Welcome to San Diego Superior Court’s Self-Help Center
The goal of the Self-Help Center is to provide information that will explain and guide you through court processes and make it easier for you to handle your court case if you don't have a lawyer. You can learn about court procedures, find and fill out the forms you need, see what steps are involved as your case goes through court, see what assistance you can get through a self-help service provider, and find information about other helpful resources.
Self-Help Services on San Diego Superior Court's Website
| Civil Harassment Restraining Orders | Conservatorship |
| Domestic Violence Restraining Orders | Family Law |
Guardianship |
Landlord-Tenant Cases (Unlawful Detainer) |
Small Claims |
CARE Act |
Rules
The rules for the Self-Help Center are the same as for other help provided by court staff to the public.
- The information on the Self-Help Center website, or provided to you in person by a Self-Help Center lawyer or staff person, is not legal advice.
- Self-Help Center lawyers are not your lawyer. They are lawyers who can help people who do not have their own lawyer.
- You do not have an attorney-client privilege with Self-Help Center staff or lawyer. What you say to the staff or lawyer is not confidential.
- Parties on both sides of a case can get help from the Self-Help Center, and parties on both sides of a case may be helped by the same attorney or staff person at the Self-Help Center.
- Self-Help Center services are free. Anyone who does not have their own lawyer can get help from the Self-Help Center. It does not matter how much money you make.
- Learn more about the Court's legal information, including a summary of what court staff can and cannot do, and how to obtain an attorney if you need one.
(Some exceptions to these rules may apply to help from San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program in Domestic Violence and Civil Harassment matters.)
NEED ONE-ON-ONE HELP?
Self-help service providers are attorneys, paralegals, clerks, and trained volunteers. They can explain procedures and assist you in filling out the forms you need to file and process your case. They offer one-on-one remote assistance by phone and video. Group workshops are also offered remotely.
Please refer to this summary of providers for details on locations, hours and services available.
Links to help you find an attorney:
- San Diego County Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Services
- Legal Aid Society of San Diego
- San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program
Additional self-help websites:
- California Courts Self-Help Website (English) / Centro de Auto Ayuda (Español)
- Civil Appellate Self-Help Workshop
Other frequently used links on the San Diego Superior Court website:
- Need to contact the court? See our Contact Us page for information on how to call or visit the multiple court locations in San Diego County.
- Looking for a form? Find both state and local forms on the Forms page.
- Looking for information about a particular case? Visit the Court Index to search for a case number and see information on where to find documents in that case.