California Rules of Court Formatting Requirements
The California Rules of Court, specifically rules 2.100 through 2.119, set out the formatting requirements for all documents filed in California state courts. These rules cover everything from paper size and margins to font, line numbering, captions, and footers. Whether you are an attorney or a self-represented litigant, your filing must comply with these rules — noncompliant documents can be rejected by the court clerk, delaying your case.
Paper Size and Margins (CRC 2.101)
All documents must be on 8.5 × 11 inch paper. The margins must be at least one inch on the top, bottom, and left side. The right margin can be as small as 0.5 inches. Text must not extend beyond these margins on any page. If you are filing electronically, the same page size and margin rules apply to the PDF you upload.
Font and Text Size (CRC 2.102)
Documents must be printed in a font that is easily readable. The most commonly accepted font is Times New Roman at 12-point size. The rule requires that text be no smaller than 12-point for body text. Headings and captions may be larger. Using a decorative or condensed font risks rejection — stick with a standard, professional serif font.
Line Numbering (CRC 2.103)
Every page of a pleading must contain 28 numbered lines, with numbers 1 through 28 printed in the left margin. A double vertical rule separates the line numbers from the body text. Line numbers restart at 1 on each new page. This numbering system allows the court and opposing parties to cite specific lines in their responses — for example, "See Declaration, line 14."
Captions (CRC 2.111)
The caption appears at the top of the first page of every document. It includes the court name, county, party names with their designations (e.g., "Plaintiff" or "Defendant"), the case number, and the title of the document being filed. The caption is formatted as a bordered box with a vertical divider — party names on the left, case information on the right. The document title (e.g., "NOTICE OF MOTION") appears in bold and underlined text on the right side of the caption.
Footers and Page Numbers (CRC 2.110)
Each page must have a footer at the bottom containing the page number, centered, followed by a horizontal line and then the title of the document. The document title in the footer can be abbreviated if it is too long. This allows the court to identify any page that becomes separated from the filing.
Page Limits (CRC 2.108)
Different document types have different page limits. For example, a motion generally may not exceed 10 pages of argument, and a memorandum of points and authorities is typically limited to 15 pages (longer for certain complex matters). Declarations and exhibits may have different limits. Exceeding the page limit can result in the court striking the excess pages or rejecting the filing entirely. Always check the specific rule that applies to your document type.
Common Compliance Mistakes
- Using the wrong number of lines per page (fewer or more than 28)
- Missing or broken caption box borders
- No "FOR COURT USE ONLY" box on the first page
- Incorrect or missing footer with document title
- Text extending beyond the allowed margins
- Using a font smaller than 12 points
CourtFormat automatically checks your document against all of these requirements and generates a fully compliant version, so you never have to worry about a formatting rejection again.