Choose the exact case type and court before filing. Court self-help information and a referral do not establish an attorney-client relationship.
Court fees, service requirements, response deadlines and exceptions depend on the current procedure. A link is an informational starting point, not a complete filing workflow.
Court branches, clerk windows, telephone assistance and remote appearances may have different instructions. Check the cited official page for the applicable channel.
Official local court information and resources for this specific subject. Confirm the applicable case type, filing channel and current instructions with the court.
Local family instructions. This quoted rule keeps the court’s stated subject, representation, location and procedure limits; it is not a promise of complete self-help or legal representation.
Pursuant to section 1010.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure, rule 2.253(b)(2) of the California Rules of Court, Orange County Superior Court Rule 700.7, all documents filed by attorneys in Family Law cases, other than documents listed on the exception list specified below, must be filed electronically unless the Court excuses party from doing so. Self-represented parties are exempt from the mandatory electronic filing requirement set forth in Orange County Superior Court Local Rule 700.7 but are strongly encouraged to participate voluntarily in electronic filing.
Official local court information and resources for this specific subject. Confirm the applicable case type, filing channel and current instructions with the court.
Local Small Claims — source-specific information; other procedures and appeals may differ
Small Claims court is a special court where disputes are resolved quickly and inexpensively. Please make your selection from the group of buttons below.
Local small-claims instructions. This quoted rule keeps the court’s stated subject, representation, location and procedure limits; it is not a promise of complete self-help or legal representation.
You have to pay a filing fee when you file your small claims case. The fee depends on the amount of your claim and the number of claims that you file in a year. If you cannot afford the filing fees, you can fill out a Request to Waive Court Fees and Order(FW-001 and FW-003). You can also get these forms online, in person, by mail. You can read more about fees waivers.
Official local court information and resources for this specific subject. Confirm the applicable case type, filing channel and current instructions with the court.
Official local court information and resources for this specific subject. Confirm the applicable case type, filing channel and current instructions with the court.
The official court page specifically describes this subject and its available information. Consult its current instructions for your situation.
Local Name Change — source-specific information; other procedures and appeals may differ
The process for changing a name can be complicated, and it is somewhat different depending on whether the name being changed is for an adult, or a child (minor), although many of the same forms are used. You can find more information about changing a name and/or gender for adults and minors on the tabs to your left. After a court grants your request, there are numerous places you need to notify (such as social security, DMV, passport office, etc.), to update your legal documents. Below you will find more information to help with that step.
The process for changing a name can be complicated, and it is somewhat different depending on whether the name being changed is for an adult, or a child (minor), although many of the same forms are used. You can find more information about changing a name and/or gender for adults and minors on the tabs to your left. After a court grants your request, there are numerous places you need to notify (such as social security, DMV, passport office, etc.), to update your legal documents. Below you will find more information to help with that step.
Shared California Courts self-help guidance, available for all 58 California county court contexts; local procedures and individual circumstances vary.
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
You probably know what divorce means. In California, the legal word for divorce is dissolution.
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
Dissolution is the legal process to end a marriage or domestic partnership. It includes both divorce and a simpler option called summary dissolution. In some cases, people may choose a different legal process, like legal separation or annulment.
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
Small claims court allows you to sue a person, business, or government agency that you think owes you money. Generally, you can only sue for up to $12,500 in small claims court (or up to $6,250 if you’re a business). You can ask a lawyer for advice before you go to court, but you can't have one with you in court.
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
Get basic information and links to sample legal documents (like a will or a power of attorney) to have a plan if you or someone you love becomes sick or dies.
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
If you need a restraining order, first find out what type of restraining order you need. Your court's self-help center ↗️ (link opens in a new tab) can help if you're not sure. Once you know, select that type to find the type of protection it offers, how to ask for one, and how to renew or enforce it.
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
If someone asked for a restraining order against you, choose the type of restraining order they asked for below to find out more about your options. The forms you got have the name of the type of restraining order listed on them.
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
If you already changed your name and need a copy of a court order, contact the court where your case was filed.
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
This guide explains the eviction process (called unlawful detainer) for residential evictions only. It includes steps for:
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
There are a number of resources that may be able to help you with free and low-cost legal help
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
In most cases, you have to pay a fee to file papers with the court. If you can’t afford court fees, you can ask the court for a fee waiver.
California Courts referrals to tenant-rights guidance, local legal information, housing resources and the appropriate state agencies.
Service area: Shared California statewide tenant information and official resource referrals; local laws and individual eligibility vary. Area details & sources
California Courts resource referral; confirm the services offered by the actual local court
Each court has a self-help center that offers free legal information. Find out from your local court what type of services they offer.
The California Attorney General’s information about renter protections, habitability, lockouts, discrimination and other landlord/tenant issues. Statutory exceptions and local rules affect protections.
Service area: Shared California statewide tenant information and official resource referrals; local laws and individual eligibility vary. Area details & sources
DOJ guidance on checking additional local tenant protections; no determination that a particular tenancy is covered
In addition to the statewide requirement that landlords have just cause before evicting a tenant, local laws may offer additional protections to residential tenants. Tenants and landlords should consult local resources to see whether their city or county has rules that may offer additional tenant protections.
DOJ referral for unresolved housing-condition concerns; contact the actual local code-enforcement or health authority
If a landlord refuses to make repairs, tenants should contact their local code enforcement office or local health department. Cities or counties may also have their own rent board or rent control program that deals with building health and safety.
As a tenant, knowing your rights is critical. Under California law, residential tenants are protected from certain rent increases and may be protected from certain types of evictions.
The Department of Real Estate’s official landing page for the 2026 California Tenants guide, with English and Spanish document links.
Service area: Shared California statewide tenant information and official resource referrals; local laws and individual eligibility vary. Area details & sources
DRE landing-page description of its informational guide
This guide is intended for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.
California Civil Rights Department information on fair-housing protections, reasonable accommodations, prohibited retaliation and housing-discrimination resources.
Service area: Shared California statewide tenant information and official resource referrals; local laws and individual eligibility vary. Area details & sources
Current Civil Rights Department fair-housing information; the webpage lists the complete protected characteristics and applicable exceptions
The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) is responsible for enforcing state fair housing laws that make it illegal to discriminate against or harass someone because of a protected characteristic, such as their gender, race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion.