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

In Santa Cruz County, a family law hearing on a Request for Order (Form FL-300) is handled by the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Cruz, Family Law Division, at the Watsonville Courthouse, 1 Second Street, Room 300. All family law hearings in the county take place at this one Watsonville location, including hearings for residents of the city of Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, and Capitola. They are not heard at a separate branch closer to the coast.

When a family law case is first filed, the clerk assigns it to one of the county's two family law departments for all purposes under Local Rule 3.1.15. Later Request for Order hearings are set in that same department. California's statewide notice rule still applies. Under California Rules of Court, rule 5.92, a Request for Order generally must be filed and served at least 16 court days before the hearing. A responsive declaration on Form FL-320 is due at least 9 court days before the hearing. Emergency ex parte requests use a faster, separate process, with notice due by 10:00 a.m. the court day before a 1:00 p.m. hearing.

Before a judge hears a contested custody or visitation dispute in Santa Cruz County, the parties are expected to try to reach an agreement. If they cannot agree, the issue goes to Child Custody Recommending Counseling. Santa Cruz is what the court's local rules call a recommending jurisdiction. If the parents still disagree after meeting with a counselor, the counselor gives the judge a recommendation about custody and visitation. This is different from counties where mediation stays confidential.

Many Santa Cruz County family law hearings, including settlement conferences, can be attended by Zoom in Departments B, C, and D. If you plan to appear remotely, you must notify the court and the other party using Form RA-010. You also must submit any evidence you plan to rely on in advance, under the court's evidence submission guidelines.

Where hearings are held in Santa Cruz County

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

Every Santa Cruz County family law hearing takes place at the Watsonville Courthouse. You do not have to choose between courthouse locations as you might in some larger counties. This also means residents of the city of Santa Cruz or the coastal north county must travel to Watsonville instead of filing closer to home. Electronic filing is accepted around the clock. The clerk's office is open for in-person filing from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays, and an after-hours drop box is available.

If your Request for Order involves custody or visitation and the parties disagree, expect a referral to Child Custody Recommending Counseling. The first three hours in any 12 month period are free. You must arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled mediation time for a required orientation video about the process. Because Santa Cruz is a recommending jurisdiction, the counselor's view on custody and visitation goes to the judge if you and the other party cannot reach your own agreement.

If your Request for Order needs to be rescheduled, Santa Cruz uses specific local forms. Use Form FL-308 if both sides agree to a new date. Use Forms FL-306 or FL-307 plus FL-309 if they do not agree. A continuance request and proof of service generally must reach the court at least 5 court days before the original hearing date under California Rules of Court, rule 5.95(d)(1)(A)(iv). The Self-Help Center can help with these forms. It can also help with a fee waiver on Form FW-001 if the $60 filing fee would be a hardship.

Official hearing resources in Santa Cruz County

Superior Court of California, County of Santa Cruz, Family Law Division handles hearings filings, located at 1 Second Street, Room 300, Watsonville 95076. Phone: (831) 786-7200.

The filing fee is $60. E-filing is available through https://www.santacruz.courts.ca.gov/online-services. Electronic filing is required for civil, family, probate, LPS, and appellate case types. Self-represented parties are exempt but may still e-file voluntarily.

Santa Cruz Superior Court Self-Help Center (https://www.santacruz.courts.ca.gov/self-help) can help with procedure and paperwork. Provides procedural help with Request for Order paperwork, custody, support, and dissolution forms for self-represented parties; staff cannot give legal advice. Local Rule 3.1.09 (Judicial Mediation) applies; see https://www.santacruz.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/santa-cruz-superior-court-local-rules-court-july-1-2026-final.pdf. Local Rule 3.1.13 (Ex Partes in Family Law) applies; see https://www.santacruz.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/santa-cruz-superior-court-local-rules-court-july-1-2026-final.pdf. Local Rule 3.1.15 (Assignment of Cases and Challenges to Assigned Judge) applies; see https://www.santacruz.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/santa-cruz-superior-court-local-rules-court-july-1-2026-final.pdf. Local Rule 3.1.16 (Request for Continuances) applies; see https://www.santacruz.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/santa-cruz-superior-court-local-rules-court-july-1-2026-final.pdf. Local Rule 3.3.02 (Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC)) applies; see https://www.santacruz.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/santa-cruz-superior-court-local-rules-court-july-1-2026-final.pdf.

• Santa Cruz Superior Court, Family Law Division
• Santa Cruz Superior Court Self-Help Center
• Santa Cruz Superior Court Remote Appearance
• Santa Cruz Superior Court Local Rules (PDF)
• 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.

Santa Cruz County RFO Hearing FAQs