Educational guide
Update Your Address in a California Civil Case Checklist
A practical general-information checklist for notifying a California trial court and the other parties about a changed mailing address or other contact information, based on California Courts form MC-040 and rule 2.200. It is not individualized legal advice and does not change existing case deadlines.
- Act promptly when a mailing address, telephone number, fax number or previously provided email address changes during a pending action. California Rules of Court, rule 2.200 requires an attorney or self-represented party to serve every party and file written notice of the change.
- Use the current Notice of Change of Address or Other Contact Information, form MC-040, from California Courts. Complete page 1 with the court, case name, case number and the new contact information; use the new address on later papers filed in the case.
- Make enough copies for every other party. If a party has an attorney in the case, California Courts instructs that the notice be sent to that attorney instead of directly to the represented party.
- Have an adult who is at least 18 and is not a party to the case mail the copies. The person who mails them is the server and must complete and sign the proof of service on page 2 of the original MC-040.
- File the original notice signed by both the person updating the information and the server. California Courts states that there is no fee to file MC-040; check the assigned superior court for its current in-person, mail or electronic-filing method.
- Keep a file-stamped copy and confirm the court received it. Updating one court case does not necessarily update a different case, an attorney, an insurer, an e-filing account or another agency, so review each separate record that may need the new information.
- Continue monitoring the docket, mail and all existing deadlines. Filing MC-040 updates contact information; it does not reopen a missed deadline, postpone a hearing or substitute a new attorney.
- Use the official form instructions, the assigned court or a court self-help center for procedural questions. Consult a qualified lawyer when the change involves confidentiality, safety, protected addresses, service disputes or case-specific strategy.
Official resources
This guide provides general information only and is not legal or medical advice. Rules and individual circumstances differ. In an emergency, call 911.