Notice of Civil Fee Changes

The Judicial Council of California has announced that new, revised, and clarified civil fees will go into effect in the state’s trial courts effective January 1, 2008.

The new statewide fee schedule can be found on the California Courts Web site, the El Dorado Court Website, and is available at the clerk’s office in each court location. Information about applicable local fees and answers to specific questions can also be obtained at the clerk’s office.

In addition to establishing a number of new fees (e.g., amendments of small claims filings, amendments of complaints and cross-complaints, and writ petition in limited civil cases) and clarifying when no fees apply (e.g., filing an action to compel registration of voters), Assembly Bill 1248 (Chapter 738, Statutes of 2007) makes technical and clarifying changes to the Uniform Civil Fees and Standard Fee Schedule Act. This legislation streamlined and simplified civil fees by rolling the current varied surcharges and add-on fees into one filing fee. The changes in the court fees were designed to create statewide consistency in filing fees and to help ensure stable funding, while maintaining access and continuing a high level of public service in the California trial courts.

The Uniform Civil Fees and Standard Fee Schedule Act achieved the following:

• Streamlined and simplified civil fee structure. Various surcharges and add-on fees were rolled into one uniform civil filing fee.
• Uniformity. For the vast majority of fees, the same fees are being charged for the same services across all 58 counties.
• Increased access to the courts. Additional funding is being provided to equal access programs.
• Predictability. Court users know that fees will remain consistent from county to county.

Each superior court will begin collecting the new, revised, and clarified fees effective January 1, 2008.