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

File a Request for Order in Mendocino County with Family Law at the Mendocino County Courthouse, 100 North State Street, Room 107, in Ukiah. The county also has a secondary court location in Fort Bragg for coastal residents. If you are filing from Willits or the coast, ask the clerk which location applies to your case before you file.

Statewide timing rules apply. California Rule of Court 5.92 requires the moving papers, Form FL-300, to be served and filed at least 16 court days before the hearing. A Responsive Declaration, Form FL-320, is due at least 9 court days before the hearing.

Mendocino County is a confidential county for custody mediation. The court's Family Mediation page says mediation is confidential. It also says mediators do not make recommendations or write reports about the family to the court when parents cannot agree on a parenting plan. This is different from a recommending county, where the mediator can advise the judge. There is no fee for Family Mediation in Mendocino County.

Remote appearances use Zoom. The court says most appearances, including many family law matters, can be done remotely. Long-cause hearings, court trials, and jury trials require an in-person appearance. A party who wants to appear remotely files Form RA-010 and RA-020. An opposing party who objects can file Form RA-015. A Request for Order has the statewide $60 motion fee. The Self-Help Center is available at the Ukiah courthouse during regular clerk hours.

Where hearings are held in Mendocino County

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

Mendocino County runs from the coast at Fort Bragg to inland Ukiah and Willits. Confirm which courthouse handles your case before you file. This matters more here than in a county with one court location. The Ukiah family court clerk's public counter is open 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding judicial holidays.

Mendocino's mediation confidentiality rule is clearly stated by the court. If parents do not reach an agreement in mediation, the mediator will not tell the judge the mediator's opinion. This is different from a recommending county. The mediation session has lower risk in terms of what gets reported to the court, but the custody dispute can still go to a hearing if there is no agreement.

For remote appearances, you must file and serve specific Judicial Council forms. You cannot just call in. The court can still require an in-person appearance, even if the parties ask to appear remotely. Confirm current e-filing options and RFO fee amounts with the family court clerk at (707) 468-2001 before a filing trip. This can help you avoid problems, especially if you have a long drive from coastal or inland communities.

The court also lists the Mendocino County Law Library and the Judicial Council website as places to find blank forms. This can help if you cannot get to the Ukiah courthouse in person during clerk hours.

Official hearing resources in Mendocino County

Family Law, Mendocino County Courthouse handles hearings filings, located at 100 North State Street, Room 107, Ukiah 95482. Phone: (707) 468-2001. Fort Bragg location at unverified - exact street address not confirmed handles A secondary court location serves coastal Mendocino County; confirm which case types it handles with the clerk..

The filing fee is $60. E-filing is available through https://www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/e-filing. The court maintains a dedicated e-filing section; confirm current family law RFO e-filing procedures with the clerk.

Self-Help Center (https://www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/self-help) can help with procedure and paperwork. Family court clerk public counter hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding judicial holidays. Mendocino County Court Rules & Orders (Superior Court of California, County of Mendocino Court Rules & Orders) applies; see https://www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/general-information/court-rules-orders.

• Mendocino County Family Mediation
• Mendocino County Family Law
• Remote Court Appearances
• Mendocino County Self-Help
• Ukiah - Mendocino County Courthouse

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

Mendocino County RFO Hearing FAQs