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Court filing and e-filing

Court filing and e-filing, same day.

Most of what StrikeServe does every day is get documents on file: walked to the civil counter in downtown Sacramento and Los Angeles, or e-filed through the court's electronic filing service provider statewide. You send the signed documents; we handle the queue, the fees and the envelope, and return the file-stamped copies electronically.

Where we file

SACRAMENTO

Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Sacramento County Courthouse

500 G Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Civil filing moved here from the Gordon D. Schaber Courthouse on April 13, 2026, and the criminal courtrooms followed on April 20; civil and criminal counters are on the second floor. Family and probate stay at Ridgeway; small claims and unlawful detainer stay at Carol Miller. saccourt.ca.gov · Sacramento filing details

LOS ANGELES

Stanley Mosk Courthouse

111 N Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, the central civil courthouse. We also file at the district courthouse where a case is assigned. lacourt.org · Los Angeles filing details

STATEWIDE

All 58 California counties

E-filing through each court's approved EFSP where offered, and local filers where the court still takes paper. We confirm the method with the quote.

E-filing: where it is required and where it is optional

California courts that accept electronic filing take it only through a certified electronic filing service provider (EFSP), which carries the documents, the filing fee and its own transaction fee. The court accepts the submission and returns endorsed copies through the same channel, or rejects it with a reason.

Los Angeles County: mandatory for attorneys

The Los Angeles County Superior Court has required civil e-filing for parties represented by attorneys since December 3, 2018 (limited civil) and January 2, 2019 (unlimited civil) under its general orders. Self-represented litigants are exempt under California Rules of Court, rule 2.253(b)(2), but may e-file. Source: lacourt.org, Civil efiling.

Sacramento County: permissive for now

Sacramento County Superior Court expanded civil e-filing on January 16, 2024 and states that, until further notice, it is permissive for all parties; the court will publish a public notice 30 days before it becomes mandatory. Documents received electronically by 11:59 p.m. on a court day are deemed filed that day if accepted, and the court aims to process them within three business days. Some documents, such as bonds, peremptory challenges and documents lodged under seal, must still go to the civil front counter. Source: saccourt.ca.gov, Civil E-Filing and its e-filing FAQ.

Family law, probate and appellate divisions have their own orders; we check the current rule on every order.

Filing windows and why filings get rejected

For a same-day file stamp we need the documents at least two hours before the clerk's counter closes; after that the filing goes in the next court day. E-filing can be submitted around the clock, but it is filed only when the clerk accepts it, so a rejected envelope sent at 11 p.m. on a deadline day is a missed deadline. The rejections we see most often:

Missing or wrong fee

Sacramento returns documents unfiled when the fee does not match its schedule.

Wrong or missing form

An outdated Judicial Council form, a missing civil case cover sheet, or a required local form.

No proof of service

Motions, oppositions and most later documents need a proof of service with them.

Envelope errors

Wrong document name or case category, or several documents merged into one PDF.

Caption, signature, format

Mismatched case number, an unsigned declaration, or a scanned PDF with no text layer.

What to send us

Upload the signed documents as separate PDFs, with the case number if the case exists, the court and department, the deadline, and whether you want it walked in or e-filed. Include the proof of service if one is required, or order the serve with us, and any fee waiver order or application.

How it works

1

Upload the documents

Signed PDFs, court, case number and deadline.

2

Get a quote and confirm

We confirm the method and fee, quote in minutes, and start when you approve.

3

We file

Walked to the counter in Sacramento or Los Angeles, or submitted through the court's EFSP.

4

Conformed copies returned

The file-stamped copy is scanned at the counter, or the endorsed PDF comes back through the EFSP, and is uploaded to your order the same day; rejections are corrected and resubmitted.

Deadline today? Call and we will confirm the cutoff.

Filing and serving together

Order both and the file-stamped complaint goes straight to the process server, and the signed proof of service is filed for you when the serve is complete.

Not everything that needs filing goes to a court. Statements of Information, articles, amendments, dissolutions, certificates of status and UCC filings go to the California Secretary of State in downtown Sacramento, by bizfile Online or over the counter at 1500 11th Street, and we handle those too, including the 24-hour, same-day and 4-hour expedite classes. See Secretary of State filings in Sacramento.

What we do and do not do. StrikeServe files and serves documents you or your attorney have prepared. We are not a law firm and not a registered unlawful detainer assistant or legal document assistant; we do not prepare pleadings, choose forms or advise on how to proceed. Court fees are passed through at cost. This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm the requirements for your case with the court or your attorney.

Court filing: frequently asked questions

Is e-filing mandatory in Sacramento and Los Angeles civil cases?
Los Angeles: mandatory for represented parties since 2018 to 2019; self-represented litigants may e-file but need not. Sacramento: currently permissive for all parties, with 30 days' notice promised before it becomes mandatory.
Can you file for me if I am representing myself?
Yes. You sign the documents; we deliver or transmit them and return the conformed copies.
What is a conformed copy?
Your filing stamped by the clerk with the filing date and, on a new case, the case number and department.
What are the most common reasons a filing is rejected?
Missing or wrong fee, wrong or missing form, missing proof of service, mismatched case number, unsigned documents, wrong document name in the e-filing envelope, and PDFs that are not text-searchable.
What is the cutoff for same-day filing?
At least two hours before the clerk's counter closes. E-filed documents received by 11:59 p.m. on a court day are deemed filed that day if accepted.
How is court filing priced?
By the job: the court, counter or e-filing, and how fast it must be on file. No published flat rate; order online or call for a quote in minutes. Court fees are passed through at cost.

Need something on file in Sacramento or Los Angeles today?

Order online in a few minutes, or call and we will confirm the cutoff for your courthouse.

Order a filing(866) 811-1141

Related pages

Process servingUnlawful detainerWrits of executionSacramento, CALos Angeles, CACourt filing in Los AngelesCourt filing in SacramentoSecretary of State filingsServe a registered agentFor law firms