ARTICLE 1. Civil Fees Generally [70600. - 70640.]

Cal. Government Code - GOV 1.

in effect

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70600. Section 70600.

It is the intent of the Legislature to establish a uniform schedule of filing fees and other civil fees for the superior courts throughout the state. This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the Uniform Civil Fees and Standard Fee Schedule Act of 2005.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70601. Section 70601.

(a) It is the intent of the Legislature to establish a moratorium on increases in filing fees until January 1, 2008. No fee provided for in this chapter may be changed before January 1, 2008, except as may be required by the following: (1) Legislative implementation of recommendations of the Task Force on County Law Libraries. (2) Legislative implementation of recommendations for changes to the graduated filing fee for petitions in probate proceedings under subdivision (a) of Section 70650. (b) The Judicial Council shall establish a Task Force on Civil Fees, including, but not limited to, representatives from the trial courts, the counties, the county law libraries, and the State Bar. On or before February 1, 2007, the task force shall make recommendations to the Judicial Council and the Legislature on the following: (1) The effectiveness of the uniform fee structure, any operational or revenue problems, and how to address these issues. (2) Whether a fee differential should be implemented based on the number of cases a party files in a year. (3) A process to adjust fees in the future to accommodate inflation and other factors affecting operating costs for trial courts, county law libraries, and county programs that rely on court fees.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70602.5. Section 70602.5.

Notwithstanding any other law, it is the intent of the Legislature to supplement certain first paper filing fees as provided below: (a) A supplemental fee of forty dollars ($40) shall be collected for filing any first paper subject to the uniform fee that is set at three hundred fifty-five dollars ($355) under Sections 70611, 70612, 70650, 70651, 70652, 70653, 70655, 70658, and 70670. The total fee collected under these sections, which includes the supplemental fee, shall be deposited and distributed as provided in Sections 68085.3 and 68086.1, as applicable. (b) A supplemental fee of forty dollars ($40) shall be collected for filing any first paper subject to the uniform fee that is set at three hundred thirty dollars ($330) under Sections 70613, 70614, and 70621. The total fee collected under these sections, which includes the supplemental fee, shall be deposited and distributed as provided in Sections 68085.4 and 68086.1, as applicable. (c) A supplemental fee of twenty dollars ($20) shall be collected for filing any first paper subject to the uniform fee that is set at two hundred five dollars ($205) under Sections 70613, 70614, 70621, 70654, and 70656 of this code, and Section 103470 of the Health and Safety Code. The total fee collected under these sections, which includes the supplemental fee, shall be deposited and distributed as provided in Section 68085.4.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70602.6. Section 70602.6.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, a supplemental fee of forty dollars ($40) shall be collected for filing any first paper subject to the uniform fee that is set at three hundred fifty-five dollars ($355) under Sections 70611, 70612, 70650, 70651, 70652, 70653, 70655, 70658, and 70670. The total fee collected under these sections, which includes the supplemental fee, shall be deposited and distributed as provided in Sections 68085.3 and 68086.1, as applicable. (b) The fee imposed under this section is in addition to any other fees authorized by law, including, but not limited to, the fees authorized in Section 70602.5. (c) After the 2013–14 fiscal year, if the amount of the General Fund transfer to the Trial Court Trust Fund is decreased more than 10 percent from the amount appropriated in the 2013–14 fiscal year and is not offset by another source of revenue other than court fees so as to result in a net reduction in funding greater than 10 percent, then the amount of the supplemental fees provided in subdivision (a) shall be decreased proportionally. The Judicial Council shall adopt and publish a schedule setting the fees resulting from the decrease.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70603. Section 70603.

(a) Except as provided in this section, the fees charged for filings and services under this chapter are intended to be uniform statewide and to be the only allowable fees for those services and filings. The only charges that may be added to the fees in this chapter are the following: (1) In a complex case, the fee provided for in Section 70616 may be added to the first paper and first responsive paper filing fees in Sections 70611, 70612, 70613, and 70614. (2) In an unlawful detainer action subject to Section 1161.2 of the Code of Civil Procedure, a charge of fifteen dollars ($15) as provided under that section may be added to the fee in Section 70613 for filing a first appearance by a plaintiff. (3) In Riverside County, a surcharge as provided in Section 70622 may be added to the first paper and first responsive paper filing fees in Sections 70611, 70612, 70613, 70614, 70650, 70651, 70652, 70653, 70655, and 70670. (4) In San Bernardino County, a surcharge as provided in Section 70624 may be added to the first paper and first responsive paper filing fees in Sections 70611, 70612, 70613, 70614, 70650, 70651, 70652, 70653, 70655, and 70670. This paragraph applies to fees collected under Sections 70611, 70612, 70613, 70614, 70650, 70651, 70652, 70653, 70655, and 70670, beginning January 1, 2006. (5) In the City and County of San Francisco, a surcharge as provided in Section 70625 may be added to the first paper and first responsive paper filing fees in Sections 70611, 70612, 70613, 70614, 70650, 70651, 70652, 70653, 70655, and 70670. (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 68085.3 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 68085.4, when a charge for courthouse construction in the City and County of San Francisco or in the Counties of Riverside or San Bernardino is added to the uniform filing fee as provided under paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (a), the amount distributed to the State Court Facilities Construction Fund under Section 68085.3 or 68085.4 shall be reduced by an amount equal to the charge added under paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (a), up to the amount that would otherwise be distributed to the State Court Facilities Construction Fund. If the amount added under paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (a) is greater than the amount that would be distributed to the State Court Facilities Construction Fund under Section 68085.3 or 68085.4, no distribution shall be made to the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, but the amount charged to the party may be greater than the amount of the uniform fee otherwise allowed, in order to collect the surcharge under paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (a). (c) If a filing fee is reduced by twenty-four dollars ($24) under subdivision (c) of Section 6322.1 of the Business and Professions Code, and a courthouse construction surcharge is added to the filing fee as provided under paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (a), the amount distributed to the State Court Facilities Construction Fund under Section 68085.4 shall be reduced as provided in subdivision (b). If the amount added under paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (a) is greater than the amount that would be distributed to the State Court Facilities Construction Fund under Section 68085.4, no distribution shall be made to the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, but the amount charged to the party may be greater than one hundred eighty-one dollars ($181), in order to collect the surcharge under paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (a). (d) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2013.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70611. Section 70611.

The uniform fee for filing the first paper in a civil action or proceeding in the superior court, other than in a limited civil case, an adoption proceeding, a proceeding under the Probate Code, or a proceeding under the Family Code, is three hundred fifty-five dollars ($355). The fee shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.3. This section applies to the initial complaint, petition, or application, and the papers transmitted from another court on the transfer of a civil action or proceeding, but does not include documents filed pursuant to Section 491.150, 704.750, or 708.160 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70612. Section 70612.

(a) The uniform fee for filing the first paper in the action or proceeding described in Section 70611 on behalf of any defendant, intervenor, respondent, or adverse party, whether separately or jointly, except for the purpose of making disclaimer, is three hundred fifty-five dollars ($355). The fee shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.3. (b) As used in this section, the term “paper” does not include a stipulation for the appointment of a temporary judge or of a court investigator, or the report made by the court investigator.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70613. Section 70613.

(a) The uniform fee for filing the first paper in a limited civil case is three hundred thirty dollars ($330), except as provided in subdivision (b). (b) In a case where the amount demanded, excluding attorney’s fees and costs, is ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or less, the uniform fee for filing the first paper is two hundred five dollars ($205). The first page of the first paper shall state whether the amount demanded exceeds or does not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000). (c) This section applies to the initial complaint, petition, or application, and any papers transmitted from another court on the transfer of a civil action or proceeding, but does not include documents filed pursuant to Section 491.150, 704.750, or 708.160 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (d) The fee for a paper filed under this section shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.4. (e) The fee shall be waived in any action for damages against a defendant, based upon the defendant’s commission of a felony offense, upon presentation to the clerk of the court of a certified copy of the abstract of judgment of conviction of the defendant of the felony giving rise to the claim for damages. If the plaintiff would have been entitled to recover those fees from the defendant had they been paid, the court may assess the amount of the waived fees against the defendant and order the defendant to pay that sum to the court.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70613.5. Section 70613.5.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 472 of the Code of Civil Procedure, if a plaintiff or petitioner who previously was charged the filing fee under subdivision (b) of Section 70613 files an amended complaint or other initial pleading that increases the amount demanded to an amount that exceeds ten thousand dollars ($10,000) but does not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), so that the higher filing fee under subdivision (a) of Section 70613 would have been required if such a demand had been made in the original pleading, a fee equal to the difference between the fee for the original filing fee and the filing fee for the new amount demanded shall be charged to make up the difference between the filing fees. This fee shall be distributed to the Trial Court Trust Fund. (b) Notwithstanding Section 472 of the Code of Civil Procedure, if a party who previously was charged the filing fee under subdivision (b) of Section 70614 files a cross-complaint, amended cross-complaint, or amendment to a cross-complaint demanding an amount that exceeds ten thousand dollars ($10,000) but does not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), a fee equal to the difference between the fee for the original filing fee and the filing fee under subdivision (a) of Section 70614 shall be charged to make up the difference between the filing fees. This fee shall be distributed to the Trial Court Trust Fund. (c) The court shall not reimburse a party if the party’s complaint or cross-complaint is amended to demand a lower amount that falls within the range for a filing fee lower than that originally paid.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70614. Section 70614.

(a) The uniform fee for filing the first paper in a limited civil case on behalf of any party other than a plaintiff is three hundred thirty dollars ($330), except as provided in subdivision (b). (b) In a case where the amount demanded, excluding attorney’s fees and costs, is ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or less, the uniform fee for filing the first paper is two hundred five dollars ($205). (c) The fees in this section do not apply to papers filed for the purpose of making disclaimer. (d) The fee for a paper filed under this section shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.4.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70615. Section 70615.

The fee for filing any of the following appeals to the superior court is twenty-five dollars ($25): (a) An appeal of a local agency’s decision regarding an administrative fine or penalty under Section 53069.4. (b) An appeal under Section 40230 of the Vehicle Code of an administrative agency’s decision regarding a parking violation. (c) An appeal under Section 99582 of the Public Utilities Code of a hearing officer’s determination regarding an administrative penalty for fare evasion or a passenger conduct violation. (d) A petition under Section 186.35 of the Penal Code challenging a law enforcement agency’s inclusion of a person’s information in a shared gang database. (e) An appeal under Section 22428 of the Vehicle Code of a hearing officer’s determination regarding a civil penalty for an automated speed violation, as defined in Section 22425 of the Vehicle Code. (f) An appeal under Section 22438 of the Vehicle Code of a hearing officer’s determination regarding a civil penalty for an automated speed violation, as defined in Section 22435 of the Vehicle Code. (g) An appeal under Section 21455.9 of the Vehicle Code of a hearing officer’s determination regarding a civil penalty for an automated traffic enforcement violation, as defined in Section 21455.9 of the Vehicle Code. (h) An appeal under Section 22445.3 of the Vehicle Code of a hearing officer’s determination regarding a civil penalty for an automated speed violation, as defined in Section 22445 of the Vehicle Code. (i) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2032, and as of that date is repealed.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70616. Section 70616.

(a) In addition to the first paper filing fee required by Section 70611 or 70613, a single complex case fee shall be paid to the clerk on behalf of all plaintiffs, whether filing separately or jointly, either at the time of the filing of the first paper if the case is designated as complex pursuant to the California Rules of Court, or, if no such designation was made, in each case in which a court determines that the case is a complex case pursuant to the California Rules of Court, within 10 calendar days of the filing of the court’s order. (b) In addition to the first appearance fee required under Section 70612 or 70614, a complex case fee shall be paid on behalf of each defendant, intervenor, respondent, or adverse party, whether filing separately or jointly, either at the time that party files its first paper in a case if the case is designated or counterdesignated as complex pursuant to the California Rules of Court, or, if no such designation was made, in each case in which a court determines that the case is a complex case pursuant to the California Rules of Court, within 10 calendar days of the filing of the court’s order. This additional complex fee shall be charged to each defendant, intervenor, respondent, or adverse party appearing in the case, but the total complex fees collected from all the defendants, intervenors, respondents, or other adverse parties appearing in a complex case shall not exceed eighteen thousand dollars ($18,000). (c) In each case in which the court determines that a case that has been designated or counterdesignated as complex is not a complex case, the court shall order reimbursement to the parties of the amount of any complex case fees that the parties have previously paid pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b). (d) In each case determined to be complex in which the total fees actually collected exceed, or if collected would exceed, the limit in subdivision (b), the court shall make an order necessary to ensure that the total complex fees paid by the defendants, intervenors, respondents, or other adverse parties appearing in the case do not exceed the limit and that the complex fees paid by those parties are apportioned fairly among those parties. (e) The complex case fee established by this section shall be one thousand dollars ($1,000), unless the fee is reduced pursuant to this section. The fee shall be transmitted to the Trial Court Trust Fund as provided in Section 68085.1. (f) The fees provided by this section are in addition to the filing fee authorized by Section 70611, 70612, 70613, or 70614. (g) Failure to pay the fees required by this section shall have the same effect as the failure to pay a filing fee, and shall be subject to the same enforcement and penalties. (h) The amendments made to this section during the 2011–12 Regular Session of the Legislature do not constitute a change in, but are declaratory of, existing law.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70616.5. Section 70616.5.

(a) In addition to the first paper filing fee required by Section 70611 or 70613, a single high-frequency litigant fee shall be paid to the clerk on behalf of a plaintiff who is a high-frequency litigant, as that term is defined in Section 425.55 of the Code of Civil Procedure, at the time of the filing of the first paper if the complaint alleges a construction-related accessibility claim, as those terms are defined in subdivision (a) of Section 55.3 of the Civil Code. (b) The fee established by this section shall be one thousand dollars ($1,000). The fee shall be transmitted as provided in Section 68085.35. (c) Failure to pay the fees required by this section shall have the same effect as the failure to pay a filing fee, and shall be subject to the same enforcement and penalties.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70617. Section 70617.

(a) Except as provided in subdivisions (d) and (e), the uniform fee for filing a motion, application, or any other paper requiring a hearing subsequent to the first paper, is sixty dollars ($60). Papers for which this fee shall be charged include the following: (1) A motion listed in paragraphs (1) to (12), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 1005 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (2) A motion or application to continue a trial date. (3) An application for examination of a third person controlling defendant’s property under Section 491.110 or 491.150 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (4) Discovery motions under Title 4 (commencing with Section 2016.010) of Part 4 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (5) A motion for a new trial of a civil action or special proceeding. (6) An application for an order for a judgment debtor examination under Section 708.110 or 708.160 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (7) An application for an order of sale of a dwelling under Section 704.750 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (8) An ex parte application that requires a party to give notice of the ex parte appearance to other parties. (9) A motion for an order determining the need for a debtor to appear for a debtor’s examination under Section 708.111 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (b) There shall be no fee under subdivision (a) or (c) for filing any of the following: (1) A motion, application, demurrer, request, notice, or stipulation and order that is the first paper filed in an action and on which a first paper filing fee is paid. (2) An amended notice of motion. (3) A civil case management statement. (4) A request for trial de novo after judicial arbitration. (5) A stipulation that does not require an order. (6) A request for an order to prevent civil harassment. (7) A request for an order to prevent domestic violence. (8) A request for entry of default or default judgment. (9) A paper requiring a hearing on a petition for emancipation of a minor. (10) A paper requiring a hearing on a petition for an order to prevent abuse of an elder or dependent adult. (11) A paper requiring a hearing on a petition for a writ of review, mandate, or prohibition. (12) A paper requiring a hearing on a petition for a decree of change of name or gender. (13) A paper requiring a hearing on a petition to approve the compromise of a claim of a minor. (c) The fee for filing the following papers not requiring a hearing is twenty dollars ($20): (1) A request, application, or motion for, or a notice of, the continuance of a hearing or case management conference. The fee shall be charged no more than once for each continuance. The fee shall not be charged if the continuance is required by the court. (2) A stipulation and order. (3) A request for an order authorizing service of summons by posting or by publication under Section 415.45 or 415.50 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (d) The fee for filing a motion for summary judgment or summary adjudication of issues is five hundred dollars ($500). (e) (1) The fee for filing in the superior court an application to appear as counsel pro hac vice is five hundred dollars ($500). This fee is in addition to any other fee required of the applicant. Two hundred fifty dollars ($250) of the fee collected under this paragraph shall be transmitted to the state for deposit into the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, established in Section 70371. The remaining two hundred fifty dollars ($250) of the fee shall be transmitted to the state for deposit into the Trial Court Trust Fund, established in Section 68085. (2) An attorney whose application to appear as counsel pro hac vice has been granted shall pay to the superior court, on or before the anniversary of the date the application was granted, an annual renewal fee of five hundred dollars ($500) for each year that the attorney maintains pro hac vice status in the case in which the application was granted. The entire fee collected under this paragraph shall be transmitted to the state for deposit into the Trial Court Trust Fund, established in Section 68085. (3) Fees imposed by this subdivision shall be waived when the applicant is an attorney representing a tribe in a child welfare matter under the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1901 et seq.). (f) Regardless of whether each motion or matter is heard at a single hearing or at separate hearings, the filing fees required by subdivisions (a), (c), (d), and (e) apply separately to each motion or other paper filed. The Judicial Council may publish rules to give uniform guidance to courts in applying fees under this section.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70618. Section 70618.

When the venue in a case is changed, the fee for making up and transmitting the transcript and papers is fifty dollars ($50) and a further sum equal to the uniform fee for filing in the court to which the case is transferred. The clerk shall transmit the uniform filing fee with the papers in the case to the clerk or judge of the court to which the case is transferred.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70619. Section 70619.

The fee for reclassification of a case from a limited civil case to an unlimited civil case under Section 403.060 of the Code of Civil Procedure is one hundred forty dollars ($140).

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70620. Section 70620.

The fee for a certificate required by courts of appeal or the Supreme Court on filing a notice of motion prior to the filing of the record on appeal in the reviewing court is twenty dollars ($20).

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70621. Section 70621.

(a) (1) The fee for filing a notice of appeal to the appellate division of the superior court in a limited civil case is three hundred thirty dollars ($330), except as provided in subdivision (b). (2) The fee for filing a petition for a writ within the original jurisdiction of the appellate division of the superior court is three hundred thirty dollars ($330), except as provided in subdivision (b). (b) If the amount demanded in the limited civil case, excluding attorney’s fees and costs, is ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or less, the fee for filing a petition for a writ or a notice of appeal to the appellate division of the superior court is two hundred five dollars ($205). (c) The fees provided for in this section shall be distributed as provided in Section 68085.4. (d) The Judicial Council may make rules governing the time and method of payment of the fees in this section and providing for excuse.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70622. Section 70622.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70624. Section 70624.

(a) In addition to the uniform filing fee authorized pursuant to Section 70611, 70612, 70613, 70614, 70650, 70651, 70652, 70653, 70655, or 70670, after giving notice and holding a public hearing on the proposal, the Board of Supervisors of San Bernardino County may impose a surcharge not to exceed thirty-five dollars ($35) for the filing in superior court of (1) a complaint, petition, or other first paper in a civil, family, or probate action or special proceeding, and (2) a first paper on behalf of any defendant, respondent, intervenor, or adverse party. The county shall notify, in writing, the superior court and the Judicial Council of any change in a surcharge under this section. If a surcharge under this section is imposed on a filing fee, the distribution that would otherwise be made to the State Court Facilities Construction Fund under subdivision (c) of Section 68085.3 or subdivision (c) of Section 68085.4 shall be reduced as provided in Section 70603. This section shall apply to fees collected under Sections 70611, 70612, 70613, 70614, 70650, 70651, 70652, 70653, 70655, and 70670, beginning January 1, 2006. (b) The surcharge shall be in an amount determined to be necessary by the board of supervisors to supplement the Courthouse Construction Fund, to be deposited in that fund and used solely for the purposes authorized for expenditures from that fund, including, but not limited to, earthquake retrofitting, renovation, and remodeling of all portions of the Central San Bernardino Courthouse in need of retrofitting, renovation, or remodeling, whether or not necessitated by the retrofitting work, including the original courthouse built in 1926 and all subsequent additions thereto. Expenditures made from the Courthouse Construction Fund that are funded from the surcharge shall be made in order of priority to ensure that all necessary earthquake retrofitting of the Central San Bernardino Courthouse will be completed. Collection of the surcharge authorized by this section shall terminate upon repayment of the amortized costs incurred, or 30 years from the sale of the bond, whichever occurs first. However, the surcharge shall not apply in instances in which no filing fee is charged or the filing fee is waived. If the amortized costs have been repaid, or 30 years have passed since the sale of the bond, the county shall notify in writing the superior court and the Judicial Council. (c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2039, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2039, deletes or extends that date.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70625. Section 70625.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, for the purpose of assisting the City and County of San Francisco in the acquisition, rehabilitation, construction, and financing of courtrooms or of a courtroom building or buildings containing facilities necessary or incidental to the operation of the justice system, the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco may require the amounts collected pursuant to subdivision (d) to be deposited in the Courthouse Construction Fund established pursuant to Section 76100. In the City and County of San Francisco, the moneys of the Courthouse Construction Fund together with any interest earned thereon shall be payable only for the foregoing purposes and at the time necessary therefor, and for the purposes set forth in subdivision (b) and at the time necessary therefor. (b) In conjunction with the acquisition, rehabilitation, construction, or financing of courtrooms or of a courtroom building or buildings referred to in subdivision (a), the City and County of San Francisco may use the moneys of the Courthouse Construction Fund (1) to rehabilitate existing courtrooms or an existing courtroom building or buildings for other uses if new courtrooms or a courtroom building or buildings are acquired, constructed, or financed or (2) to acquire, rehabilitate, construct, or finance excess courtrooms or an excess courtroom building or buildings if that excess is anticipated to be needed at a later time. (c) Any excess courtrooms or excess courtroom building or buildings that are acquired, rehabilitated, constructed, or financed pursuant to subdivision (b) may be leased or rented for uses other than the operation of the justice system until such time as the excess courtrooms or excess courtroom building or buildings are needed for the operation of the justice system. Any amounts received as lease or rental payments pursuant to this subdivision shall be deposited in the Courthouse Construction Fund. (d) In the City and County of San Francisco, a surcharge for the purpose and for the time set forth in this section may be added to the filing fees under Sections 70611, 70612, 70613, 70614, 70650, 70651, 70652, 70653, 70655, and 70670 in any civil, family, or probate action in the superior court. The surcharge shall be in an amount, not to exceed fifty dollars ($50), as set forth in a resolution adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco. If a surcharge under this section is imposed on a filing fee, the distribution that would otherwise be made to the State Court Facilities Construction Fund under subdivision (c) of Section 68085.3 or subdivision (c) of Section 68085.4 shall be reduced as provided in Section 70603. The county shall notify in writing the superior court and the Administrative Office of the Courts of any change in a surcharge under this section. When the amortized costs that are to be repaid from this fund have been repaid, the county shall notify in writing the superior court and the Administrative Office of Courts, and the surcharge under this section shall terminate, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 70375.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70626. Section 70626.

(a) The fee for each of the following services is forty dollars ($40). Subject to subdivision (e), amounts collected shall be distributed to the Trial Court Trust Fund under Section 68085.1. (1) Issuing a writ of attachment, a writ of mandate, a writ of execution, a writ of sale, a writ of possession, a writ of prohibition, or any other writ for the enforcement of any order or judgment. (2) Issuing an abstract of judgment. (3) Issuing a certificate of satisfaction of judgment under Section 724.100 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (4) Certifying a copy of any paper, record, or proceeding on file in the office of the clerk of any court. (5) Taking an affidavit, except in criminal cases or adoption proceedings. (6) Acknowledgment of any deed or other instrument, including the certificate. (7) Recording or registering a license or certificate, or issuing a certificate in connection with a license, required by law, for which a charge is not otherwise prescribed. (8) Issuing a certificate for which the fee is not otherwise fixed. (b) The fee for each of the following services is forty-five dollars ($45). Subject to subdivision (e), amounts collected shall be distributed to the Trial Court Trust Fund under Section 68085.1. (1) Issuing an order of sale. (2) Receiving and filing an abstract of judgment rendered by a judge of another court and subsequent services based on it, unless the abstract of judgment is filed under Section 704.750 or 708.160 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (3) Filing an application for renewal of judgment under Section 683.150 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (4) Issuing a commission to take a deposition in another state or place under Section 2026.010 of the Code of Civil Procedure, or issuing a subpoena under Section 2029.300 to take a deposition in this state for purposes of a proceeding pending in another jurisdiction. (5) Filing and entering an award under the Workers’ Compensation Law (Division 4 (commencing with Section 3200) of the Labor Code). (6) Filing an affidavit of publication of notice of dissolution of partnership. (7) Filing an appeal of a determination whether a dog is potentially dangerous or vicious under Section 31622 of the Food and Agricultural Code. (8) Filing an affidavit under Section 13200 of the Probate Code, together with the issuance of one certified copy of the affidavit under Section 13202 of the Probate Code. (9) Filing and indexing all papers for which a charge is not elsewhere provided, other than papers filed in actions or special proceedings, official bonds, or certificates of appointment. (c) The fee for filing a first petition under Section 2029.600 or 2029.620 of the Code of Civil Procedure, if the petitioner is not a party to the out-of-state case, is eighty dollars ($80). Amounts collected shall be distributed to the Trial Court Trust Fund pursuant to Section 68085.1. (d) The fee for delivering a will to the clerk of the superior court in which the estate of a decedent may be administered, as required by Section 8200 of the Probate Code, is fifty dollars ($50). (e) An amount equivalent to twenty-five dollars ($25) of each fee collected pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) shall be used by the Judicial Council for the expenses of the Judicial Council in implementing and administering the civil representation program under Section 68651.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70627. Section 70627.

The fees collected under this section shall be distributed to the court in which they were collected. (a) The clerk of the court shall charge fifty cents ($0.50) per page to cover the cost of preparing copies of any record, proceeding, or paper on file in the clerk’s office. (b) For comparing with the original on file in the office of the clerk of any court, the copy of any paper, record, or proceeding prepared by another and presented for the clerk’s certificate, the fee is one dollar ($1) per page, in addition to the fee for the certificate. (c) The fee for a search of records or files conducted by a court employee that requires more than 10 minutes is fifteen dollars ($15) for each search.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70628. Section 70628.

For an exemplification of a record or other paper on file, the fee is fifty dollars ($50), in addition to the charges allowed for copying or comparing each page of the record or other paper.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70629. Section 70629.

(a) The clerk of the court shall collect a fee of fifteen dollars ($15) per signature for any document that is required to be authenticated pursuant to court order. (b) Each document authenticated by the clerk of the court shall contain the following statement: “____, Clerk of the Superior Court, County of ____, State of California. Signed pursuant to court order dated ____ in the matter of ____ petitioner v. ____, respondent, Case No. ____.”

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70630. Section 70630.

If the court has made videoconferencing services available, the clerk of the court shall charge a reasonable fee to cover the costs of permitting parties to appear by videoconferencing. This fee shall be deposited into the Trial Court Trust Fund.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70631. Section 70631.

(a) In the absence of a statute or rule explicitly authorizing or prohibiting a fee by the superior court for a particular service or product, the court may charge a fee not to exceed the cost to the court of providing the service or product. A fee not explicitly authorized by statute or rule shall be approved by the Judicial Council. The fee shall be distributed to the court in which it was collected. (b) By December 1, 2027, the Judicial Council shall submit a report to the Legislature, in compliance with Section 9795, regarding each fee charged by a superior court that in the 2026–27 fiscal year for which the revenue collected by and distributed to the court as a result of the fee exceeds the court’s cost of providing the service or product, includes all of the following information: (1) The particular service or product that is provided by payment of the fee. (2) The amount of the fee. (3) The cost to the court in the 2026–27 fiscal year for providing the particular service or product. If it is not feasible for the court to determine the exact cost, despite its good faith effort to do so, the court shall provide the cost basis on which the fee was calculated. (4) The revenue collected by and distributed to the court in the 2026–27 fiscal year as a result of the fee. (5) The number of persons who used the service or product in the 2026–27 fiscal year. If it is not feasible for the court to determine the exact number of persons who used the service or product, despite its good faith effort to do so, the court shall provide a good faith estimate of the number of persons who used the service or product in the 2026–27 fiscal year. (c) By December 1, 2028, and December 1, 2029, the Judicial Council shall submit a report to the Legislature regarding fiscal years 2027–28 and 2028–29 that includes the information specified in subdivision (b). The report shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70632. Section 70632.

The clerk of the court shall charge a reasonable fee for handling funds held in trust for non-court parties or entities. The amount of the fee for handling the funds shall be based on rules adopted by, or guidelines and policies authorized by, the Judicial Council under subdivision (a) of Section 77206. This fee shall be deposited into the Trial Court Trust Fund.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70633. Section 70633.

(a) No fee shall be charged by the clerk for service rendered to the petitioner in any adoption proceeding except as provided in Section 103730 of the Health and Safety Code, nor shall any fees be charged for any service to the state or for any proceeding brought pursuant to Section 7841 of the Family Code to declare a minor free from parental custody or control. No fee shall be charged by the clerk for services rendered in an action to compel registration of a voter under Section 2142 of the Elections Code or to compel counting of provisional ballots under Section 14310 of the Elections Code. (b) No fee shall be charged by the clerk for services rendered in any criminal action unless otherwise specifically authorized by law, except that the clerk may charge the fee specified in Section 70627 for making or certifying to a copy of any filed paper, record, or proceeding in a criminal action. If a criminal defendant has been granted a fee waiver or the court finds that the defendant does not have the ability to pay the fee, the court may reduce or waive the fee. (c) Except as permitted in subdivision (b), no fee shall be charged by the clerk for service to any municipality or county in the state, to the state government, nor to the United States of America or any of its officers acting in his or her official capacity.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70635. Section 70635.

(a) No fee shall be charged to the petitioner in a proceeding for a change of name that meets the conditions for the exemption under subdivision (b) of Section 1277 of the Code of Civil Procedure if the action is filed on behalf of a minor. (b) This section shall be known, and may be cited, as “Sydney’s Law.”

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 70640. Section 70640.

(a) It is the policy of the state that each court shall endeavor to provide a children’s waiting room in each courthouse for children whose parents or guardians are attending a court hearing as a litigant, witness, or for other court purposes as determined by the court. To defray that expense, monthly allocations for children’s waiting rooms shall be added to the monthly apportionment under subdivision (a) of Section 68085 for each court where a children’s waiting room has been established or where the court has elected to establish that service. (b) The amount allocated to each court under this section shall be equal to the following: for each first paper filing fee as provided under Section 70611, 70612, 70613, 70614, or 70670, and each first paper or petition filing fee in a probate matter as provided under Section 70650, 70651, 70652, 70653, 70654, 70655, 70656, or 70658, the same amount as was required to be collected as of December 31, 2005, to the Children’s Waiting Room Fund under former Section 26826.3 in the county in which the court is located when a fee was collected for the filing of a first paper in a civil action under former Section 26820.4. (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court may make expenditures from these allocations in payment of any cost, excluding capital outlay, related to the establishment and maintenance of the children’s waiting room, including personnel, heat, light, telephone, security, rental of space, furnishings, toys, books, or any other item in connection with the operation of a children’s waiting room. (d) If, as of January 1, 2006, there is a Children’s Waiting Room Fund in the county treasury established under former Section 26826.3, the county immediately shall transfer the moneys in that fund to the court’s operations fund as a restricted fund. By February 15, 2006, the county shall provide an accounting of the fund to the Administrative Office of the Courts. (e) After January 1, 2006, the court may apply to the Judicial Council for an adjustment of the amount distributed to the fund for each uniform filing fee. A court that wishes to establish a children’s waiting room, and does not yet have a distribution under this section, may apply to the Judicial Council for a distribution. Applications under this subdivision shall be made according to trial court financial policies and procedures authorized by the Judicial Council under subdivision (a) of Section 77206. Adjustments and new distributions shall be effective January 1 or July 1 of any year beginning January 1, 2006. (f) The distribution to a court under this section per each filing fee shall be not less than two dollars ($2) and not more than five dollars ($5).

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026