civil courtrooms.
  • If the amount of the dispute is over $35,000.00 or does not involve money such as actions to resolve title to real property or petitions for a writ of mandate, the matter is an unlimited civil case.
  • A complex civil case is an action that requires exceptional judicial management as defined in Rule 3.400 of the California Rules of Court.
  • You can also file in Small Claims Court for $12,500.00 or less. You can read about this in the Small Claims section of this website. If you are owed more than $12,500.00, you can waive the difference and file in Small Claims Court.

For self-represented litigants who wish to file in person, all civil filings are accepted at the Central Justice Center in the Civil Clerk's Division on the first floor, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Otherwise, go to the eFiling for Civil webpage and select an Electronic Filing Service Provider to file electronically.

For a listing of Superior Court of Orange County court locations, telephone numbers, and hours, go to Locations & Contact Info

See the Fee Schedule posted on the court's public website, for a list of filing fees.

If you cannot afford to pay the filing fees, you can request that fees be waived under certain circumstances. For more information, go to the Self-Help Fee Waiver page.

The Court has ordered that certain documents must be electronically filed. For more information, go to the eFiling for Civil page.

Any court case is complicated, and you must follow the Code of Civil Procedure and the California Rules of Court, as well as your court’s local rules. The Self-Help section of this website provides basic information on:

  • filing a lawsuit
  • contesting a lawsuit
  • pre-trial proceedings
  • trial
  • appeals
  • consequences of failing to pay the judgment
  • collecting the judgment
  • legal forms
  • legal resources and assistance
  • Locations of self-help centers

If the case is a landlord/tenant matter, go to the Self-Help Landlord/Tenant page. For all other lawsuits, go to the Self-Help Civil page.