StrikeServe e-files through a court-approved electronic filing service provider, walks paper to the clerk's window where the court still requires it, and delivers courtesy copies to the department. You send the signed documents; we handle the envelope, the fees and the follow-up, and return the file-stamped copy electronically.
The court accepts electronic filings only through an approved electronic filing service provider (EFSP); under Code of Civil Procedure section 1010.6 it may not take them directly. The clerk accepts the envelope and returns the endorsed copy through the EFSP, or rejects it with a reason. Fax filing ended November 14, 2022. The approved EFSP list is on lacourt.org; StrikeServe submits through one of them.
Under the court's general orders, represented parties must e-file in limited civil (since December 3, 2018), unlimited civil (January 2, 2019), complex civil (September 20, 2021), family law (November 15, 2021), probate, and the Appellate Division (December 16, 2024); in small claims, attorneys e-file post-judgment documents. Exemptions are by court order on forms EFS-007 and EFS-008.
Self-represented litigants may e-file but are not required to; paper is accepted at the clerk's office of the assigned courthouse, weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. StrikeServe files either way.
A filing must go to the courthouse the case is assigned to, or the court rejects it; for a new case, the court's Filing Court Locator decides. Courthouses we file at most often:
The civil general order exempts a short list from e-filing, and these are walked in: peremptory challenges and challenges for cause, bonds and undertakings, trial exhibits, ex parte applications filed with a new complaint, and documents submitted conditionally under seal, which go straight to the courtroom.
The court also requires a printed courtesy copy, with proof of electronic submission, for pleadings and motions of 26 pages or more, anything with points and authorities, demurrers, anti-SLAPP and summary judgment motions, and oppositions to ex parte applications. For hearings two days out or less, it is due in the courtroom by 4:30 p.m. the same business day or 10:00 a.m. the next.
E-filing is open around the clock; an envelope received before midnight is deemed filed that business day if accepted, and the court aims to confirm within two business days. Ex parte applications must be e-filed by 10:00 a.m. the court day before the hearing. For a same-day counter stamp, we need the documents at least two hours before the clerk's office closes at 4:30 p.m.
Accepted e-filings come back through the EFSP with the filed stamp on the first page, and a new complaint returns with its case number and a Notice of Case Assignment. Counter filings are scanned at the window. Either way the copy is uploaded to your order the same day. A rejected envelope sent at 11 p.m. on a deadline day is a missed deadline, so we check each submission against the reasons the court rejects most:
Wrong document name, case category or court location; case number or party names that do not match the PDF.
Several documents merged into one file, scans that are not text-searchable, no bookmarks, password protection.
Wrong fee or payment statement, ex parte papers after the cutoff, motions filed more than three business days after reserving the hearing, duplicates.
Upload each document as its own text-searchable PDF, with the case number if the case exists, the courthouse and department, the deadline, and whether it needs a courtesy copy run. Include a proof of service if required, or order the serve with us. Proposed orders on pleading paper also need a .doc or .docx version.
Signed PDFs, courthouse and deadline.
We confirm the location, method and fees, quote in minutes, and start when you approve.
Through the EFSP, or at the clerk's office at Stanley Mosk or the district courthouse, with courtesy copies to the department.
Uploaded to your order the same day; rejections are corrected and resubmitted.
Deadline today? Call and we will confirm the cutoff for your courthouse.
Order both and the file-stamped complaint goes straight to a registered process server in that part of the county; for evictions, see unlawful detainer service in Los Angeles.
Order online in a few minutes, or call and we will confirm the cutoff for your courthouse.