Request for Order Hearings in San Jose and Santa Clara County, California

In Santa Clara County, most family law hearings are Request for Order (RFO) hearings. An RFO can ask for orders about custody, support, property, and other family law issues. These hearings are filed with and heard by the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara at the Family Justice Center Courthouse (FJCC), 201 N. First Street in San Jose. This is the only family law courthouse in the county. It handles filings from San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and every other city in the county.

An RFO uses Judicial Council form FL-300. You use it to ask a judge for orders in a new or existing family law case. The other party usually responds with Form FL-320. California Rules of Court, Rule 5.92 sets the basic timeline statewide. A Request for Order and supporting papers usually must be served at least 16 court days before the hearing. A Responsive Declaration is due at least 9 court days before the hearing. Santa Clara County's Local Family Rules add local steps for case assignment, meet and confer, and remote appearances.

Custody and visitation Requests for Order in Santa Clara County have another step. Local Family Rule 2(A) usually requires each parent to complete online Parent Orientation and schedule mediation through Family Court Services before the hearing goes forward. Santa Clara County's FCS mediation is confidential. This means what you discuss with the mediator usually is not shared with the judge, except for mandated reporting exceptions.

The RFO forms, deadlines, and legal standards are the same across California. County logistics can differ. In Santa Clara County, local practice controls the courthouse and department assignment, remote appearance requests, and any local forms or rule steps needed before the hearing.

Where hearings are held in Santa Clara County

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

Santa Clara County's Local Family Rules do not allow telephone-only appearances in the Family Division. Any remote appearance must use video. Law and Motion hearings, which include most RFO hearings, are usually held in person unless the judge allows something else. If your hearing does not already qualify for remote appearance, you usually must file Form RA-010 with a blank Form FM-1201 at least 15 days before the hearing date to ask for permission. You must also serve a blank Form RA-015 on the other side.

Self-represented parties can get free procedural help with RFO paperwork from the Self-Help Center / Family Law Facilitator's Office. Call (408) 882-2926, option 3, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Odyssey eFileCA is the court's e-filing platform. Self-represented litigants may use it for family law filings, but they do not have to.

The base fee to file a Request for Order or similar motion in Santa Clara County is $60 under the statewide fee schedule. There is an additional $25 charge if the motion asks to modify or enforce a custody or visitation order. Fee waivers may be available for people who qualify. Local Family Rule 1(M) also requires parties and attorneys to meet and confer before a law and motion hearing. Self-represented parties do not have to meet and confer before a domestic violence restraining order hearing.

Official hearing resources in Santa Clara County

Family Justice Center Courthouse (FJCC) handles hearings filings, located at 201 N. First Street, San Jose 95113. Phone: 408-534-5711.

The filing fee is $60. E-filing is available through https://santaclara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/e-filing. Odyssey eFileCA is the court's e-filing platform for family law documents. The court's e-filing FAQ page confirms e-filing is available to self-represented litigants but is not mandatory for them.

Self-Help Center / Family Law Facilitator's Office (SHC/FLFO) (https://santaclara.courts.ca.gov/self-help/self-help-centerflf-office) can help with procedure and paperwork. Free help with family law forms and procedure, including RFO paperwork, for people representing themselves. Phone (408) 882-2926, option 3, available Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Staff cannot give legal advice. Local Family Rule 1(M) (Meet and confer requirements (citing Cal. Rules of Court, Rule 5.98)) applies; see https://santaclara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/rules/family.pdf. Local Family Rule 1(N) (Appearances (remote appearance rules for the Family Division)) applies; see https://santaclara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/rules/family.pdf. Local Family Rule 1(M) (Rule 5, Section M) (Tentative rulings in family law and motion matters) applies; see https://santaclara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/rules/family.pdf. Local Family Rule 2(A) (Parent orientation and initiating mediation before a custody or visitation Request for Order) applies; see https://santaclara.courts.ca.gov/system/files/rules/family.pdf.

• Family Justice Center Courthouse (FJCC)
• Santa Clara County Local Family Rules of Court (PDF)
• Self-Help Center / Family Law Facilitator's Office
• Family Court Services (FCS)
• Family Division Remote Appearances
• Santa Clara County Superior Court E-Filing

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

Santa Clara County RFO Hearing FAQs