Request for Order Hearings in Santa Rosa and Sonoma County, California

In Sonoma County, a Request for Order hearing goes through the Family Law Department at the Civil and Family Law Courthouse, 3055 Cleveland Avenue in Santa Rosa. Under Local Rule 9.13(A)(2), the Clerk's Office sets the hearing date and time and assigns the courtroom when you file your moving papers. You do not need to reserve a date first.

Sonoma has a specific meet and confer rule for Requests for Order on the Domestic Calendar. Local Rule 9.13(C) requires the parties, their lawyers, and the local child support agency, if involved, to meet face to face and make a good faith effort to resolve the issues. Unlike some counties, this meeting can happen the same day, right before the hearing starts. The parties should exchange documents related to the dispute during that meeting. If a party does not take part, the court may drop the matter from the calendar or continue it.

After the hearing date is set, statewide timing rules apply. California Rules of Court, rule 5.92 requires the other party to be served with your Request for Order at least 16 court days before the hearing. The response on Form FL-320 is due by 9 court days before the hearing. Sonoma also has family law tentative rulings for Law and Motion matters. A tentative ruling becomes the court's order unless a party calls the judge's office by 4:00 p.m. the day before the hearing to ask for oral argument.

Self-represented parties can get help with forms and procedure from the Family Law Facilitator and Self-Help Center. Spanish-language resources are available. Staff cannot draft your declarations or predict how the judge will rule.

Where hearings are held in Sonoma County

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

If your Request for Order involves child custody or visitation, Sonoma requires child custody recommending counseling through Family Court Services before the judge decides those issues. The sessions are described as confidential meetings with FCS staff. If the parents do not agree, the recommending counselor prepares a written recommendation for the court. Participants must watch an orientation video and complete an Intake Form before the appointment. A party filing an RFO about custody may also complete a Family Law Child Custody and Visitation Questionnaire (Form FL-045) to give the counselor and judge more focused information about the children.

Remote appearance is broadly available for non-evidentiary Family Law hearings in Sonoma. This includes most standard Request for Order hearings. You do not need to file a Notice of Remote Appearance or get court approval in advance. You only need to give the other side informal notice, by phone, email, or text, before the hearing starts. Evidentiary hearings and trials are handled differently and usually require an in-person appearance or a more formal remote appearance process.

The filing fee for a standard Request for Order in Sonoma is generally $60, consistent with the statewide fee under Government Code section 70617(a). The exact amount was not separately published on the court's family law pages, so confirm it with the clerk. If you need a continuance, submit a Notice of Stipulated Continuance (Local Form FL015) and the continuance fee to the family law clerk by noon two court days before the hearing.

Official hearing resources in Sonoma County

Sonoma County Superior Court, Civil and Family Law Courthouse handles hearings filings, located at 3055 Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa 95403. Phone: (707) 521-6630.

The filing fee is $435. E-filing is available through https://www.sonoma.courts.ca.gov/online-services/e-filing. Check the E-Filing page for current vendor and requirements.

Family Law Facilitator / Self-Help Center (https://www.sonoma.courts.ca.gov/self-help/family-law-facilitator-self-help-center) can help with procedure and paperwork. Assists self-represented parties with family law forms and procedure; Spanish-language resources are available (Consejeria de Derecho Familiar). Local Rule 9.13 (Domestic and Child Support Calendars) applies; see https://www.sonoma.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/local-rules-working-jul-2026-new-address.pdf.

• Sonoma County Family Law Division
• Sonoma County Family Court Services
• Sonoma County Family Law Tentative Rulings
• Sonoma County Family Law Facilitator / Self-Help Center
• Sonoma 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.

Sonoma County RFO Hearing FAQs