Gordon D. Schaber Courthouse
Address: 720 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
The Gordon D. Schaber Courthouse is the main courthouse for Sacramento County and the hub for most civil matters. Located in downtown Sacramento between G Street and H Street, this is the courthouse most attorneys, paralegals, and self-represented litigants will visit most frequently.
What Gets Filed Here
Unlimited civil cases (disputes over $35,000)
Limited civil cases (disputes of $35,000 or less)
Small claims cases
General civil motions and hearings
Unlawful detainer (eviction) cases
Civil harassment restraining orders
Probate matters
If you are filing a civil complaint, a proof of service for a civil case, or any motion in a civil matter, this is where you go. The civil clerk’s office handles filings on the first floor.
Filing Hours
The clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Lines are typically longest first thing in the morning and right after the lunch hour. Mid-morning (around 10:00 a.m.) and mid-afternoon (around 2:00 p.m.) tend to be the least crowded times.
Parking
Parking downtown is the biggest headache at this location. Street metered parking is available on surrounding blocks but fills up quickly, especially on weekdays. Several parking garages are within walking distance — the garage on 10th Street between G and H is one of the closest options. Budget extra time for parking if this is your first visit.
Carol Miller Justice Center
Address: 301 Bicentennial Circle, Sacramento, CA 95826
The Carol Miller Justice Center is located in the eastern part of Sacramento, off Highway 50 near Bradshaw Road. This courthouse primarily handles criminal and traffic matters.
What Gets Filed Here
Felony criminal cases
Misdemeanor criminal cases
Traffic violations and infractions
DUI cases
Criminal motions and hearings
If you need to file documents related to a criminal case or serve papers on a party in a criminal matter, this is the courthouse to visit. The Carol Miller Justice Center also handles traffic court, so if you are contesting a ticket or need to appear for a traffic violation, this is where that happens.
Filing Hours
The clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Traffic court days can be especially busy, so plan accordingly if you need to file documents on those days.
Parking
Parking at the Carol Miller Justice Center is significantly easier than downtown. The courthouse has a dedicated parking lot with free parking. Arrive early if you have a morning hearing, as the lot can fill up, but overflow parking is available nearby.
William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse
Address: 5321 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95820
The Ridgeway Courthouse handles all family law matters for Sacramento County. If your case involves divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence, paternity, or any other family law issue, this is your courthouse.
What Gets Filed Here
Divorce and legal separation
Child custody and visitation
Child support and spousal support
Domestic violence restraining orders
Paternity cases
Guardianship matters
Adoptions
All family law filings — petitions, responses, motions, proof of service documents, and declarations — are submitted to the clerk’s office at Ridgeway. If you are serving divorce papers and need to file the proof of service, this is where it goes.
Filing Hours
The clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Ridgeway Courthouse can be very busy, especially on hearing days. If you are only filing documents (not appearing for a hearing), try to arrive outside of peak hearing times to avoid the crowds.
Parking
The Ridgeway Courthouse has a parking lot adjacent to the building. Parking is free but can fill up on busy days. Stockton Boulevard also has some street parking available. The lot is generally manageable if you arrive before 9:00 a.m.
E-Filing Options
Sacramento County Superior Court offers electronic filing for many case types, which can save you a trip to the courthouse entirely. E-filing is available through approved Electronic Filing Service Providers (EFSPs).
Civil Cases
E-filing is available — and in many cases mandatory — for civil cases filed at the Gordon D. Schaber Courthouse. Represented parties (those with an attorney) are generally required to e-file. Self-represented litigants may choose to e-file or file in person.
Family Law Cases
E-filing is available for many family law documents filed at the Ridgeway Courthouse. Check the Sacramento Superior Court website for the current list of accepted document types. Some initial filings and certain sensitive documents may still require in-person filing.
Criminal and Traffic Cases
E-filing options for criminal and traffic matters at the Carol Miller Justice Center are more limited. Most criminal filings still require in-person submission. Check with the court for current availability.
How E-Filing Works
To e-file, you create an account with an approved EFSP, upload your documents, pay the filing fee electronically, and submit. The court reviews the filing and either accepts or rejects it, usually within one to two business days. Accepted filings receive a confirmation with a file stamp.
Tips for Filing at Sacramento County Courts
Bring the Right Number of Copies
When filing in person, bring the original document plus at least two copies — one for the court’s file and one for your records. For some documents, you may need additional copies (for example, if you need a conformed copy to serve on the other party). The clerk will stamp your copies as “filed” and return them to you.
Check Your Documents Before You Get in Line
Clerks will reject filings that are incomplete, improperly formatted, or missing required information. Review your documents carefully before you arrive. Make sure all required fields are filled in, signatures are in place, and any required attachments are included. Nothing is worse than waiting in a long line only to be turned away at the window.
Bring Payment
Filing fees vary by case type. Civil filing fees, family law filing fees, and motion fees all differ. Bring a check, money order, or confirm that the location accepts credit/debit cards. Cash is generally not accepted for filing fees. If you qualify for a fee waiver, bring your completed fee waiver request form (FW-001) with you.
Plan for Security
All Sacramento County courthouses have security screening at the entrance. Leave prohibited items in your car, be prepared to walk through a metal detector, and allow extra time for the screening process — especially during busy morning hours.
Process Server Courthouse Filing Service
If you do not want to deal with parking, lines, and filing logistics, Sacramento Registered Process Server offers a court filing service for Sacramento County courts. We file your documents at the appropriate courthouse — whether it is the Schaber Courthouse, the Carol Miller Justice Center, or the Ridgeway Courthouse — and deliver your conformed copies back to you.
This service is especially useful for attorneys and paralegals who need documents filed but cannot spare the time for a courthouse visit. We handle the trip, the line, and the filing — you get your stamped copies without leaving your office.
Court filing add-on: +$30
For process service clients, we can serve your documents and file the proof of service at the courthouse as part of a single job. No extra trips, no extra hassle.
Need Documents Filed or Served?
Whether you need process service, court filing, or both, Sacramento Registered Process Server covers all Sacramento County courthouses and knows the filing procedures at each location.
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Sacramento Registered Process Server handles document delivery throughout Sacramento County and Northern California. Submit your documents online and we handle the rest.