Getting Ready for Your Court Hearing

Two Weeks Before

File all your documents with the Superior Court*

*Sending your documents to DCSS does NOT file them with the court.

1. Complete the court required Income and Expense Declaration Form

  • Attach last two months’ pay stubs and most recent tax return or W-2
  • If self-employed, attach most recent profit and loss statement and tax return with Schedule C.

2. Unable to appear in person? File the NOTICE OF REMOTE APPEARANCE (RA-010) Form 10 court days before the hearing.

3. Mail or drop off documents at the Court Business Office:

Dept. 802, 803, & 804

San Diego Superior Court
Central Courthouse
Family Support Division
1100 Union Street, 4th Floor
San Diego, CA 92101

Dept. 3

San Diego Superior Court
North County Regional Center
Family Support Division
325 South Melrose, 1st Floor,
Vista CA 92081

Or, e-File your documents:

Register or Sign in to Odyssey eFileCA

Need help preparing documents for e-filing? Help with document preparation and e-filing is available.

One Week Before

Pre-court Meeting By Phone or Video (Required by Court)

  • Morning court hearings: Meetings will be between 8 AM and 12 PM one week before the court date.
  • Afternoon court hearings: Meetings will be between 1 PM and 5 PM one week before the court date.

Please make sure DCSS has your current phone number and email address. Can’t make it to your meeting?

PLEASE CONTACT DCSS AT 866-901-3212 TO RESCHEDULE OR UPDATE YOUR INFO.

Day of Court

Check Your Paperwork to Find Your Court Department Number

Dept. 802, 803, or 3 hearings: All parties MAY appear remotely (video required)

Department 802

Department 803

Department 3

Dept. 804 hearings: All parties are REQUIRED to appear in person.

Disability Assistance

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If you require Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodation when going to court, please complete the MC-410 form.

More information on the court process or ADA accommodation is available on the Superior Court website. You may also email the court at ada@sdcourt.ca.gov or call 619-844-5675.

To speak with a child support case manager, call 866-901-3212.

For general disability assistance, contact our ADA coordinator, Laura Rodal, at 858-650-6436, or email CommunicationTeam@sdcounty.ca.gov.

If you require ADA accommodation when visiting our office, call our coordinator first, and notify the receptionist upon your arrival.

Scanning Documents Using Your Mobile Phone

VIDEO: Scanning with iPhone and Android

Process for Providing Ex Parte Notice to DCSS

Notice of an Ex Parte hearing may be given to the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) using any of the following:

  1. Personal Delivery: Deliver a copy of all ex parte hearing documents with the date and time of hearing to any local DCSS office. 
  2. Email Delivery: Email and attach (to make it valid) a copy of all ex parte hearing documents with the date and time of hearing at dcssexpartenotice@sdcounty.ca.gov. You will receive a confirmation email. 
  3. Telephonic Notice: Call DCSS at 866-901-3212 and provide the date, time, and relief requested for the ex parte hearing. Then give all ex parte hearing documents to DCSS by personal or email delivery as specified above. 

Ex Parte notice and requests for relief must comply with San Diego Family Law Local Rule 5.3.1

Electronic Service on DCSS

Email Service Address:

DCSSElectronicService@sdcounty.ca.gov

Parties may electronically serve* the County of San Diego Department of Child Support Services (DCSS), in cases where:

DCSS has previously appeared in the court action and

The document or notice could be served by mail, express mail, overnight delivery, or fax.

NOTE: Electronic service cannot be used for documents or notices that require personal service, or service by registered or certified mail.

If you have questions or wish to discuss your case, please contact your DCSS case manager at 866-901-3212, chat or meet virtually with us.

*As authorized under Code of Civil Procedure § 1010.6

Pre-Court Hearing Meeting (Meet and Confer)

Before your hearing, meet with a DCSS staff to discuss your case. If an attorney represents you, he/she must be present. At the meeting, you will: 

  • Discuss the case and provide any updated information. 
  • Try to reach an agreement regarding child support matters. If you reach an agreement, all parties will sign the agreement, and you will not need to go to court. 
  • If a full agreement can't be reached, you will appear in court.

The Court Hearing

The DCSS attorney presents the case to the court with each party’s position and any unresolved issues.

The Commissioner reviews the case and calculates support based on income and visitation time with the child(ren).

Based on the calculation and information provided, the Commissioner will make a judgment or order.

(NOTE: If the Commissioner feels that more information is needed, the hearing will be rescheduled to allow parties to return with the required information and the court to make a decision on the issues.)

Requesting a Continuance

If you will miss your hearing, contact DCSS as soon as possible. Also contact the other party to request their permission to continue the hearing.

There is no guarantee that the hearing will be continued. The court may proceed even though you are not there.