Where do I file a probate case in Los Angeles County?

All Los Angeles County probate cases are filed at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, regardless of where the decedent lived within the county. The Probate Division is centralized. E-filing is mandatory for represented parties; self-represented filers may still submit in person at Room 112 or by mail. The initial filing fee for a Petition for Probate is $435 (Cal. Gov. Code § 70650).

Do I need to notarize LA Superior Court filings?

Most California court filings do NOT require notarization. California courts use declarations under penalty of perjury (Code of Civil Procedure § 2015.5), which have the same legal effect as a notarized sworn statement. Exceptions include: Advance Health-Care Directives (AHCD), Powers of Attorney (statutory POAs), some guardianship consent forms, and out-of-state affidavits filed in California courts. Always check the specific form's instructions.

How much does it cost to file for a name change in LA County?

The filing fee for a Petition for Change of Name in LA Superior Court is $435 as of 2026 (Cal. Gov. Code § 70611). Additional publication costs typically run $80-200 depending on the newspaper. Cases are filed at the courthouse serving the petitioner's district — use LASC's Filing Court Locator at lacourt.ca.gov to confirm.

RESOURCE · SOURCED FROM LASC & JUDICIAL COUNCIL

LA Superior Court Filing Reference

Name: Los Angeles Superior Court Filing Reference
Creator: Mobile American Notary & Apostilles
Published: 2026-07-17
License: https://www.mobileamericannotary.com/

A public reference for the common Los Angeles Superior Court case types our clients most often deal with. For each case type: where to file, current fees, whether e-filing is available, and which forms typically need notarization. Sourced from lacourt.ca.gov and the 2026 Statewide Civil Fee Schedule. Not legal advice — see the disclaimer at the bottom.

Probate (Decedent's Estate) Notarization: rarely

Court-supervised administration of a deceased person's assets. All LA County probate cases are centralized at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse regardless of where the decedent lived — including Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Long Beach, and every other LA County city.

Filing Location

Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Room 112
111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles 90012

Primary Forms

DE-111 (Petition for Probate), DE-121 (Notice), DE-140 (Order)

Initial Filing Fee

$435 for estates under $250,000
Up to $935 for larger estates
Cal. Gov. Code § 70650

E-Filing

Mandatory for represented parties. Self-represented may file in person at Room 112 or by mail. Original will must still be lodged in paper.

Notarization

Court forms use declarations under CCP § 2015.5, not notarization. Notarization is only needed if a supporting affidavit is executed out-of-state.

Typical Timeline

10-14 months for simple estates. 14-22 months with real property. First hearing typically 6-8 weeks after filing.

Guardianship of a Minor Notarization: sometimes

Court appointment of a guardian for a minor child. Filed in the Probate Division. Both guardianship of the person and estate go through the same court.

Filing Location

Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Room 112
111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles 90012

Primary Forms

GC-210 (Petition for Guardianship of the Person), GC-220 (Estate), GC-140/141 (Consent & Waiver by parents)

Initial Filing Fee

$225 (Person only)
$435 (Estate)
$755 (Person & Estate)
Cal. Gov. Code § 70654-70655

Notarization

GC-211 (Consent of Proposed Guardian) does not need notarization. GC-140 Consent by Parent frequently is notarized when signed outside the court's presence, especially by out-of-state parents.

Additional Steps

Notice to relatives required. Court investigator interview. Background check for proposed guardian. Attend hearing.

Conservatorship of an Adult Notarization: sometimes

Court appointment of a conservator over an adult who cannot manage their own affairs. Filed in the Probate Division. Typically requires medical evidence, formal notice, and a court investigator.

Filing Location

Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Room 112
111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles 90012

Primary Forms

GC-310 (Petition for Appointment of Conservator), GC-312 (Confidential Supplemental Info), GC-320 (Notice), GC-340 (Order)

Initial Filing Fee

$435 (Person only)
$1,115 (Person & Estate)
Cal. Gov. Code § 70653

Notarization

Supporting declarations from out-of-state relatives or physicians frequently notarized. In-state declarations use § 2015.5 penalty-of-perjury language.

Timeline

First hearing typically 30-60 days after filing. Court investigator report required before hearing.

Name Change (Adult) Notarization: no

Petition for a legal name change. Files in the courthouse serving your district. Requires newspaper publication before the hearing.

Filing Location

Courthouse serving your district — use the LASC Filing Court Locator.

Primary Forms

NC-100 (Petition), NC-110 (Attachment), NC-120 (Order to Show Cause), NC-130 (Decree)

Initial Filing Fee

$435
Cal. Gov. Code § 70611

Publication Cost

$80-$200 depending on newspaper. Required for 4 consecutive weeks before hearing.

Notarization

Petition uses declaration under penalty of perjury — no notarization needed.

Timeline

Hearing usually set 8-12 weeks out. Bring the signed decree (NC-130) home the same day if uncontested.

Small Claims Notarization: no

Fast-track civil action for disputes up to $12,500 for individuals and $6,250 for businesses. Attorneys are not permitted at the initial hearing.

Filing Location

Courthouse serving the district where the defendant lives, does business, or where the incident occurred.

Primary Forms

SC-100 (Plaintiff's Claim), SC-104 (Proof of Service), SC-133 (Judgment)

Initial Filing Fee

$30 ($0-$1,500)
$50 ($1,501-$5,000)
$75 ($5,001-$12,500)
Cal. Gov. Code § 70613

E-Filing

Small claims e-filing available in LA County. Self-represented parties may still file at the clerk's window.

Notarization

Court forms use declarations under penalty of perjury. Proof of service by non-party can be a declaration.

Timeline

Hearing typically set 30-70 days out. Judgments issued the same day or by mail within a week.

Unlawful Detainer (Eviction) Notarization: no

Landlord's action to recover possession of real property. LA County unlawful detainers file at the courthouse serving the property location. Extremely time-sensitive — defendants have 5 days to respond after service.

Filing Location

Courthouse serving the property location — use the Filing Court Locator.

Primary Forms

UD-100 (Complaint), UD-101 (Cover Sheet), CP10.5 (Prejudgment Claim of Right to Possession)

Initial Filing Fee

$240 (rent under $10,000)
$385 ($10,001-$35,000)
$450 (over $35,000)
Cal. Gov. Code § 70614

E-Filing

Mandatory for represented landlords. Self-represented parties may file in paper.

Notarization

Not required for the complaint. Some three-day notices to quit are notarized as an evidentiary measure but California does not require it.

Timeline

Defendant has 5 court days to respond. Trial typically set 20-30 days after answer if contested.

Divorce / Family Dissolution Notarization: no

Legal dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership. Files in the Family Law division at the courthouse serving the petitioner's district.

Filing Location

Family Law division at the courthouse serving your district — use the Filing Court Locator.

Primary Forms

FL-100 (Petition), FL-110 (Summons), FL-115 (Proof of Service), FL-150 (Income & Expense Declaration)

Initial Filing Fee

$435
Cal. Gov. Code § 70670

E-Filing

Mandatory for represented parties. Self-represented may still file at the clerk's window.

Notarization

All family law petitions and declarations use CCP § 2015.5 penalty-of-perjury language, not notarization.

Waiting Period

Minimum 6 months from date of service of petition (Cal. Fam. Code § 2339).

Restraining Orders (DV, Civil Harassment, Elder Abuse) Notarization: no

Court orders protecting against domestic violence, civil harassment, elder or dependent adult abuse. Filed at the Restraining Order Center in Room 245 at Stanley Mosk, or at any branch courthouse's restraining order desk.

Filing Location

Stanley Mosk Restraining Order Center, Room 245, or any LASC branch's restraining-order desk. Same-day TRO possible if urgent.

Primary Forms

DV-100 (DV restraining order request), CH-100 (Civil harassment), EA-100 (Elder/dependent adult)

Initial Filing Fee

$0 (all restraining order petitions are fee-waived by statute)
Cal. Gov. Code § 68635(a)(6)

Notarization

Petitions use CCP § 2015.5 penalty-of-perjury language. Not notarized.

Timeline

Temporary order may issue same day. Full hearing typically within 21-25 days.

Power of Attorney & Advance Directives Notarization: yes (mostly)

These are NOT filed with the court — but they're the most common notarization we handle. A California statutory Power of Attorney or Advance Health-Care Directive is a private legal instrument that only requires notarization or 2 qualified witnesses to be valid.

Filing Requirement

Not filed with the court. Kept privately by the principal, agent, and their attorneys.

Primary Forms

CA Statutory Power of Attorney, Advance Health-Care Directive (Probate Code § 4700)

Execution Requirements

Statutory POA (Prob. Code § 4121): notarized OR signed by 2 qualified witnesses. AHCD (Prob. Code § 4673): notarized OR signed by 2 qualified witnesses (some restrictions on who can witness).

Notarization

Yes — most people choose to notarize rather than gather witnesses. Especially important if the POA will be used to transfer real property (which requires notarization for recording).

Recording

POAs used for real-estate transactions must be recorded with the County Recorder in the same county as the property.

Adoption Preliminaries Notarization: yes

Independent adoption, stepparent adoption, and adult adoption require notarized consents from biological parents (or predecessor adoptive parents). The consent form itself is a private document, though the adoption case is filed in court.

Filing Location

Adoption cases file at the courthouse serving the petitioner's district. Consent documents are private and don't get filed until the hearing.

Primary Forms

ADOPT-200 (Adoption Request), ADOPT-210 (Adoption Agreement), ADOPT-215 (Adoption Order)

Notarization

Consent to Adoption forms MUST be notarized when signed outside a court's or agency's presence. Out-of-state consents typically require notarization from the state where signed.

Initial Filing Fee

$20 for stepparent/domestic partner adoption; independent adoption fees vary — most stepparent adoptions include an investigation fee.

Related Service

Book a mobile notary for adoption consents — we handle these frequently including at hospitals for post-birth consents.

LA Superior Court Courthouse Directory

All 36 LASC courthouses. Use the official Filing Court Locator to confirm the correct courthouse for your specific case — assignments occasionally shift as the court rebalances dockets.

District	Courthouse	Address	Handles
Central	Stanley Mosk	111 N. Hill St., LA 90012	Civil unlimited, Probate (countywide), Family, Restraining Orders
Central	Spring Street	312 N. Spring St., LA 90012	PI Hub, Complex Civil, Appellate
Central	Metropolitan	1945 S. Hill St., LA 90007	Criminal, Traffic
Central	Foltz Criminal Justice Center	210 W. Temple St., LA 90012	Criminal (felony)
East	Pomona Courthouse South	400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona 91766	Civil, Family, Criminal — East SGV
East	El Monte	11234 E. Valley Blvd., El Monte 91731	Civil, Family, Criminal — West SGV
East	West Covina	1427 W. West Covina Pkwy., West Covina 91790	Civil, Family
North	Michael Antonovich Antelope Valley	42011 4th St. West, Lancaster 93534	Civil, Family, Criminal — AV region
North Central	Burbank	300 E. Olive Ave., Burbank 91502	Civil, Family — Burbank/Glendale
North Central	Glendale	600 E. Broadway, Glendale 91206	Traffic, small claims
North Central	Pasadena	300 E. Walnut St., Pasadena 91101	Civil, Family, Criminal — NE LA/San Gabriel
North Central	Alhambra	150 W. Commonwealth, Alhambra 91801	Traffic, small claims
North Valley	Chatsworth	9425 Penfield Ave., Chatsworth 91311	Civil, Family, Criminal — NW SFV
North Valley	San Fernando	900 Third St., San Fernando 91340	Civil, Family — North SFV
North Valley	Santa Clarita	23747 W. Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita 91355	Civil, Family, Criminal — SCV
Northwest	Van Nuys East	6230 Sylmar Ave., Van Nuys 91401	Civil, Family — South SFV
Northwest	Van Nuys West	14400 Erwin St. Mall, Van Nuys 91401	Criminal — South SFV
South	Governor George Deukmejian (Long Beach)	275 Magnolia, Long Beach 90802	Civil, Family, Criminal — South Bay/Long Beach
South Central	Compton	200 W. Compton Blvd., Compton 90220	Civil, Family, Criminal — Compton/Carson
Southeast	Norwalk	12720 Norwalk Blvd., Norwalk 90650	Civil, Family, Criminal — Southeast LA
Southeast	Bellflower	10025 E. Flower St., Bellflower 90706	Traffic
Southeast	Downey	7500 E. Imperial Hwy., Downey 90242	Traffic, small claims
Southeast	Whittier	7339 S. Painter Ave., Whittier 90602	Civil, Family
Southwest	Torrance	825 Maple Ave., Torrance 90503	Civil, Family, Criminal — South Bay
Southwest	Inglewood	1 Regent St., Inglewood 90301	Civil, Family — South-Central LA
West	Santa Monica	1725 Main St., Santa Monica 90401	Civil, Family, Criminal — Westside
West	Beverly Hills	9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills 90210	Civil, Family — Westside
West	LA Airport	11701 S. La Cienega Blvd., LA 90045	Civil, Traffic
West	Hollywood	5925 Hollywood Blvd., LA 90028	Criminal

Common LA Superior Court Filing Fees (2026)

Effective January 1, 2026. Fees are set by the California Legislature and updated by the Judicial Council. Additional surcharges and jury deposits may apply. See the full 2026 Statewide Civil Fee Schedule.

Filing Type	Fee
Unlimited civil complaint (over $35,000) Gov. Code § 70611	$435
Limited civil complaint ($10,001-$35,000) § 70613(a)	$370
Limited civil complaint ($10,000 or less) § 70613(b)	$225
Small claims ($0-$1,500) § 116.230(a)	$30
Small claims ($1,501-$5,000) § 116.230(b)	$50
Small claims ($5,001-$12,500) § 116.230(c)	$75
Unlawful detainer (rent under $10,000)	$240
Unlawful detainer ($10,001-$35,000)	$385
Petition for Probate § 70650	$435-$935
Petition for Guardianship of Person § 70654	$225
Petition for Guardianship of Estate § 70654	$435
Petition for Conservatorship (Person only)	$435
Petition for Conservatorship (Person & Estate)	$1,115
Petition for Change of Name § 70611	$435
Petition for Dissolution/Divorce § 70670	$435
Restraining Order (DV, CH, EA) petitions § 68635(a)(6)	$0 (fee waived by statute)
Stepparent Adoption	$20
Motion or Application (most types)	$60
Certified copy of court document	$40 + $0.50/page
Fee waiver application (FW-001) — no cost	$0

Need a Document Notarized for a Court Filing?

Most California court filings don't require notarization — but out-of-state affidavits, powers of attorney, and adoption consents typically do. We handle mobile notary services throughout LA, Orange, and Ventura counties, including hospital bedside and same-day appointments.

Call (213) 933‑2507

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Important: This reference is a public directory of court information sourced from the Superior Court of Los Angeles County and the Judicial Council of California. It is not legal advice, and we do not tell you which forms to file or how to complete them. Mobile American Notary & Apostilles is a Notary Public service — we are not attorneys, we do not practice law, and we cannot prepare legal documents. Court fees, forms, filing locations, and procedures change; always verify current requirements directly with the Court before submitting anything. For legal advice about your specific matter, consult a licensed California attorney. For self-help resources including free assistance from court staff, visit any LASC Self-Help Center (locations at lacourt.ca.gov/selfhelp).