When is a Notice of Appeal due?

Deadlines depend on jurisdiction. Federal civil appeals generally require a Notice of Appeal within 30 days of judgment under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 4(a); criminal appeals have shorter periods. State rules vary—confirm the deadline in the relevant state appellate rules.

Can I electronically sign a Notice of Appeal?

Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act and most state UETA laws when they show intent, attribution, and retention. Confirm the local court accepts e-signatures and that any consumer disclosures or exceptions do not apply.

Where should I file the Notice of Appeal?

File where local rules require—often with the trial-court clerk to perfect the appeal, or directly with the appellate clerk in some jurisdictions. Many courts offer e-filing portals; always check local filing rules for required formats and service procedures.

What happens if I file late?

A late Notice of Appeal typically results in forfeiture of appellate rights unless a narrowly defined tolling or extension applies. Courts rarely accept untimely notices absent extraordinary circumstances or statutory authorization.

Can I amend or withdraw the Notice of Appeal?

Amendments or withdrawals depend on timing and local rules. You may be able to correct a clerical defect or withdraw before docketing, but substantive amendments often require a new filing or court permission.

What supporting documents must be submitted?

Include the appealed judgment or order citation, proof of service, filing fee or fee-exemption documentation, and any required forms for designating the record on appeal. Specific supporting documents vary by court and case type.

Notice of Appeal

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

APP-102 Notice of Appeal/Cross-Appeal (Limited Civil Case)

Clerk stamps date here when form is filed.

You fill in the name and street address of the court that issued the judgment or order you are appealing:

You fill in the number and name of the trial court case in which you are appealing the judgment or order:

The clerk will fill in the number below

Instructions

This form is only for appealing in a limited civil case. You can get other forms for appealing in unlimited civil cases at any courthouse or county law library or online at www.courts.ca.gov/forms.
Before you fill out this form, read Information on Appeal Procedures for Limited Civil Cases (form APP-101-INFO) to know your rights and responsibilities. You can get form APP-101-INFO at any courthouse or county law library or online at www.courts.ca.gov/forms.
You must serve and file this form no later than 30 days after the trial court or a party serves a document called a Notice of Entry of the trial court judgment or a file-stamped copy of the judgment or 90 days after entry of judgment, whichever is earlier (see rule 8.823 of the California Rules of Court for very limited exceptions). If your notice of appeal is late, your appeal will be dismissed.
Fill out this form and make a copy of the completed form for your records and for each of the other parties.
Serve a copy of the completed form on each of the other parties and keep proof of this service. You can get information about how to serve court papers and proof of service from What Is Proof of Service? (form APP-109-INFO) and on the California Courts Online Self-Help Center at www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-serving.htm.
Take or mail the original completed form and proof of service on the other parties to the clerk's office for the same court that issued the judgment or order you are appealing. It is a good idea to take or mail an extra copy to the clerk and ask the clerk to stamp it to show that the original has been filed.

1) Your Information

a. Name of appellant (the party who is filing this appeal):

Check here if more than one appellant and attach a separate page or pages listing the other appellants and their contact information. At the top of each page, write “APP-102, item 1a.”

b. Appellant's contact information (skip this if the appellant has a lawyer for this appeal):

Street address: City State Zip

Mailing address (if different): City State Zip

Phone: E-mail:

c. Appellant's lawyer (skip this if the appellant does not have a lawyer for this appeal):

Name: State Bar number:

Street address: City State Zip

Mailing address (if different): City State Zip

Phone: E-mail:

Fax:

Trial Court Case Name:

Trial Court Case Number:

2) This is (check a or b):

a. The first appeal in this case.

b. A cross-appeal (an appeal filed after the first appeal in this case (complete (1), (2), and (3)).

(1) The notice of appeal in the first appeal was filed on (fill in the date that the other party filed its notice of appeal in this case):

(2) The trial court clerk served notice of the first appeal on (fill in the date that the clerk served the notice of the other party's appeal in this case):

(3) The appellate division case number for the first appeal is (fill in the appellate division case number of the other party's appeal, if you know it):

3) Judgment or Order You Are Appealing

I am/My client is appealing (check a or b):

a. The final judgment in the trial court case identified in the box on page 1 of this form.

The date the trial court entered this judgment was (fill in the date):

b. Other:

(1) An order made after final judgment in the case.