eSubmit and Remote Hearings in Riverside Family Law: Filing Online, the $2 Fee, Cut-Off Times and Appearing by Video

The court describes eSubmit as a way for customers “to electronically deliver documents in criminal, family law, probate, juvenile, traffic and appeals to the court securely via the Internet”¹. It is not available for civil, unlawful detainer or small claims cases, which use eFiling at $1.85 per electronic envelope¹².

The court’s eSubmit FAQ, last updated May 27, 2021, says the process “is not electronic filing but electronic submission merely intended to replace faxing” and that documents “will still need to be reviewed and processed by the court”³. It also says walk-in filing is still allowed³.

The court recommends 300 dpi³. The pages list no exemption from the $2 fee other than those restraining order filings, and do not say whether a fee waiver covers it. The filing fee or fee waiver is required at the time of submission⁶. For the filing fees themselves see Riverside County divorce filing fees.

The court’s list of documents not accepted via eSubmit, revised November 6, 2023, names Family Law Judgments, and also lists requests for intercountry adoptions, consents regarding termination of parental rights, original birth certificates, citations, writs, abstracts and bonds⁴. It does not say how those are to be submitted instead. Requests for records go through the court’s online request system or form RI-MC002⁴. The judgment packet is covered in finishing a divorce in Riverside County.

The court’s request for order instructions give these online steps⁶:

1. Complete and sign all forms. Electronically sign every signature line⁶.
2. Convert each document to a non-editable PDF within the 50 MB limit¹.
3. Submit up to 15 documents for one case on the eSubmit page of the court’s website¹³.
4. Pay the fee by credit card. The court determines the filing fees owed, then charges the transaction fee and filing fees together, and emails a receipt listing the documents filed and the fees charged³.

Sources disagree For emergency (ex parte) orders, Local Rule 5165(B) requires notice to the other side by 10:00 a.m. on the court day before, and says requests submitted by 2:00 p.m. are reviewed and either confirmed for hearing, granted on the papers or denied the same day⁸. The court’s ex parte instruction packet says to “File your documents by 12:00 PM the court day before your hearing,” including through eSubmit⁷. The rule is the binding text; the packet gives the earlier filing time. Domestic violence restraining order requests have their own rule, Rule 5141(A): issued or denied the same day if submitted by 2:00 p.m.⁸. The emergency process is in emergency custody orders in Riverside County.

The court says a case can be accessed by creating an account and logging into its Public Access Portal, with “Search Court Records” and “Court Calendars” pages, and that public viewing computers in the courthouses show case files, calendars and court records⁵.

The court uses Zoom, which works on a computer, tablet, telephone or cellphone⁹. The court’s page links a list of courtroom Zoom meeting numbers by courthouse⁹.

Non-evidentiary hearings. Local Rule 5161 applies to hearings where oral testimony is not received: hearings on motions, requests for orders and ex parte applications; case management proceedings such as case status conferences, mandatory settlement conferences and trial readiness conferences; and hearings on orders to show cause other than contempt⁸. Unless the court expressly orders an in-person appearance or the law requires one, a person who intends to appear remotely notifies all opposing parties before the hearing, informally if desired, “including by telephone, email or text message”; no advance notice to the court is required⁸. Notice can be given once for all non-evidentiary hearings in the case, and the parties can waive it orally or in writing⁹. If the court decides an in-person appearance is required, the hearing may be continued to a date when the parties are ordered to appear in person⁸.

The rule was amended effective January 1, 2026 and states that it “shall be in effect until January 1, 2027”⁸. Rule 5160, which required form RI-FL679 for telephone appearances, is suspended until that date⁸.

Evidentiary hearings and trials. Notice is given orally during a court proceeding, or by serving form RA-010 (Notice of Remote Appearance) and filing it⁹. If notice of the hearing was received at least 15 business days ahead, notice of intent to appear remotely can be given at least 10 business days before; if less than 15 business days, including restraining or protective order hearings, notice must be received at least five court days before⁹. A party can object using form RA-015⁹. If the court plans to hold an evidentiary hearing remotely, it gives verbal notice in court or written notice at least 10 court days ahead, or two court days if the hearing is set on less than 10 court days’ notice⁹.

Sources disagree Rule 5161 and the court’s Remote Appearances page list mandatory settlement conferences and trial readiness conferences as remote-eligible⁸⁹. Rule 5150(D), Rule 5153(F), the court’s settlement conference page and form RI-FL035 say parties must personally attend those events unless excused for good cause⁸¹². The court’s request for order packet also still gives call-in instructions for telephonic hearings although Rule 5160 is suspended⁶⁸. The notice for the specific hearing and any court order control; the sources do not reconcile the two rules.

Personal appearance is also required at the child custody recommending counseling appointment unless the Family Court Services Department Head approves a remote appearance in advance, as covered in Family Court Services in Riverside County⁸.

Rule 5153(E) adds that “The court no longer provides court reporters for family law cases” and points to General Administrative Order 2024-16⁸.