Mandatory electronic filing is in effect for all represented parties in civil cases (Unlimited, Limited, and Complex matters). Self-represented parties are encouraged but not required to eFile.

Authority: Local Rule 2.87

In addition to statewide exceptions under CRC 2.253, Contra Costa County has established specific documents that cannot be eFiled.

The following documents may not be electronically filed and must still be filed/lodged in hard copy form unless otherwise ordered by the Presiding Judge or provided in an amended Local Rule:

General Civil & Restraining Orders

• Documents related to Civil Harassment Restraining Orders and Workplace Violence Restraining Orders
• Bonds and undertakings
• Bench warrants
• Petitions for Name Change
• Challenges under Code of Civil Procedure §§ 170.1/170.3 and 170.6 (except in Domestic Violence Restraining Order cases)

In Civil Matters

• Subpoenas
• Administrative Records (Administrative records should be submitted on a flash drive, or by hard copy if ordered by the Court)

In Civil Complex Matters

• Subpoenas
• Administrative Records

In Probate Matters

• Ex Parte Motions and Oppositions
• Affidavit re Real Property of Small Value
• Bonds
• Estate Planning Documents
• Wills and Codicils
• Subpoenas
• Letters of Administration/Testamentary/Conservatorship/Guardianship

In Family Matters

• Judgments
• Notice of Entry of Judgment
• Abstract of Judgment
• Ex Partes and responses to ex partes / Contempts
• Opposition to Commissioner
• Writs

In Small Claims Matters

• Subpoenas
• Certificate of Facts -DL30

Physical Filing Requirements

• Filing Location: Documents that cannot be eFiled must be filed in person at the appropriate courthouse location during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
• Courthouse Locations:
  • Civil Records: Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, 725 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553
  • Family Law: Peter L. Spinetta Family Law Center, 751 Pine Street, Martinez, CA 94553
  • Probate: Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, 725 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553

Authority: Standing Order dated October 2, 2025, signed by Hon. Christopher R. Bowen, Presiding Judge

In addition to statewide format requirements, Contra Costa County specifies:

PDF Requirements

• Format: Documents must be submitted in PDF format (not Word, Excel, or other formats)
• Flattened PDFs: PDFs must be flattened and cannot contain embedded objects
• Text-Searchable: Documents must be text-searchable when technologically feasible (OCR scanning recommended for hand-written or image-only documents)

Authority: Civil E-Filing FAQ (revised 2/7/2024)

CRITICAL: Exhibit Bookmark Requirements

This is the #1 rejection reason for filings in Contra Costa County.

In addition to statewide requirements, Contra Costa County requires:

• Primary Documents: Do not need to be bookmarked
• Attachments to Primary Documents: MUST be bookmarked. Each exhibit, attachment, or supporting document must have a clear bookmark identifying it (e.g., "Exhibit A", "Exhibit B", "Attachment 1")

Authority: Civil E-Filing FAQ (revised 2/7/2024)

Electronic Service Address Requirements

In addition to statewide requirements:

• Initial Provision: Each represented party must provide an electronic address for service on the first occasion that party files any paper electronically
• Updates Required: When electronic service address changes, must promptly notify the court and all parties by filing either a notice of change or Judicial Council form EFS-010

Authority: Local Rule 2.87(d)

Proposed Orders

Contra Costa County has specific procedures for proposed orders:

• With Initial Filing: Proposed orders may be included as a separate PDF in the same envelope with the motion or application
• After Hearing: Proposed orders after hearing should be emailed to the department in Microsoft Word format

Authority: Civil E-Filing FAQ (revised 2/7/2024)

Filing Times and Processing

• Submission Deadline: Documents received before 11:59:59 p.m. on a court day are deemed filed that day. Documents received after 11:59:59 p.m. are deemed filed the next court day if accepted
• Processing Hours: The court processes electronic filings from 8:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
• Non-Court Days: Documents received electronically on weekends and court holidays are deemed filed the next court day if accepted

Authority: Civil E-Filing FAQ (revised 2/7/2024)

Fee Waiver Applications

Contra Costa County-specific procedures:

• Initial Filing: Documents may be filed electronically with a pending fee waiver application
• If Denied: Upon denial, filer has 10 days to submit payment of required fees
• Consequence of Non-Payment: If payment is not received within 10 days of denial notice, the court will strike the filing

Authority: Civil E-Filing FAQ (revised 2/7/2024)

General Rule

According to the Standing Order (October 2, 2025):

• Default Policy: "Courtesy copies of electronically-filed documents are not required unless ordered by a judicial officer in a specific matter."

Authority: Standing Order dated October 2, 2025

Department-Specific Requirements

However, individual departments have established their own courtesy copy requirements that supersede the general rule:

Department 57 (Discovery Motions)

• Requirement: Deliver courtesy copies of motions, oppositions, and replies directly to Dept. 57
• Email Option: dept57@contracosta.courts.ca.gov
• Phone: (925) 608-1357

Source: Civil Discovery page

Department 7 (Family Law)

• Requirement: Courtesy copies of pleadings filed within 5 court days of a hearing should be dropped off in Dept. 7's mailbox
• Location: Mailbox located upstairs next to the elevator
• Email: Do NOT email courtesy copies to the department unless the court has requested it

Source: Department 7 Information

Department 2 (Family Law)

• Requirement: If concerned about pleading not showing up on the docket in time, may drop a courtesy copy in the Department 2 drop box
• Location: D2 box located upstairs next to the elevator (inside courthouse)
• Email: Do NOT email courtesy copies unless the court explicitly grants permission
• Trial Documents: Motions in Limine must be filed AND courtesy copies provided. Combine multiple MILs in a single binder with motion/opposition/reply joined together

Source: Department 2 Information

Department 39 (Ex Parte)

• Requirement: Do NOT eFile or drop off any courtesy copies of ex parte documents before the hearing
• After Hearing: After the hearing, documents must be filed in the clerk's office

Source: Department 39 Handy Guide

In addition to the statewide Judicial Council Form CM-010 (Civil Case Cover Sheet) required by CRC 2.30:

No local cover sheet or addendum requirements beyond statewide Judicial Council forms found in local rules or court website.

Local rules reviewed: July 2025 Local Rules; Civil E-Filing FAQ; Court Forms pages

In addition to statewide requirements for filing sealed documents under CRC 2.550-2.551:

eFiling Sealed Documents

• Motion to Seal: Must be eFiled with the redacted version of documents proposed to be filed under seal
• Redaction Responsibility: Parties must take care to correctly redact all documents so that redacted text is not viewable. The court is not responsible for errors in redaction

Authority: Civil E-Filing FAQ (revised 2/7/2024); Local Rule 2.87(f)

Note: The court will not review electronically-filed documents for compliance with redaction requirements. Parties and counsel are solely responsible for redaction. The court may impose sanctions for violations.