Fax Filing

Procedure for Document Filings by Fax

1. All documents filed by fax must be typed, and must conform to the format set forth in CRC 201 and 501.
2. The document must be faxed with a facsimile Transmission Cover Sheet, pursuant to Judicial Council Rule 2009. See below for a link to the Fax Filing Cover Sheet.
1. The fax filing account number for the faxing party must be on the cover sheet.
2. The total number of pages received should match the number of pages stated on the cover sheet.
3. If there is no cover sheet, or the sheet is incompletely filled out, the document will be mailed back unfiled.
4. The clerk DOES NOT file the cover sheet.
1. The clerk attaches the register receipt to the cover sheet and sends the cover sheet to the Accounting Department.
2. The Accounting Department will retain for our records after processing.
3. The document must have the notation "By Fax" written immediately below the title of the document. Documents submitted without this notation are incomplete and cannot be filed.
4. The clerk will check to make sure all documents needed for filing have been sent.
1. If any documents are missing, the filing is incomplete. The clerk will send the documents back to the filing party.
2. If possible, the clerk will notify the filing party of any problems. The clerk will inform the filing party that the documents will not be filed until the required documents are sent.
3. If a filed document requires exhibits, the exhibits should be faxed with the rest of the document. If the exhibit is submitted separately, the exhibit will be treated as a separate filing.
5. If the filing involves a court hearing within the next two weeks, that fact, plus the date, time and department of the hearing must be noted on the cover sheet and written in a clearly visible manner on the first page of the document.
6. Fees are $1.00 per page of the document, including copies of the document, but excluding the fax cover sheet and any processing instructions. However, parties do not have to pay the $1.00 per page fee for stipulations to continue trials or motions.
1. The faxing party must have established a fax filing account in advance to pay fees. A minimum deposit of $1,000.00 will be required to open a fax filing account for payment of filing fees and transmittal costs. A minimum deposit of $100.00 may be accepted for transmittal fees only. Checks should be made out to Fresno County Courts. Checks can be sent to:

Fresno Superior Court, Accounting Department
1100 Van Ness Avenue, B1
Fresno, CA 93724
(559) 488-3349

2. The accountant will debit the fax filing account for charges incurred.
1. If the party's fax filing account has insufficient funds to cover the cost of faxing and any related filing fee, then the filing is null and void.
2. In the case of insufficient funds for the filing, the accountant will contact the clerk and the clerk will retrieve the document, strike the filing and return it to the filing party by mail.
3. Waivers of court fees and costs do not apply to the cost of faxing the document. However, to Local Rule 11.4b, fax filings in criminal and traffic cases are exempt from the filing fee requirements. Pursuant to Government Code § 26857, government agencies are not required to pay filing fees for fax filings and therefore do not have to open their own fax filing accounts.
7. If the party wishes to have conformed copies, the party must fax additional copies with the original documents.
1. Clerks will not make photocopies of fax filings for the purpose of providing additional conformed copies.
2. Conformed copies may be picked up at the appropriate filing section, or in the runner's box. The clerk's office will not mail the copies to the faxing party.
8. The party filing by fax has the responsibility of keeping the original documents in his or her possession or control. See CRC 2007 (a). If the filing party later submits the original document for filing, the clerk can send it back.
9. Fax filings received by 5:00 p.m. will be file stamped as of that day. A filing is considered to be received at the time the last page of the document is received. Any filings received after business hours shall be considered filed as of the next day.

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	Fax Filing Telephone Numbers
	Department Phone Number Civil Limited and Unlimited, Small Claims 497-4100 Family Law 488-1976 Clovis 299-2595 Coalinga 935-5324 Criminal (Misdemeanor) and Probate - 4th Floor 488-1654 Criminal (Felony) and Traffic - B1 Floor 488-6799 Firebaugh 659-6228 Fowler 834-1645 Kerman 846-5751 Kingsburg 897-1419 Reedley 637-1534

Fax Filing Cover Sheet

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