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

File a Request for Order in Sutter County at the Sutter County Superior Courthouse, 1175 Civic Center Blvd in Yuba City. This courthouse handles family law matters for the whole county. Filers from Live Oak and other parts of Sutter County use this location.

Hearing timing follows statewide rules. California Rule of Court 5.92 requires the moving papers, Form FL-300, to be served and filed at least 16 court days before the hearing. A Responsive Declaration, Form FL-320, is due at least 9 court days before the hearing. The court's self-help page tells people to read the papers they were served with carefully, because response deadlines depend on what was filed.

Sutter County has a documented process for remote appearances. Video appearances use LifeSize. Telephonic appearances for Monday morning hearings in Courtrooms 1 or 2 use CourtCall. A Notice of Remote Appearance, Form RA-010, is required at least 10 court days before an evidentiary hearing or trial, or at least 3 court days before most other hearings. Approved parties receive connection information by email. Recording any remote appearance is strictly prohibited.

A Request for Order has the statewide $60 motion fee. The county's family law page sends filers to a separate Fee Schedule instead of listing the amount on that page. The Family Law Self-Help Center is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in person and by phone at 530-822-3305. It can help with the required forms.

Where hearings are held in Sutter County

Family court hearings in Sutter County are held at the Superior Court of California, County of Sutter, with the county seat in Yuba City. 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 Sutter 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 Sutter County

Sutter County's remote appearance rules are more detailed than in many smaller counties. For Monday morning telephonic appearances through CourtCall, contact CourtCall by the preceding Thursday. For other times, call the court directly at (530) 822-3304. Video appearances through LifeSize follow the Form RA-010 notice deadlines.

The Family Court Services page describes custody mediation as a confidential process that helps parents talk. It does not say whether Sutter is a recommending county, where the mediator can advise the judge if parents do not agree, or a fully confidential county, where the mediator cannot. Confirm this directly with Family Court Services before a custody-related RFO hearing. It affects what the mediator can tell the court.

Sutter is a compact, largely agricultural county centered on Yuba City. Most filers use one courthouse and one self-help center, instead of choosing between branch locations. This makes the place to file simpler, even though some details, like the exact hearing-date process, are not stated on the court's public pages.

Anyone served with a petition or Request for Order in Sutter County should read the paperwork closely. The response deadline depends on the specific relief requested. The court's self-help materials say filers are responsible for finding and meeting that deadline.

Official hearing resources in Sutter County

Sutter County Superior Courthouse, Family Law handles hearings filings, located at 1175 Civic Center Blvd, Yuba City 95993. Phone: 530-822-3305.

The filing fee is $60. E-filing is available through https://www.sutter.courts.ca.gov/online-services/e-file. Sutter County offers an eFiling service with a dedicated eFiling FAQ page; confirm whether family law RFOs are included with the clerk.

Family Law Self-Help Center (https://www.sutter.courts.ca.gov/self-help/family-law-facilitator) can help with procedure and paperwork. Available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in person and by telephone at 530-822-3305. Sutter County Local Rules of Court (Superior Court of California, County of Sutter Local Rules of Court) applies; see https://www.sutter.courts.ca.gov/general-information/local-rules-court.

• Sutter County Child Custody Mediation
• Sutter County Family Law Self-Help
• Family Law Facilitator
• Remote Appearances
• Local Rules of Court

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

Sutter County RFO Hearing FAQs