How to Format a Motion in California

Filing a motion in California state court requires strict adherence to the California Rules of Court. A motion is not just a written argument — it is a formatted legal document that must meet specific structural requirements under CRC 2.100 through 2.119. This guide walks through each component of a properly formatted motion, from the caption to the signature block.

Step 1: Start with Pleading Paper

Your motion must be on 28-line pleading paper — standard 8.5 × 11 inch paper with 28 numbered lines per page, a double vertical rule on the left, one-inch margins, and 12-point Times New Roman font. If you are filing electronically, the PDF you upload must have the same layout. Do not use plain unlined paper or a non-standard template.

Step 2: Format the Caption

The caption goes at the top of the first page. It includes the filer's contact information (name, bar number, address, phone, email) in the upper-left corner, with a "FOR COURT USE ONLY" box to its right. Below that, center the court name and county, underlined. Then comes the two-column caption box: the left column lists the parties (e.g., "JOHN DOE, Plaintiff, v. JANE ROE, Defendant."), and the right column lists the case number and the document title (e.g., "NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION TO COMPEL"). The document title should be in bold, underlined, and in all capital letters.

Step 3: Write the Body Text

The body of your motion begins after the caption. Start with a clear heading, such as "MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES," centered, bold, and underlined. Then present your argument in numbered sections. Each section should begin with a heading (e.g., "I. INTRODUCTION," "II. LEGAL STANDARD," "III. ARGUMENT"). Use 0.5-inch first-line indentation for paragraphs. Keep text left-aligned — California practice does not require full justification.

Step 4: Include Required Sections

A complete motion typically includes: a notice of motion (stating what is being requested, the date and time of the hearing, and the legal basis), a memorandum of points and authorities (the legal argument with citations to cases and statutes), a declaration (if factual support is needed), and a proposed order. Each of these may be a separate document or combined, depending on local court rules. Check your court's local rules for any additional requirements.

Step 5: Add the Signature Block

Every motion must be signed and dated by the filing party or their attorney. The signature block goes at the end of the document, below the body text. For attorneys, include your name, State Bar number, and the phrase "Attorney for [Party Name]." For self-represented litigants, include your name and "In Pro Per" or "Pro Per" below the signature line.

Step 6: Check Page Limits

Under CRC 2.108, a motion (not including the notice of motion, declarations, or exhibits) is generally limited to 10 pages, and a memorandum of points and authorities is limited to 15 pages. Complex cases may allow longer filings. Exceeding these limits can result in the court striking the excess pages. Plan your argument to fit within the allowed space, and use exhibits and declarations for supporting material rather than padding the motion itself.

Step 7: Verify the Footer

Every page must have a footer at the bottom with the page number centered, followed by a horizontal line and the document title. This ensures that any page can be identified if it becomes separated from the filing. The title in the footer can be abbreviated — for example, "NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION TO COMPEL DISCOVERY" can be shortened to "NOTICE OF MOTION."

Let CourtFormat Handle the Formatting

Formatting a motion by hand is tedious and error-prone. CourtFormat takes your raw text and automatically places it on compliant California pleading paper — with proper captions, line numbering, footers, margins, and font. It also checks for compliance issues before you file, so you can be confident your motion meets every requirement.