Do I need a local form to file a civil complaint in San Diego County?

No county-specific form is required. The Civil Case Cover Sheet (CM-010), Summons (SUM-100), and complaint are the filing set.

What must be served with the summons in San Diego County?

The summons, complaint, and cover sheet plus Notice of Case Assignment (SDSC CIV-721), ADR Information Package (SDSC CIV-730), ADR Stipulation (SDSC CIV-359), E-Filing Requirements Notice (SDSC CIV-409).

Filing a civil complaint in San Diego County, California: what the clerk requires

Where to file

Central Division - Hall of Justice (Civil Business Office)330 West Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101Limited and unlimited civil (incl. collections) for Central, East and South County zip codes (Local Rule 1.2.2(E): East and South included in Central for civil). Unlawful detainer for all divisions (Rule 2.4.2(A)).

North County Division325 South Melrose Drive, Vista, CA 92081Limited and unlimited civil for North County zip codes (zip list ADM-254).

What San Diego County requires with the complaint

Beyond the statewide Civil Case Cover Sheet (CM-010), Summons (SUM-100), and your complaint.

No county-specific form is required with a new civil complaint in San Diego County. The statewide set (Civil Case Cover Sheet CM-010, Summons SUM-100, and the complaint) is what the clerk expects.

Checked against the court's local rules and forms pages on 2026-10-09.

What to serve with the summons

Notice of Case Assignment (SDSC CIV-721)
ADR Information Package (SDSC CIV-730)
ADR Stipulation (SDSC CIV-359)
E-Filing Requirements Notice (SDSC CIV-409)

Official copies: Alternative Dispute Resolution Information (SDSC CIV-730) · Stipulation to Use Alternative Dispute Resolution Process (SDSC CIV-359)

What filers get caught by here

Mandatory e-filing for attorneys in all limited/unlimited/complex civil since 4/15/2021 (Local Rule 2.1.4); self-represented optional.
Serve all defendants and file proofs within 60 days (Rule 2.1.5); reviewed at initial CMC.
Pseudonymous plaintiffs need prior court order and redacted/unredacted complaints (Rule 2.1.2(F)).
Gov. Code 6103 fee-exempt parties must state exemption upper-right of first page (Rule 2.1.2(H)).
Courtesy copies of e-filed ex parte applications to department by noon the court day before (Rule 2.1.4).

What SimpleCase generates for a San Diego County filing

From one uploaded complaint, reviewed on one screen before anything downloads.

CM-010 Civil Case Cover Sheet
SUM-100 Summons
POS-010 Proof of Service (Personal)

See it on a San Diego County case

A sample case is waiting with this county's forms. No credit card, first three cases free.

Try it with a San Diego County sample

SimpleCase prepares document drafts for attorney review; it is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by using it. Court data on this page is sourced from the 1Court Directory with the verification date shown, and statutes and court rules change: always confirm current requirements, deadlines, and fees with the clerk of the court before filing.