Kern Superior Court Filing Timing and Cure Windows

CRITICAL

All requested and relevant jury instructions must be submitted to the court by 9:00 a.m. on the first assigned trial date.

(c) All requested and relevant jury instructions shall be submitted to the court no later than 9:00 a.m. on the date first assigned for trial.

CRITICAL

All ex parte applications or petitions and supporting paperwork must be filed by noon on the court day before the hearing.

and all applications/petitions and supporting paperwork must be filed with the Court no later than 12:00 p.m. the court day prior to the scheduled hearing.

CRITICAL

Copies of all papers for an ex parte hearing must be filed by noon on the court day before the hearing.

Copies of all papers to be presented at the hearing must be filed with the Court no later than 12:00 p.m. the court day prior to the scheduled hearing.

CRITICAL

A document deposited in a drop box by 8:00 A.M. on October 6, 2025 will be deemed filed that day.

In compliance with California Rule of Court, Rule 2.210, a document will be deemed filed that day if it is deposited in a drop box by no later than 8:00 A.M . on Monday, October 6, 2025.

CRITICAL

The clerk must reject a bail-review motion lacking proof of timely service on the Kern County Probation Department.

The clerk of the court shall reject any motion that does not contain proof of timely service on the Kern County Probation Department.

CRITICALCriminal cases

The clerk must reject a bail-review motion that lacks proof of timely service on the Kern County Probation Department.

The clerk of the court shall reject any motion that does not contain proof of timely service on the Kern County Probation Department.

CRITICAL

Misdemeanor case filings are accepted Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

All misdemeanor cases filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Kern, will be presented at the Criminal Division/Counter of the appropriate Court Division. Filings are accepted Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

CRITICAL

Deadline

2 court days

Documents intended to resolve probate examiner’s notes must be filed by 9:00 a.m. two court days before the hearing, or the court may not consider them and may continue the matter.

Any documents submitted to resolve examiner’s notes shall be filed by 9:00 a.m. two court days prior to the hearing date, or they may not be considered by the court, and the matter may be continued.

CRITICAL

Noncompliant fax filings are rejected, and the filing party is responsible for proper facsimile transmission.

(b) Fax filings not in compliance with applicable rules will not be accepted for filing by the court. The proper transmission of a document facsimile is the responsibility of the filing party, not the court.

CRITICAL

All motions, including motions in limine, must be submitted in writing to the court by 9:00 a.m. on the first assigned trial date.

(d) All motions, including motions in limine, shall be submitted in writing to the court no later than 9:00 a.m. on the date first assigned for trial.

CRITICAL

All required ex parte hearing paperwork must be returned to the court clerk by noon on the court day before the hearing.

All required paperwork for the Ex-Parte hearing shall be returned to the court clerk by 12:00 noon the court day before the scheduled hearing.

CRITICAL

Fax filings received after 5:00 p.m. or on a court holiday are deemed filed the next court day.

(a) Fax filings delivered and/or received after 5:00 p.m. or on Court Holidays shall be deemed filed on the next court day.

CRITICAL

Electronic documents filed from midnight through 11:59:59 p.m. are deemed filed that business day, while documents filed on a non-court day are deemed filed the next court day.

(d) Electronic documents filed between 12:00 a.m. and 11:59:59 p.m. shall be deemed filed on that business day pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 1010.6(b)(3). Any document that is filed electronically on a non-court day shall be deemed filed on the next court day.

CRITICAL

A document deposited in any Court-authorized Kern County Superior Court drop box by 4:00 p.m. on a court day is deemed filed that day.

In compliance with California Rules of Court, Rule 2.210, a document will be deemed filed that day if deposited in the drop box by 4:00 p.m. on a court day. This applies to all Court authorized drop boxes located at each Kern County Superior Court location.

CRITICALCivil cases

In unlawful detainer cases held for processing, plaintiffs seeking summons issuance or default must submit Form UD-101 with any future filing.

Plaintiffs seeking issuance of a summons or request for entry of default in a case that has been held for processing must submit Form UD-101 with any future filing.

CRITICALCivil cases

For new unlawful detainer actions filed after October 9, 2020, Form UD-101 must accompany the complaint or the complaint will be rejected.

For any new unlawful detainer action filed after October 9, 2020, plaintiff must file this form with their complaint, or the complaint will be rejected.

CRITICAL

A copy of the ex parte hearing paperwork must be submitted to the Clerk’s Office by noon on the court day before the hearing.

A copy of the paperwork for the Ex Parte hearing shall be submitted to the Clerk’s Office by 12:00 p.m. the court day before the scheduled hearing.

CRITICAL

After granting a motion to modify or terminate a protective order, the Court must expedite filing and entry of the Restraining Order After Hearing form for transmittal and/or entry into CLETS.

The Court shall, upon granting a motion to modify or terminate the protective order, expedite the filing and entry of Restraining Order After Hearing form for transmittal and/or entering into CLETS in accordance with statutory authority and timelines.

CRITICAL

For an ex parte matter, notice must be provided to all parties by 10:00 a.m. and the application and supporting papers must be filed by noon on the preceding court day.

Notice must be provided to all parties no later than 10:00 a.m. on the court day prior to the scheduled hearing, in accordance with California Rule of Court, rule 3.1203(a)(b), and all applications/petitions and supporting paperwork must be filed with the Court no later than 12:00 p.m. the court day prior to the scheduled hearing.

WARNING

The clerk may reject deficient electronic filings under California Rule of Court 2.259.

Nothing in this rule shall limit the clerk’s ability to reject deficient filings in accordance with California Rules of Court, rule 2.259.

WARNING

If SharePoint becomes unavailable, the Clerk's Office will promptly notify the Probation Department.

If the SharePoint system becomes unavailable, the Clerk's Office will promptly notify the Probation Department.

WARNING

Hearing dates are requested when the relevant motion or request is submitted and are assigned by the court.

Hearing dates are obtained at the time of the submission of motions, including, but not limited to Orders to Show Cause, Notices of Motion, or Requests for Order. Hearing dates are assigned by the Court.

WARNING

An attorney or representative may notify the court of a late appearance using the website form, completed and submitted before 8:20 a.m. on the scheduled appearance day; emergencies after 8:20 a.m. may be reported by phone.

In order to notify the court that an attorney will be late for a court appearance, the attorney or his or her representative may use the notification system on the Kern County Superior Court website at www.kern.courts.ca.gov. A link to the “Attorney Late Form” appears under the “Online Services” tab. The form must be completed in its entirety and submitted prior to 8:20 a.m. on the morning of the scheduled appearance. Unforeseen emergencies after 8:20 a.m. may be reported to the Court by calling (661) 610-6244.

INFO

The court’s confirmation that a filing was received verifies the filing.

The Court’s confirmation of filing constitutes verification of filing, as described in California Rules of Court, rule 2.259.

CRITICAL

An attorney must pre-clear and reserve a Probate Department law-and-motion hearing date by calling the Probate Department, then file the motion and pay the filing fee within three days of reservation or the hearing date expires.

All law and motion matters will be heard pursuant to applicable courtroom schedules. Hearing dates for regularly noticed law and motion proceedings in the Probate Department that are filed by 110 ===== PAGE 112 ===== SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF KERN attorneys shall be pre-cleared and reserved by calling the Probate Department at (661) 610-6901. All motions that are pre-cleared and reserved must be filed, and the motion filing fees paid within three (3) days of the date that the reservation is made. Failure to pay the filing fee and file the moving papers timely will result in the expiration of the reserved hearing date.

CRITICAL

February 24, 2023 is treated as a holiday for computing filing deadlines if emergency conditions substantially interfered with the public's ability to file papers at a court facility.

1. For purposes of computing time for filing papers with the Court under Code of Civil Procedure sections 12 and 12a, February 24, 2023 is deemed a holiday if the emergency conditions described in the Order have substantially interfered with the public’s ability to file papers in a court facility on that date (Gov. Code, § 681 15(a)(4));

CRITICAL

Deadline

30 calendar days

After a misdemeanor or infraction dismissal petition is accepted for filing, the KCDA and KCPD have 30 calendar days to respond; if neither responds, the petition may be deemed meritorious and granted without a hearing.

Once a petition has been accepted for filing, the KCDA and the KCPD have 30 calendar days to respond. After 30 days, the petition and any response from the KCDA or the KCPD will be forwarded to the assigned Judicial Officer for review and orders. If neither the KCDA nor the KCPD file any response, the petition for dismissal may be deemed meritorious and granted without a hearing.

CRITICAL

When the Court directs a party to prepare and file a judgment, the party must do so within 20 days of being ordered to do so and must first serve the proposed judgment on opposing party for approval as to form and content.

When the Court directs a party to prepare and file a judgment, the party must do so within 20 days of being ordered to do so and must first serve the proposed judgment on opposing party for approval as to form and content.

CRITICAL

Deadline

10 court days

Unless law or an order provides otherwise, motions must be filed and served no later than 10 court days before the motion hearing.

Except as otherwise provided by law or order shortening or lengthening time, motions must be filed and served no later than ten (10) court days before the hearing on the motion.

CRITICAL

A judge may extend by no more than one day the duration of a temporary restraining order that would otherwise expire on February 24, 2023 when emergency conditions prevented proceedings on whether a permanent order should issue.

3. Any judge of the Court may extend by not more than 1 day the duration of any l temporary restraining order that would otherwise expire on February 24, 2023, because the 24 emergency condition described in the Order prevented the Court from conducting proceedings to determine whether a permanent order should be entered (Gov. Code, § 681 15(a)(7));

CRITICAL

Unless the court orders otherwise, a temporary-guardianship petition must be set for hearing within 30 days after filing.

Unless otherwise ordered by the court, a Petition for Appointment of Temporary Guardian shall be set for hearing within 30 days of the date of filing.

CRITICAL

The party requesting a jury must post jury fees and, if desired, court reporter fees no later than five days before the first assigned trial date.

(a) Jury fees and court reporter’s fees, if a court reporter is desired, shall be posted by the party requesting a jury not later than five (5) days prior to the date first assigned for trial.

CRITICAL

A request for stenographic recording must be made in writing at least five days before the case is first set for trial.

Any request for stenographic recording shall be made in writing not less than five (5) days prior to the date the case is first set for trial.

CRITICAL

Deadline

3 calendar days

Proof of service must be filed with the Clerk of the Court at least three calendar days before the scheduled court date, or the matter will be removed from the court calendar.

In cases in which there is no proof of service filed with the Clerk of the Court at least three (3) calendar days prior to the scheduled court date, the matter shall be removed from the court calendar by the Clerk of the Court.

CRITICAL

The plaintiff must request to set the case for trial within 25 days after filing the complaint unless a default-judgment request or dismissal request has already been filed.

(a) Within twenty-five (25) days of the date of filing of the complaint, the plaintiff shall file a request to set for trial unless a request for entry of default judgment or request for dismissal has been filed.

CRITICAL

Deadline

10 calendar days

Original documents for the specified filings must be lodged at least 10 days before the hearing.

However, originals must be lodged at least ten (10) days before any hearing on the matter.

CRITICAL

A request for entry of default must be made within 45 days after filing the action unless an answer or other response has been filed or the action has been dismissed or finally disposed of.

(a) Request for entry of default shall be made within forty-five (45) days of the date of filing of the action unless an answer or other response has been filed, or the action is dismissed or finally disposed of in its entirety.

CRITICAL

For an applicable criminal-trial deadline that would otherwise expire on February 24, 2023, a judge may extend the statutory time period by no more than one day.

5. Any judge of the Court may extend the time period provided in section 1382 0f the Penal Code for the holding of a criminal trial by not more than 1 day, applicable only to cases in which the statutory deadline otherwise would expire on February 24, 2023 (Gov. Code, § 68115(a)(10)).

CRITICAL

Deadline

5 court days

The submission-based informal arraignment option must be used no later than five court days before the defendant's in-court appearance.

This informal arraignment option can be utilized no later than five (5) court days before the defendant’s in-court appearance date.

CRITICAL

Within six months after entry of a default judgment for possession only, the plaintiff must set a default hearing for money damages or submit the declaration required by Code of Civil Procedure section 585(b) and (d).

(b) Plaintiff shall, within six (6) months of entry by the clerk of a default judgment for possession of the premises only, set the case for a default hearing for judgment for money damages, or shall submit a declaration pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 585(b) and (d).

CRITICAL

February 24, 2023 is treated as a holiday for computing Penal Code section 825 deadlines if the emergency conditions prevent the court from conducting necessary proceedings that day.

2._ For purposes of computing time under Penal Code section 825, February 24, 2023 is deemed a holiday if the emergency conditions described in the Order prevent the court from conducting proceedings on that date as necessary t0 satisfy these deadlines (Gov. Code, § 68115(a)(5));

CRITICAL

For an applicable preliminary-examination deadline that would otherwise expire on February 24, 2023, a judge may extend the statutory period from 10 court days to no more than 11 court days.

4. Any judge of the Court may extend the time period provided in section 859b of the Penal Code for the holding of a preliminary examination from 10 court days to not more than IMPLEMENTATION ORDER RE ENIERGENCY ORDER -1

CRITICAL

Deadline

10 calendar days

A fee-waiver party requesting an official court reporter must file Judicial Council Form FW-020 at least ten calendar days before the trial or evidentiary hearing.

If a party has been granted a fee waiver, the party may request that the court provide an official reporter for attendance at the proceedings. To request a court reporter, the party with a fee waiver must file Judicial Council Form FW-020 at least ten calendar days prior to the trial or evidentiary hearing.

CRITICAL

A request for a poststorage hearing must be made within 10 days of the impounding agency’s notice of impoundment.

(a) A request for a poststorage hearing pursuant to Vehicle Code section 14602.7 by an owner or owner’s agent to determine the validity of vehicle storage must be made within 10 days of the date of the impounding agency’s notice of the impoundment.

CRITICAL

A motion to set aside a default judgment must use appropriate legal forms, be presented to the court, and have fees paid within 30 days after entry of the judgment.

Appropriate legal forms for such motion must be prepared and presented to the court, with fees paid, within thirty (30) days from the date the default judgment is entered.

CRITICALCivil cases

CASA must file and serve a Notice of Assignment on all parties within five business days after assigning the selected EH-CASA, identifying the advocate and the basis for the assignment.

Within five business days after the assignment of the selected EH-CASA, CASA shall file with the Court and serve on all parties a Notice of Assignment Pursuant to Standing Order Number 18-____ in the affected proceeding that contains the name of the selected EH-CASA and describes the assignment as having been made pursuant to this order.

CRITICAL

The court must set the case for trial no later than 20 days after the memorandum to set the case for trial is filed and must provide notice under Code of Civil Procedure section 594.

(b) The case will be set for trial not more than twenty (20) days after the date of filing of the memorandum to set the case for trial. The court shall give notice of trial in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure section 594.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Arbitration award

An Arbitration Award must be filed with the court within 10 days after arbitration is completed or by the 90th day after assignment, whichever applies.

(e) Within ten (10) days of completion of the arbitration or the 90th day from the date of assignment file an Arbitration Award with the court.

CRITICAL

When a jury is demanded, the clerk must set a case management conference within 10 days after the request to set the case for trial is filed.

(c) If a jury is demanded, the clerk shall, in addition to the trial date, set the case for a case management conference within ten (10) days of the date of filing of the request to set for trial.

CRITICAL

After conversion to an ordinary civil action, the plaintiff has 30 days to file an amended complaint, and the dismissal show-cause order must be heard 45 days after conversion.

Plaintiff shall thereafter have thirty (30) days within which to file an amended complaint, and the case shall be set for an order to show cause re dismissal to be heard forty-five (45) days following conversion of the action to an ordinary civil action.

CRITICAL

At least five (5) days prior to any final case management conference set in advance of the day of trial but no less than fifteen (15) days prior to the date the matter is set for trial each party shall serve on every other party and submit to the court the following:

At least five (5) days prior to any final case management conference set in advance of the day of trial but no less than fifteen (15) days prior to the date the matter is set for trial each party shall serve on every other party and submit to the court the following:

CRITICAL

Deadline

1 calendar days

When trial is estimated to exceed one day, the requesting party must post jury fees and any desired court reporter fees by close of business before each subsequent scheduled trial day.

(b) If the estimated time for trial exceeds one (1) calendar day, for each subsequent day of trial, the jury fees and court reporter’s fees, if a reporter is desired, shall be posted by the party requesting the jury trial, by the close of business the day before the next scheduled trial date.

CRITICAL

The certificate of progress in an uninsured motorist case is due every 90 days.

Cases classified as uninsured motorist will be placed on a review calendar and plaintiff will file a certificate of progress every 90 days advising the court of the status of his claim against his insurer and the progress of the arbitration proceeding, if any.

CRITICAL

Deadline

20 calendar days

Court reporters must submit required appeal billing no later than 20 calendar days after the transcripts are completed.

In order to allow the court to process timely refunds to parties to an appeal in accordance with California Rules of Court, rules 8.130(f)(3) and 8.834(d)(3), court reporters must submit their billing as required by these rules no later than 20 calendar days after the transcripts are completed.

CRITICAL

For computing time to file court papers, February 22–23, 2023 are deemed holidays if emergency conditions substantially interfered with the public's ability to file at a court facility.

For purposes of computing time for filing papers with the Court under Code of Civil Procedure sections 12 and 12a, February 22, 2023, to February 23, 2023, inclusive, are deemed holidays if the emergency conditions described in the Order have substantially interfered with the public's ability to file papers in a court facility on those dates (Gov. Code, § 68115(a)(4));

WARNING

When the court orders preparation of a judgment, it also schedules an order-to-show-cause hearing on entry of judgment; no appearance is required if the approved judgment is received before that hearing.

At the time the Court orders the preparation of the judgment, it will also schedule an order to show cause regarding the entry of judgment. If the approved judgment is received before this hearing, no appearance is required.

WARNING

Deadline

3 court days

The Jurisdictional Report is due at least three court days before the hearing.

The Jurisdictional Report shall be admissible as provided in Welfare and Institutions Code section 355 and is due within a reasonable time before the hearing, but at least three (3) court days before the hearing.

WARNING

Deadline

10 calendar days

Dependency status and status review reports are due at least 10 calendar days before the hearing.

Review of Dependency Status and Status Review Reports are due at least 10 calendar days before the hearing.

WARNING

If the opposing party files objections to the proposed judgment within ten days of service, the opposing party may prepare and submit a proposed judgment to the Court, along with proof of service on the other party.

If the opposing party files objections to the proposed judgment within ten days of service, the opposing party may prepare and submit a proposed judgment to the Court, along with proof of service on the other party.

WARNING

The court may permit an FLCM Notice to be filed outside the 60-day period.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with the permission of the Court, the FLCM Notice may be filed at any time.

WARNING

Deadline

10 calendar days

Expert names and copies of their reports, when not included in the DHS social study report, must be provided to all counsel at least 10 calendar days before the hearing.

The names of any experts to be called by any party and copies of their reports, if not part of a Social Study Report prepared by DHS, shall be provided to all counsel at least 10 calendar days before the hearing.

WARNING

Failure to timely file and serve the case management statement waives objections to actions taken at the conference, including trial setting, judicial arbitration, or a mandatory settlement conference.

Failure to timely file and serve a case management statement constitutes a waiver of any objection to action taken by the court at the case management conference, including setting the case for trial, ordering the case to judicial arbitration, or setting a mandatory settlement conference.

WARNING

Deadline

60 calendar days

Either party may serve and file an FLCM Notice within 60 days after the petition or post-judgment modification is filed, or within 60 days after the response is filed.

Either party shall have the right to serve and file the FLCM Notice within 60 days of filing a petition or a post-judgment modification in a family law action or 60 days after a response to a petition or a post-judgment modification has been filed.

WARNING

Professional providers already on the list must submit Form FL-324(P) during the first week of January each year.

The FL-324(P) must be submitted in the first week of January each year for professional providers already included on the list.

WARNING

Deadline

48 hours

The dispositional report or social study is due at least 48 hours before the disposition hearing.

The Dispositional report/social study is due at least 48 hours before the disposition hearing is set.

INFO

All other reports are due a reasonable number of days before the hearing.

All other reports shall be due a reasonable number of days before the hearing.