Can I file my FL-300 online in California?

What the law says

Code of Civil Procedure section 1010.6(e): “A trial court may adopt local rules permitting electronic filing of documents,” subject to the Judicial Council’s rules. California Rules of Court, rule 2.253(a): “A court may permit parties by local rule to file documents electronically in any types of cases,” subject to section 1010.6 and the e-filing rules. Rule 2.253(b)(2) says self-represented parties “are exempt from any mandatory electronic filing and service requirements adopted by courts under this rule and Code of Civil Procedure section 1010.6.”

The courts’ self-help page on custody requests: “Some courts allow online filing (called e-filing). You can find out if your court has online filing by visiting your court’s website.” The same page says you can also file by mail.

Los Angeles is one example. The Los Angeles Superior Court’s e-filing page says that since November 15, 2021, the court has required e-filing of family law documents filed by parties represented by attorneys, under its general order and family law e-filing document list, and that self-represented parties have the option to e-file.

On timing, section 1010.6(e)(3) says a document received electronically between 12:00 a.m. and 11:59:59 p.m. on a court day is deemed filed that day, and one received on a noncourt day is deemed filed on the next court day.

• Code of Civil Procedure section 1010.6 (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)
• California Rules of Court, rule 2.253 (courts.ca.gov)
• California Courts self-help: ask for or change a custody and visitation order
• Superior Court of Los Angeles County: e-filing

What to do next

Look for e-filing information on your county superior court’s website, or file in person or by mail. Then have the FL-300 and supporting papers served at least 16 court days before the hearing under Code of Civil Procedure section 1005(b), plus five calendar days if mailed within California; electronic service adds 2 court days to the notice period (Code of Civil Procedure section 1010.6(a)(3)(B)). Section 1010.6(c)(2) says “An unrepresented party may consent to receive electronic service,” and section 1010.6(c)(3) adds: “The act of electronic filing shall not be construed as express consent.”

• Code of Civil Procedure section 1005 (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)
• Form FL-300, Request for Order, Rev. July 1, 2025 (PDF)
• FL-300, box by box
• How to serve family court papers in California
• How many days before the hearing do I have to serve my Request for Order?