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

File a Request for Order in Napa County with Family Law Filing at the Historic Courthouse, 825 Brown Street, First Floor, in Napa. Filers from American Canyon, St. Helena, Calistoga, and the rest of the county use this one family law filing location. The hearing may be at the separate Criminal Courthouse at 1111 Third Street, depending on the department assigned to the case.

Napa County uses a set schedule for custody and visitation Requests for Order. If the other parent does not have an attorney, the hearing is usually set about 8 weeks out on a Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. in Department F. If the other parent has an attorney, the hearing is usually set about 8 weeks out on a Monday at 8:30 a.m. in Department A. The statewide notice rules still control the paperwork deadlines. California Rule of Court 5.92 requires 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.

Family Court Services requires both parents to complete an online orientation before their first mediation appointment. The orientation and parent education program has no charge. The court also has a Mediation Zoom Links page for these appointments. The court's public pages do not say whether the same remote option is available for the RFO hearing itself, so ask the clerk.

A Request for Order has the statewide $60 motion fee, although Napa's filing pages do not list the amount directly. The Family Law Facilitator Self-Help Center, reachable at (707) 299-1137, can help with the required forms. The court accepts filings Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A drop box is available until 5 p.m. for same-day filings.

Where hearings are held in Napa County

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

Napa County has a split scheduling practice. Department F hears matters on Wednesdays when the opposing party is unrepresented. Department A hears matters on Mondays when the opposing party is represented. Ask which department applies when you file, because it changes the day of the week and the courthouse address for the hearing.

Family Court Services is on the Historic Courthouse's lower level at 825 Brown Street. You can reach it at (707) 299-1240. The required online orientation before mediation is free. The county has also piloted a separate online mediation option outside the standard Family Court Services process for parties who want to try to reach an agreement without appearing in person.

In Napa County, the family law filing counter and the hearing courtroom may be in different buildings. Plan time for the filing trip to 825 Brown Street. If your case is assigned to Department F, also plan for the hearing at 1111 Third Street. Confirm the current address for your department with the clerk before your hearing date.

Official hearing resources in Napa County

Family Law Filing, Superior Court of California, County of Napa (Historic Courthouse) handles hearings filings, located at 825 Brown Street, First Floor, Napa 94559. Phone: (707) 299-1130. Criminal Courthouse at 1111 Third Street handles Some family law hearings are held at this location depending on department assignment; used as the hearing address when the request is set in Department F..

The filing fee is $60. E-filing is available through https://www.napa.courts.ca.gov/online-services/efile. The court's Family Law Filing page links to an eFile option under Online Services; confirm current details and any exemptions with the clerk at (707) 299-1130.

Family Law Facilitator Self-Help Center (https://www.napa.courts.ca.gov/self-help) can help with procedure and paperwork. Phone (707) 299-1137. Can help complete Request for Order paperwork but cannot give legal advice. unverified - specific rule number not found (Napa County has not published a specific numbered local rule on RFO meet-and-confer or tentative rulings on the pages reviewed) applies; see https://www.napa.courts.ca.gov/divisions/family/family-law-filing.

• Napa County Family Court Services
• Napa County Family Law Filing
• Mediation Zoom Links
• Napa County Self-Help
• Mediation Orientation Program

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

Napa County RFO Hearing FAQs