Where to File

Find the zip code or city name where the person or company you are suing lives or does business, or where the incident occurred.  The venue associated to the court location and address where your case should be filed are detailed in the Zip Code List (SDSC Form # ADM-254).

San Diego Superior Court Division Addresses:

Central Division*

Central Division*

East County Division

North County Division

South County Division

1100 Union Street
San Diego, CA 92101

330 W. Broadway
San Diego, CA 92101

250 E. Main Street
El Cajon, CA 92020

325 S. Melrose Drive
Vista, CA 92081

500 Third Avenue
Chula Vista, CA 91910

*Central Division includes several facilities.

The following table provides a non-exhaustive summary list of the exceptions to filing districts pursuant to San Diego Superior Court Local Rules (LR) or General Order. Refer to these rules and/or orders for more information.

CASE TYPE

SDSC RULE

EXCEPTIONS

Adoptions 6.2.1 Adoptions will be filed in Central or North County Divisions in accordance with the Zip Code List. For purposes of adoptions, East and South County Divisions are included in Central Division and Central refers to the Juvenile Court facility located at 2851 Meadow Lark Drive, San Diego, CA 92123.
Civil 1.2.2(E) For purposes of civil limited and unlimited cases (excluding civil harassment and elder or dependent adult abuse restraining orders), including collection actions, East and South are included in the Central Division, at the 330 West Broadway location, Room 225. For purposes of seeking civil harassment and elder or dependent adult abuse restraining orders, the applications should be filed in accordance with the Zip Code List.
Civil - Unlawful Detainer 2.4.2(A) For purposes of civil limited and unlimited unlawful detainer actions, East, North, and South are included in the Central Division, at the 330 West Broadway location, Room 225.
Civil - California Environmental Quality Cases (CEQA) 1.2.2(G) For purposes of CEQA cases, East and South County Divisions are included in Central Division. All other zip codes will be filed in accordance with the Zip Code List. (List of CEQA Judges)
Civil - Construction Defect 1.2.2(F) All cases primarily involving construction defect claims will be filed in Central or North Division through the court-approved e-Filing vendors. East and South County Divisions are included in Central Division.
Civil - False Claim Actions 1.2.2(D)(3) False claim actions will be filed in Central Division.
Criminal 1.2.2(H) Cases arising in Coronado will be filed in South County Division. Cases arising in Del Mar will be filed in North County Division. All other zip codes will be filed in accordance with the Zip Code List.
Criminal - Habeas Corpus and Error Coram Nobis Petitions 3.3.2 Petitions for writ of habeas corpus, error coram nobis, and subsequent pleadings will be filed in the location in which the underlying case was or is pending.  Petitions for an inmate at R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility concerning a condition of confinement will be filed in South Division.  Petitions challenging a parole eligibility finding will be filed as designated by the zip code of where the case was adjudicated.
Criminal - Indictments 1.2.2(D)(2) The return and filing of indictments will be filed in Central Division.
Family 5.1.5 Matters involving surrogacy and the Department of Child Support Services will be filed in the Central Division.
Juvenile - Justice (Delinquency) 1.2.2(K) All juvenile justice (delinquency) cases will be filed in Central Division. For purposes of these cases, Central refers to the Juvenile Court facility located at 2851 Meadow Lark Drive, San Diego, CA 92123.
Juvenile - Dependency 1.2.2(L) Juvenile dependency cases are filed pursuant to a separate list which is maintained by the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court.
Mental Health 1.2.2(D)(1) All mental health cases will be filed in Central Division.
Probate 4.1.2(A)  Probate documents may be filed in the Central or North County Division, but the case assignment will remain in Central. In limited case types, if a party resides in a North County zip code, hearings may be scheduled in the North County Division and heard via a video link to the Judicial Officer assigned to the case in the Central Division.
Small Claims 2.4.4(A) For purposes of Small Claims cases, East, North, and South are included in the Central Division at the 330 West Broadway location.
Traffic - Adult 1.2.2(I)

Cases arising in Coronado will be filed in South County Division. Cases arising in Del Mar will be filed in North County Division. All other zip codes will be filed in accordance with the Zip Code List. For purposes of Traffic cases, Central refers to the Kearny Mesa facility located at 8950 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92123.

Traffic - Juvenile 1.2.2(J) Traffic and minor offense violations charged against juveniles (under 18 years) will be filed in the Juvenile Court of the Central Division.  Exceptions listed in local rule 1.2.2(H) will be filed in the adult traffic and minor offense department of the respective court division.