San Mateo County eFiling

San Mateo County California

San Mateo County is located in the San Francisco Bay Area and is a major legal and economic center in Northern California. The San Mateo County Superior Court has implemented mandatory electronic filing (eFiling) for attorneys in several case types to streamline court operations and improve efficiency.



Does San Mateo County Superior Court require eFiling?

Yes. eFiling is mandatory for attorneys in San Mateo County for the following case types:

Case Types With Mandatory eFiling

  • Civil
  • Complex Civil
  • Small Claims
  • Family Law (mandatory since January 21, 2020)
  • Probate (mandatory since January 21, 2020)


Criminal Case eFiling Requirements

As of June 1, 2020, attorneys, justice partners, and bail bond companies are required to eFile all subsequent documents in Criminal cases.


eFiling for Self-Represented Litigants

Self-represented litigants are not required to eFile, but are encouraged to use eFiling whenever eligible to benefit from faster processing and electronic confirmation.


How to eFile in San Mateo County

To submit documents electronically, filers must register with a court-approved Electronic Filing Service Provider (EFSP) authorized by the San Mateo County Superior Court.


Note: eFiling requirements and eligibility may vary by case type and filer status.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is eFiling mandatory in San Mateo County?

    Yes, eFiling is mandatory for most civil cases, except for small claims and certain family law matters.

  • Which case types are eligible for eFiling?

    Civil, probate, and some family law cases are eligible. Criminal and small claims cases must be filed in person.

  • How do I get started with eFiling?

    You need to sign up with an approved Electronic Filing Service Provider (EFSP) and follow the court’s submission guidelines.

  • What file format is required for eFiled documents?

    Documents must be in a text-searchable PDF format. Some submissions, such as proposed orders, may need to be in Word format.

  • What is the deadline for same-day filing?

    Documents filed before 11:59 PM will be considered filed that day, but processing will occur during business hours.

  • Can I file multiple documents in a single submission?

    Yes, multiple documents can be included, but they must be clearly labeled and properly formatted.

  • What should I do if my eFiling is rejected?

    You will receive an email with the reason for rejection. You must correct the issue and resubmit your filing.

  • Can I eFile documents that require a judge’s signature?

    Yes, but proposed orders and other judge-signed documents must be labeled appropriately and submitted in the required format.

  • Are electronic signatures accepted for eFiled documents?

    Yes, electronic signatures are generally accepted, but some filings may require a wet signature.

  • Does eFiling automatically serve the other party?

    No, eFiling does not include service of process. You must arrange for service separately unless using an EFSP that offers eService.

  • How long does it take for the court to process eFiled documents?

    Processing times vary but generally take 1-3 business days. Ex parte and urgent filings may be expedited.

  • Can I eFile a motion that requires a hearing date?

    Yes, but you may need to schedule the hearing separately through the court’s online system or by contacting the clerk.

  • Are there size limits for eFiled documents?

    Yes, there may be file size restrictions. Large documents should be split into multiple labeled PDFs if necessary.

  • Can I eFile fee waiver requests?

    Yes, fee waiver applications can be submitted electronically along with your main filing.

  • Where can I get help with eFiling issues?

    Contact your EFSP for technical support or the San Mateo County Superior Court clerk for case-specific questions.