COVID-19 Probate FAQ
Probate FAQ
Updated 5/19/2022.
The Clerk's Offices are open for in-person transactions between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Clerk's Office employees are available to assist by telephone from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and are processing documents submitted by E-Filing or by U.S. Mail or Drop-Box (for self-represented parties only) throughout the day.
For questions regarding Probate cases, you may call:
Santa Maria: 805-614-6414
Santa Barbara: 805-882-4520
The clerk's office accepts filings in-person from self-represented litigants between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. All attorneys are required to E-file. Electronic filing is available here.
If it is impossible for self-represented parties to file documents electronically, they may submit documents by U.S. mail to the proper address listed on the courthouse location page.
Self-represented parties may also use the drop boxes located in Santa Maria at the front of the Civil Clerk's Office; in Santa Barbara during business hours in front of the Civil Clerk's Office at 1100 Anacapa St; and in Lompoc at the entrance for Superior Court.
Self-represented parties may file by FAX in Santa Maria or Santa Barbara.
FAX filings fees are $1.00 per page and you must include the Judicial Council FAX cover sheet, form MC-005, and include a credit card number and three-digit security code on the form.
FAX filing numbers:
Santa Barbara: 805.882.4519
Santa Maria: 805.614.6616
Most probate proceedings may be heard in person or by Zoom. The court no longer routinely allows the use of Court Call. Please refer to the Information/Process for Remote Appearance – Civil document for information on proceedings that require personal appearances and how to request appearance by Zoom. Info/Process for Remote Appearance-Civil
Probate Notes are posted under Tentative Rulings on the Online Service tab of the court website.
Please contact the assigned department for ex parte requests.
- Dept. SM 2, SM 3 and LM 2: 805-614-6500
- Dept. SM 4: 805-614-6515
- Dept. SB 3 and SB 5: 805-882-4570
- Dept. SB 4 and SB 6: 805-882-4590