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

In Sierra County, you ask for a family court hearing by filing form FL-300, called a Request for Order or RFO. File it with the Sierra County Superior Court at 100 Courthouse Square, Second Floor, in Downieville. This courthouse handles family law matters for one of California's smallest and most mountainous counties.

California uses the same notice timeline for a Request for Order in every county. Under California Rules of Court 5.92, moving papers generally must be served and filed at least 16 court days before the hearing. The other party's response on form FL-320 is due at least 9 court days before the hearing. Sierra County uses these statewide deadlines.

Sierra County's population is spread across steep, forested terrain. For that reason, the court provides self-help services at three separate locations: in Downieville, at the Loyalton Family Resource Center, and through a partnership with the Nevada City Law Library. This helps residents get basic form help without always traveling to the county seat.

The court also offers Remote Zoom Hearings, which may reduce travel for parties who live far from Downieville.

Where hearings are held in Sierra County

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

Sierra County's self-help assistance is divided among three locations to reach its scattered population. Help is available at the Downieville courthouse, open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is also available at the Loyalton Family Resource Center at 315 Main Street, open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by calling (530) 993-1110 for an appointment. A partnership site also operates at the Nevada City Law Library in neighboring Nevada County. Each location uses SHARP computer programs to help with custody, child support, and other family law forms.

The Nevada City Law Library partnership suggests that some Sierra County family law support may be shared with resources in Nevada County. That can happen in very small counties. If your case involves mediation for a contested custody or visitation issue, ask the clerk's office directly if Sierra County handles this in house or refers cases elsewhere, since this was not specified on the court's public pages.

Because of the distances involved in a county this size and shape, Sierra County's Remote Zoom Hearings option may help with your Request for Order hearing. Confirm the current sign-up process with the clerk's office at (530) 289-3698 before your scheduled date.

If the Request for Order filing fee would cause financial hardship, a statewide fee waiver on form FW-001 is available in Sierra County just as it is elsewhere in California. Staff at any of the three self-help locations can help you complete the fee waiver forms with your Request for Order paperwork.

Official hearing resources in Sierra County

Sierra County Superior Court handles hearings filings, located at 100 Courthouse Square, Second Floor, Downieville 95936. Phone: (530) 289-3698.

No county specific e-filing portal for family law was confirmed during research. Confirm current filing options with the clerk's office.

Sierra County Self-Help Center (https://www.sierra.courts.ca.gov/self-help) can help with procedure and paperwork. Self-help assistance is available at three locations: the Downieville courthouse (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., (530) 289-3698), the Loyalton Family Resource Center at 315 Main Street (Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., appointment line (530) 993-1110), and a partnership site at the Nevada City Law Library, 201 Church Street. Sierra County uses SHARP computer programs to help with child custody, child support modification, and other family law forms at these locations.

• Sierra County Self-Help
• Sierra County Superior Court
• Request for Order (FL-300), California Courts Self-Help
• Form FL-300, Request for Order

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

Sierra County RFO Hearing FAQs