Request for Order Hearings in Redwood City and San Mateo County, California

In San Mateo County, a Request for Order hearing is set through the Family Law Division at 400 County Center in Redwood City, the Southern Branch courthouse. When you file, the clerk's office gives you the initial hearing date on the family law department's law and motion calendar under Local Rule 5.7(B). You do not use a separate scheduling system. Cases are randomly assigned to a specific judicial department when filed. That department then usually handles later hearings in the case through trial under the county's direct calendaring system.

San Mateo keeps a meet and confer rule for standard Requests for Order. After a responsive declaration is filed, Local Rule 5.7(F)(1) requires the moving party to contact the other side. The parties must meet and confer, in person or by phone, before the hearing. They must try in good faith to narrow the issues. This rule does not apply to harassment or domestic violence matters. The statewide notice and response timeline still applies. California Rules of Court, rule 5.92 requires at least 16 court days notice before the hearing. It allows a response on Form FL-320 up to 9 court days before the hearing.

If your Request for Order includes custody or visitation, San Mateo requires child custody recommending counseling through Family Court Services before the judge decides those issues. This is a recommending model. If the parties do not agree, the counselor sends the court a written recommendation about the parenting plan. You must also complete a Family Court Services Information Sheet and bring it to your scheduled FCS appointment.

Self-represented parties can get help with forms and procedure through the county's Self-Help Center and Family Law Facilitator. Staff cannot draft your declarations or predict how a judge will rule. Office visits require an appointment.

Where hearings are held in San Mateo County

Family court hearings in San Mateo County are held at the Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo, with the county seat in Redwood City. 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 San Mateo 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 San Mateo County

San Mateo's local rules include a pre-hearing meet and confer step for most Requests for Order. Some counties have repealed this kind of rule, but San Mateo has not. The parties are expected to exchange information before the hearing. They should also stipulate to facts when they can and identify what is still disputed. A party who does not participate in good faith risks attorney's fees or sanctions. The county's local rules say a tentative ruling procedure for Requests for Order, Orders to Show Cause, and Notices of Motion was adopted and then repealed effective July 1, 2023. Do not assume a tentative ruling will be posted before your hearing. Check with the assigned department.

Remote appearance by Zoom is available for many family law calendars in San Mateo, but not all. The court's Calendar Appearance Requirement Matrix says which calendars allow it. When remote appearance is allowed, video is strongly preferred over audio-only. Participants must sign in at least 15 minutes before the hearing start time. Anyone who joins after the check-in window is treated as late, just like a late in-person appearance.

If your case involves a domestic violence temporary restraining order, the clerk must calendar the hearing within 25 days of filing under Local Rule 5.7(B). If mediation is also required for custody or visitation issues, the court will still set the hearing within that 25-day window. The custody part may be continued if a Family Court Services appointment is not available at least 5 court days before the hearing date.

Official hearing resources in San Mateo County

San Mateo County Superior Court, Family Law Division, Southern Branch handles hearings filings, located at 400 County Center, 1st Floor, Redwood City 94063. Phone: (650) 261-5100.

The filing fee is $435. E-filing is available through https://sanmateo.courts.ca.gov/divisions/family-law-division. The court maintains an Odyssey Public Portal for case tracking; check the Family Law Division page for current e-filing vendor and requirements.

Self-Help Center / Family Law Facilitator (https://sanmateo.courts.ca.gov/self-help/divorce-legal-separation) can help with procedure and paperwork. Assists self-represented parties with divorce, custody, child support, and related family law paperwork and procedure. Office visits require an appointment. Local Rule 5.7 (Request for Orders, Order to Show Cause, and Notice of Motion) applies; see https://sanmateo.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/localrules.pdf. Local Rule 5.11 (Family Court Services) applies; see https://sanmateo.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/localrules.pdf.

• San Mateo County Family Law Division
• San Mateo County Family Law Direct Calendaring
• San Mateo County Family Law Remote Appearance Protocol
• San Mateo County Family Court Services (FCS)
• San Mateo County Local Rules of Court
• California Rules of Court, rule 5.92

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

San Mateo County RFO Hearing FAQs