Updated August 2026
Request for Order (RFO) Hearings in Imperial County, California
A plain-language guide to asking for a family court hearing in Imperial County, from the Request for Order you file at the Superior Court of California, County of Imperial to deadlines and what to expect, prepared without hiring an attorney.
To get a family law hearing in Imperial County, file a Request for Order, Judicial Council Form FL-300, at the El Centro Courthouse. The court is at 939 West Main Street. Imperial is a smaller, largely rural county with one main courthouse for family law, so you do not have to choose between branches.
After your Request for Order is filed, the statewide notice rules apply. California Rules of Court 5.92 requires the notice of hearing to be served at least 16 court days before the hearing date. If the other party wants to contest the request, a Responsive Declaration, Form FL-320, must be filed and served at least 9 court days before the hearing. Imperial's local rules add county steps to that timeline. The parties must meet and confer before any scheduled hearing. In a custody or visitation dispute, the parties must go to mediation before the matter is heard.
Imperial is a smaller county. Self-help staffing and daily hearing slots may be more limited than in a large metro court. Before you file, check that your paperwork is complete and ask the family law clerk about current wait times. If a filing is rejected or incomplete, the next available slot may be farther out than in a court with more capacity.
Self-represented filers can use the Access Center for procedural help with Request for Order paperwork. Staff cannot give legal advice or tell you how a judge is likely to rule.
Where hearings are held in Imperial County
Family court hearings in Imperial County are held at the Superior Court of California, County of Imperial, with the county seat in El Centro. 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 Imperial 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:
- 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).
- 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).
- The responding party can file a responsive declaration, generally at least 9 court days before the hearing.
- Attend Family Court Services mediation first if custody or visitation is contested.
- Attend the hearing; some courts issue tentative rulings in advance, and some allow remote appearance by video or phone.
Local notes for Imperial County
Imperial County's mediation program is confidential, not recommending. Under Local Rule 5.1.6, mediation sessions are private, and mediators cannot testify about anything discussed during the process. If the parties do not reach an agreement, Local Rule 5.1.7(b) says the mediator may report only that mediation was unsuccessful. The mediator does not recommend how the judge should decide custody or visitation. This is different from counties that use a recommending model.
Remote appearances in Imperial use Microsoft Teams, not Zoom or CourtCall. Requests must be submitted at least three court days before the hearing. There is a $25 remote appearance fee plus card processing fees unless a fee waiver is on file. The court asks participants to use a laptop or tablet with headphones and the Teams app installed, instead of joining from a phone browser.
For a Request for Order, Imperial's local rules require the moving party to bring a proposed Findings and Order After Hearing at the time of filing under Local Rule 5.1.29. Do not wait until after the hearing to prepare it. Because the county is smaller and self-help staffing is more limited, having every required document ready before you go to the courthouse can save a return trip.
Official hearing resources in Imperial County
El Centro Courthouse, Superior Court of California, County of Imperial handles hearings filings, located at 939 West Main Street, El Centro 92243. Phone: 760-482-2233.
The filing fee is $60. Imperial County's own pages do not advertise a mandatory family law e-filing portal comparable to larger counties; unverified whether an e-filing service provider is currently accepted for family law. Confirm with the clerk's office before assuming electronic filing is available.
Access Center / Family Law Self-Help (https://www.imperial.courts.ca.gov/self-help) can help with procedure and paperwork. Located at 939 West Main Street, El Centro, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Staff can help with procedure and forms but cannot give legal advice. Local Rule 5.1.2(b) (Meet and Confer Prior to Hearing) applies; see https://www.imperial.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/local-rules-july-2026_0.pdf. Local Rule 5.1.4 (Referrals to Mediation) applies; see https://www.imperial.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/local-rules-july-2026_0.pdf. Local Rule 5.1.6 (Confidentiality of Mediation) applies; see https://www.imperial.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/local-rules-july-2026_0.pdf. Local Rule 5.1.29 (Findings and Orders After Hearing) applies; see https://www.imperial.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/local-rules-july-2026_0.pdf. Local Rule 3.2.0 (Scheduling Hearings and Tentative Rulings) applies; see https://www.imperial.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/local-rules-july-2026_0.pdf.
- Imperial Superior Court Family Law division
- El Centro Courthouse
- Access Center (self-help)
- Family Court Mediation
- Local Rules PDF
- Remote Appearances
Local details reviewed August 2026. Offices and locations can change, so confirm with the official sites above before you file.
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Imperial County RFO Hearing FAQs
Where do I file a Request for Order in Imperial County?
File Form FL-300 at the El Centro Courthouse, 939 West Main Street, El Centro. This courthouse houses Imperial County's family law division. Imperial has one main courthouse for family law, not multiple branches. You should still confirm current hours before you file.
How is my Request for Order hearing date set in Imperial County?
Imperial's local rules do not give a separate scheduling process for family law matters. Under the general civil scheduling rule, the moving party lists the date, time, and department in the notice of motion, in accordance with statute. The court may reschedule the hearing to manage its calendar. Confirm current practice with the family law clerk when you file.
Do I have to meet and confer before a hearing in Imperial County?
Yes. Local Rule 5.1.2(b) requires the parties to meet and confer before any scheduled hearing. They must make a good faith effort to resolve the pending issues. If the court finds that this did not happen, it can trail or continue the matter so the parties can meet and confer.
Is Family Court mediation confidential or recommending in Imperial County?
Confidential. Local Rule 5.1.6 requires mediation sessions to be private. Mediators cannot testify about what happened during the process. If the parties do not reach an agreement, the mediator only reports that mediation was unsuccessful. The mediator does not recommend an outcome to the judge.
Can I appear remotely for a hearing in Imperial County?
Yes. Imperial uses Microsoft Teams for remote appearances in family law, civil, probate, and juvenile matters. Requests must be submitted at least three court days before the hearing. A $25 remote appearance fee applies unless the party has an approved fee waiver.
How much does it cost to file a Request for Order in Imperial County?
The fee is $60 under the statewide motion fee set by Government Code section 70617(a), as long as it is not the party's first paper filed in the case. If paying the fee would be a hardship, you can request a fee waiver using Form FW-001.
This page is general information about California family court hearing procedure in Imperial County, not legal advice for your situation. Deadlines, local rules, and courtroom procedures change; always confirm current details with the Superior Court of California, County of Imperial or the official California self-help center resources. Virdix is not a law firm and is not a substitute for an attorney.
Hearing guides for nearby counties
Preparing for a hearing in Imperial County
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