What must be served with the summons in Santa Clara County?

The summons, complaint, and cover sheet plus Notice of Case Management Conference (CV-5012), ADR Information Package (CV-5003), Landlord/Tenant Assistance Programs Notice (CV-5102).

Filing a civil complaint in Santa Clara County, California: what the clerk requires

Q: Do I need a local form to file a civil complaint in Santa Clara County?

Yes. Santa Clara County requires Civil Lawsuit Notice (blank, submitted to clerk for completion); Civil Lawsuit Notice - Rule 3.740 Collections Cases (blank) with a new civil complaint, in addition to the statewide Civil Case Cover Sheet and Summons.

Where to file

Civil filing locations per Civil Local Rule 1(C), effective 2026-01-01.

Downtown Superior Court191 North First Street, San Jose 95113All limited and unlimited civil, unlawful detainer, and small claims

What Santa Clara County requires with the complaint

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

Civil Lawsuit Notice (blank, submitted to clerk for completion) (CV-5012 (Rev. 03/01/23))both limited and unlimited general civil (except non-CEQA writ of mandate). Local Civil Rule 1(D)(1) (eff. 1/1/2026): 'the filing party must submit a blank Civil Lawsuit Notice (CV-5012) to the clerk of the court for issuance of Judicial Assignment, Initial Court Hearing Date, Time, and Department with the filing of the new complaint. The Civil Lawsuit Notice will be completed and returned by the clerk only if one is provided by the filer.' court's form

Civil Lawsuit Notice - Rule 3.740 Collections Cases (blank) (CV-5052)limited collections cases designated under CRC 3.740. Local Civil Rule 1(D)(2).

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

What to serve with the summons

Notice of Case Management Conference (CV-5012)
ADR Information Package (CV-5003)
Landlord/Tenant Assistance Programs Notice (CV-5102)

Official copies: Civil Lawsuit Notice (CV-5012) · ADR Information Sheet (CV-5003)

What filers get caught by here

Civil Rule 6: represented parties must e-file per General Rule 6; self-represented not required (may consent via EFS-005-CV).
CEQA complaints must carry 'ACTION BASED ON CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT' under the title (Rule 1(D)(3)).
First CMC set ~180 days from filing (Rule 1(E)(2)); ADR Stipulation CV-5008 filed 30 days before CMC cancels CMC.
Paper filings over 10 pages held by binder clips; no tabs; exhibits separated by title sheets (Rule 6(B)).

What SimpleCase generates for a Santa Clara 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)
Civil Lawsuit Notice (Santa Clara County, CV-5012)

See it on a Santa Clara County case

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

Try it with a Santa Clara 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.