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

In Mariposa County, you ask for a family court hearing by filing form FL-300, called a Request for Order or RFO. File it with the Mariposa County Superior Court at 5092 Jones Street in Mariposa. This courthouse handles family law matters for the county.

California uses the same notice timeline for a Request for Order in every county. Under California Rules of Court 5.92, the moving papers usually must be served and filed at least 16 court days before the hearing. The other party's response on form FL-320 is due at least 9 court days before the hearing. Mariposa County follows these statewide deadlines.

Mariposa County's in-person Self-Help Center is currently closed. The court sends self represented parties to the statewide California Online Self-Help Center or SHARPCOURTS.ORG for help with forms. A Family Law Facilitator, who is an attorney, is also available to explain court procedure and help with support and custody issues. That office cannot represent you or give legal advice about your specific case.

If your Request for Order includes a contested custody or visitation issue, Mariposa County uses a Child Custody Recommending Counselor. This means the counselor can send the judge a written recommendation if the parents do not reach their own agreement.

Where hearings are held in Mariposa County

Family court hearings in Mariposa County are held at the Superior Court of California, County of Mariposa, with the county seat in Mariposa. 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 Mariposa 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 Mariposa County

Mariposa County's in-person Self-Help Center is currently closed. Plan to use the statewide California Online Self-Help Center or SHARPCOURTS.ORG for help completing Request for Order forms. You can also contact the Family Law Facilitator's office with procedural questions before you file at 5092 Jones Street in Mariposa.

Mariposa County's mediation program uses a Child Custody Recommending Counselor model. If you and the other parent do not agree on custody or visitation during mediation, the counselor can submit a written recommendation to the judge. This differs from the fully confidential mediation model used in some other counties.

Remote appearance is listed among Mariposa County's online services. This may help residents who must travel long distances to reach the Mariposa courthouse. Confirm the current platform and any advance sign-up requirements with the clerk's office at (209) 742-5322 before your hearing date.

If the Request for Order filing fee would be a financial hardship, a statewide fee waiver on form FW-001 is available in Mariposa County, as it is elsewhere in California. The Family Law Facilitator's office can explain how to complete the fee waiver forms with your Request for Order paperwork.

Since the in-person Self-Help Center is closed, keep a record of every phone call and email exchange with the court, SHARPCOURTS.ORG, or the Family Law Facilitator. You may need to follow up more than once to get a paperwork question answered before your hearing date.

Official hearing resources in Mariposa County

Mariposa County Superior Court handles hearings filings, located at 5092 Jones Street, Mariposa 95338. Phone: (209) 742-5322.

No county specific e-filing portal for family law was confirmed during research. Confirm current filing options with the clerk's office.

Mariposa County Self-Help Center (https://www.mariposa.courts.ca.gov/self-help) can help with procedure and paperwork. The in-person Self-Help Center is currently closed. The court directs self represented parties to SHARPCOURTS.ORG or the California Online Self-Help Center for assistance instead. A Family Law Facilitator, an attorney, is separately available to explain court process and help with child support, health insurance, custody, and spousal support matters, but cannot represent you or give case specific legal advice.

• Mariposa County Self-Help
• Mariposa County Child Custody Recommending Counselor
• Mariposa County Superior Court
• Request for Order (FL-300), California Courts Self-Help

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

Mariposa County RFO Hearing FAQs