California Court Forms,
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Every form you need to file, serve, or respond — with plain-English descriptions. Official Judicial Council PDFs, organized and ready to download.
Civil Case — Starting a Lawsuit
6 formsThe foundational forms to initiate a civil case in California Superior Court.
The summons that starts a civil case
How this form works
What it is for
SUM-100 tells the defendant they are being sued and how long they have to respond. The court clerk issues it when the complaint is filed.
The response deadline
The defendant has 30 days after the summons is served to file a written response (CCP section 412.20). The notice on the form appears in both English and Spanish.
Serving it
The summons is served together with the complaint by an adult who is not a party to the case, and service is then proved on POS-010.
Common mistakes
Serving a copy the clerk never issued, leaving the "notice to the person served" section blank, or serving it without the complaint and the other papers the court requires.
Have us serve the summons →Proof of Service
4 formsAfter serving documents, file proof with the court showing how and when service was completed.
Proving the summons was served
How this form works
What it is for
POS-010 is the proof that the summons, complaint and any other papers listed on it were served on a defendant. It is filed with the court after service is complete.
What it records
Who was served, where, when and how: personal delivery, substituted service, service by mail with acknowledgment of receipt, or another method the law allows. The server signs it and, when a registered process server did the work, adds the county and registration number.
Why it matters
Until a valid proof of service is on file, the court has no record that the defendant was brought into the case, and the case cannot move forward against that defendant.
Common mistakes
Substituted service without the declaration of diligence describing the earlier attempts; the wrong capacity checked for a business defendant; and a list of documents served that does not match what was actually delivered.
Have us serve the summons →Serving papers by mail during a case
How this form works
What it is for
POS-030 proves that papers other than the summons were served by first-class mail, such as motions, notices or discovery responses sent to the other side after the case has started.
Who can sign it
The person who put the envelope in the mail. Under CCP section 1013a, that person must be over 18, not a party to the case, and a resident of or employed in the county where the mailing happened.
Deadlines change
Mail service adds five calendar days to most response deadlines when both addresses are in California, and ten when one is elsewhere in the United States (CCP section 1013).
Common mistakes
Using POS-030 for the summons and complaint, which it does not cover; leaving out the exact title of each document mailed; or having a party to the case sign it.
Have us serve and prove it →One proof for several people and methods
How this form works
What it is for
POS-040 proves service of papers other than the summons. A single form can cover service by mail, overnight delivery, fax, electronic service or personal delivery.
When it helps
When the same documents go to several attorneys or parties, each can be listed on the attachment (POS-040(P)) instead of filling out a separate proof for each one.
Common mistakes
Checking a service method that was not actually used; sending electronic service to an address other than the one on file for that person; and dates that do not match the envelope or transmission record.
Have us serve your documents →Hand delivery of papers during a case
How this form works
What it is for
POS-020 proves that papers other than the summons were delivered in person, either to the person or to the attorney's office.
Who can serve
An adult who is not a party to the case. The form records the name of the person served and the date, time and address of delivery.
Common mistakes
Using it for the summons (POS-010 is the form for that), leaving out the documents delivered, or signing before the delivery actually took place.
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Subpoenas
4 formsCompel witnesses to appear or obtain records from third parties.
Getting business records without a deposition
How this form works
What it is for
SUBP-010 asks a business to produce records, such as bank, medical or employment files, for a deposition, without anyone having to appear in person.
Consumer and employee records
When the records belong to a consumer or an employee, that person must be given notice before the subpoena is served on the business. For consumer records under CCP section 1985.3 (section 1985.6 covers employment records), the notice goes out at least five days before service on the custodian of records and at least ten days before the production date.
Common mistakes
Skipping or mistiming the consumer notice, describing the records too vaguely, and setting a production date that leaves no time for objections.
Have us serve it and collect the records →A witness who must appear and bring documents
How this form works
What it is for
SUBP-020 requires a witness to attend a deposition, testify and bring specified documents or things.
How it is served
A deposition subpoena is effective against a California resident when it is personally served (CCP section 2020.220). Personal service is what makes it binding.
Common mistakes
Using SUBP-020 when only records are needed (SUBP-010 is the form for that), leaving consumer notice out when personal records are requested, and serving too close to the deposition date.
Have us serve the subpoena →Discovery in California for an out-of-state case
How this form works
What it is for
SUBP-030 is the application used when a case is pending in another state and a party needs a subpoena for a deposition or records in California.
How it works
Under the Interstate and International Depositions and Discovery Act, the foreign subpoena is submitted to the clerk of the superior court in the county where the discovery will take place (CCP section 2029.300). The clerk then issues a California subpoena, which is served under California rules.
Common mistakes
Submitting it in a county other than the one where the discovery will happen, and serving the out-of-state subpoena itself instead of the California subpoena the clerk issues.
Have us file and serve it →📑 We prepare and serve subpoenas
On-Call Legal's team will prepare your subpoena, serve it, and obtain the records as your Deposition Officer.
Unlawful Detainer (Eviction)
4 formsLandlord-tenant eviction forms. Time-sensitive — strict deadlines apply.
Small Claims
3 formsFor disputes up to $12,500 (or $6,250 for businesses). No attorney required.
Judgments & Enforcement
3 formsWon your case? Enforce the judgment and collect what you're owed.
Family Law
8 formsDivorce, separation, custody, support, and other family law proceedings.
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Restraining Orders
5 formsForms to request emergency and long-term protection orders from California courts.
Probate
3 formsEstate administration, guardianship, and probate proceedings.
Name Change
4 formsOfficial California court forms for legally changing your name.
Discovery
5 formsInterrogatories, document requests, and admissions for the evidence-gathering phase of litigation.
General / Miscellaneous
3 formsCommonly needed forms that don't fit neatly into one category.
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- California Courts — Complete Forms Library — All 1,000+ Judicial Council forms
- California Courts Self-Help Center — Guides for common legal situations
- LA Superior Court — Local Forms — County-specific forms for LA courts
All forms are copies of the official California Judicial Council forms published by the California Courts. On-Call Legal provides them as a convenience. Forms are updated periodically — if a link doesn't work, visit courts.ca.gov/forms. This page does not constitute legal advice.