Request for Order (RFO) Hearings in Santa Barbara County, California

In Santa Barbara County, a family law Request for Order (RFO) hearing is set in the Superior Court's Anacapa Division in Santa Barbara or the Cook Division in Santa Maria. The right division depends on where the case is filed. Both divisions hear family law matters. The Figueroa Division in Santa Barbara and the Lompoc Division handle only criminal and traffic matters. They do not calendar RFO hearings.

After a Request for Order is filed on Judicial Council form FL-300, the filing party must confirm that the assigned department has an open date on its family law and motion calendar. The clerk does not automatically assign a hearing date at intake the way some counties do. Statewide rules under California Rules of Court 5.92 require at least 16 court days of notice before the hearing. A party who files a responsive declaration on form FL-320 must file it at least 9 court days before the hearing.

The filing fee for a Request for Order in an existing family law case is $60 under Government Code section 70677(a). There is an additional $25 charge if the request seeks to modify or enforce a custody or visitation order under Government Code section 70678. Fee waivers are available for parties who qualify financially.

If the RFO involves a contested custody or visitation dispute, Santa Barbara's Family Court Services requires both parents to attend mediation before the hearing. Santa Barbara uses confidential mediation. This means the mediator does not share what is discussed or make a recommendation to the judge or commissioner assigned to the case.

Where hearings are held in Santa Barbara County

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

Santa Barbara Superior Court's local rules for ex parte and Request for Order procedure are in Chapter Fourteen of the local rules, especially Local Rules 1405 through 1413. Ex parte (emergency) requests are disfavored. The court prefers a regularly noticed hearing on full statutory notice or a hearing on shortened time. A party asking for an emergency order must show good cause why the matter cannot wait for a normal RFO hearing. Hearings on the family law and motion calendar are generally set for 15 minutes. Continuance requests made at the hearing are discouraged. The preferred method is a written stipulation on Local Form SC-4032.

Remote appearance by Zoom or by CourtCall is available under Local Rule 1005, consistent with Code of Civil Procedure section 367.75. Parties or attorneys who appear remotely must log in at least five minutes before the scheduled time. Parties who plan to appear remotely throughout a case are encouraged to give advance notice as described in California Rules of Court, rule 3.672. E-filing has been mandatory in Santa Barbara Superior Court since January 1, 2016, through an approved Odyssey eFileCA vendor. Self-represented litigants can also use the court's free Odyssey Guide & File tool to prepare and submit forms.

Parties who need help preparing an RFO or responsive declaration can use the Family Law Facilitator's Office at no cost. The office also offers free monthly Zoom classes on custody and visitation, plus financial disclosure topics. Scheduling practices and current local form requirements can change. Before filing, confirm the hearing date, department, and required attachments with the clerk's office, especially for cases filed in the Santa Maria filing district.

Official hearing resources in Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara Superior Court, Anacapa Division handles hearings filings, located at 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara 93101. Phone: (805) 882-4520. Santa Maria Superior Court, Cook Division at 312 East Cook Street, Building E handles Family law, including Request for Order hearings, for cases filed in the Santa Maria (North County) filing district. Santa Barbara Superior Court, Figueroa Division at 118 E. Figueroa Street handles Criminal, traffic, and misdemeanor/infraction appeals only; does not hear family law matters. Lompoc Division at 115 Civic Center Plaza handles Criminal and traffic matters only; family law RFO hearings are not calendared here.

The filing fee is $60. E-filing is available through http://www.odysseyefileca.com/service-providers.htm. Mandatory electronic filing began January 1, 2016, through approved Odyssey eFileCA service providers. Self-represented parties may also use the free Odyssey Guide & File online forms tool.

Santa Barbara Family Law Facilitator's Office (https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/divisions/family-law/family-law-facilitator) can help with procedure and paperwork. Offers free help completing family law forms and free monthly Zoom classes on custody, visitation, divorce, and financial disclosure; separate offices serve the Santa Barbara/Goleta area and the Santa Maria/Lompoc area. Local Rule 1405-1410 (Ex parte (emergency) request for order policies and scheduling) applies; see https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/courtrules0125.pdf. Local Rule 1411 (Requests for order, motions, and orders to show cause - calendaring) applies; see https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/courtrules0125.pdf. Local Rule 1412 (Filing and service of requests for order) applies; see https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/courtrules0125.pdf. Local Rule 1413 (Hearings on requests for order, motions, and orders to show cause) applies; see https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/courtrules0125.pdf. Local Rule 1005 (Appearance by telephone or remote means (Zoom)) applies; see https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/courtrules0125.pdf. Local Rule 1501 (Family Court Services mediation requirement) applies; see https://www.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/courtrules0125.pdf.

• Santa Barbara Superior Court - Family Law Division
• Family Law Facilitator's Office
• Family Court Services
• Locations & Contact Info
• Local Rules
• Filing Fees

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

Santa Barbara County RFO Hearing FAQs