Request for Order (RFO) Hearings in Fresno County, California

In Fresno County, a hearing on a Request for Order (Form FL-300) is handled by the Superior Court of California, County of Fresno, at the Family Court inside the B.F. Sisk Courthouse in downtown Fresno. If you live in Fresno, Clovis, Sanger, Reedley, Selma, or elsewhere in the county, you file at the O Street location. Your hearing will usually be held there too.

Fresno has a local rule, Local Rule 1.1.19, for remote appearances at family law hearings. For most RFO hearings, which are non-evidentiary, you file a Notice of Remote Appearance (Form RA-010) with a proposed order (Form RA-020) at least 2 court days before the hearing if it is more than 3 court days away. If your hearing is sooner, file by 2pm the day before. For Case Management Conferences, you can also set up a telephonic appearance through CourtCall.

If your Request for Order involves a disputed custody or visitation issue, Fresno sends parents to its Family Law Mediation Panel. The court's public pages mention the panel but do not say whether it uses recommending mediation, where the mediator can report to the judge, or confidential mediation. Confirm the current format with the Family Law Facilitator office before your appointment.

The Family Court clerk's office has limited hours. It is open Monday through Thursday from 8am to 3pm and Friday from 8am to noon. Plan around those hours if you need to file or ask questions in person.

Where hearings are held in Fresno County

Family court hearings in Fresno County are held at the Superior Court of California, County of Fresno, with the county seat in Fresno. Because courtroom assignments, remote appearance options, and local procedures change over time, use the official California Courts court finder to confirm current details:

Find the Fresno County Superior Court (official California Courts finder)

How a family court hearing works in California

In California, a party who wants the court to decide something while a case is pending, such as temporary custody, support, or attorney's fees, files a Request for Order (Form FL-300). The core steps are:

1. File the Request for Order (Form FL-300) with a supporting declaration and, if support or fees are at issue, an Income and Expense Declaration (Form FL-150).
2. Serve the other party by the deadline the court sets, generally at least 16 court days before the hearing (California Rules of Court, rule 5.92).
3. The responding party can file a responsive declaration, generally at least 9 court days before the hearing.
4. Attend Family Court Services mediation first if custody or visitation is contested.
5. Attend the hearing; some courts issue tentative rulings in advance, and some allow remote appearance by video or phone.

Local notes for Fresno County

Fresno family law hearings are centered at the B.F. Sisk Courthouse, so there is one main address to plan for. The clerk's Friday hours are 8am to noon, and Monday through Thursday hours are 8am to 3pm. That makes timing an in-person visit more limited than at a courthouse open for a full business day.

Fresno's remote appearance deadlines under Local Rule 1.1.19 are exact and time sensitive. If you file your Notice of Remote Appearance late, or miss the 2 court day or 5 court day windows based on your hearing type, you may lose the option to appear remotely. Read the rule's deadlines closely instead of assuming you can ask to appear remotely at any time.

Since July 1, 2025, parties represented by an attorney must accept electronic service in Fresno family law cases. This can affect how fast paperwork moves after your Request for Order is filed. If you represent yourself, ask the clerk whether the requirement applies to you too.

Official hearing resources in Fresno County

B.F. Sisk Courthouse, Family Court handles hearings filings, located at 1130 O Street, Second Floor, Fresno 93721-2220. Phone: 559-457-2100.

The filing fee is $60. E-filing is available through https://www.fresno.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-rules. As of July 1, 2025, represented parties must accept electronic service in Fresno family law cases; confirm the specific approved e-filing service provider with the clerk.

Fresno Superior Court Self-Help (https://www.fresno.courts.ca.gov/self-help) can help with procedure and paperwork. Free help with family law forms and procedure for people representing themselves; staff cannot give legal advice. Local Rule 1.1.19 (Remote appearance procedural requirements) applies; see https://www.fresno.courts.ca.gov/divisions/family-law/remote-appearance-procedural-requirements.

• Fresno Superior Court Family Law Division
• Fresno Superior Court Family Law Remote Appearance Procedural Requirements
• Fresno Superior Court Local Rules
• Fresno Superior Court Self-Help

Local details reviewed August 2026. Offices and locations can change, so confirm with the official sites above before you file.

Fresno County RFO Hearing FAQs