Can FL-303 be signed electronically?

Electronic signatures may be legally valid under ESIGN and UETA (15 U.S.C. §7001; UETA) but court acceptance varies. Confirm local superior court rules because courts sometimes require wet signatures or in-court verification for declarations.

Is notarization required for FL-303?

Many courts accept a signed declaration under penalty of perjury without a notary, but some require notarization for certain affidavits. Check local court rules or clerk instructions before filing to avoid rejection.

What counts as sufficient proof of service?

Sufficient proof typically includes server affidavits, certified mail receipts, or dated email delivery logs; label exhibits and reference them in FL-303 so the judge can easily verify service occurred as claimed.

What if service attempts fail?

Document each failed attempt on FL-303 and describe next steps; if service cannot be completed, seek court guidance on alternative service methods instead of filing incomplete proof.

When should I file FL-303 with the court?

File FL-303 as soon as practicable after service and before the hearing cutoff per local rules to ensure the court has time to review procedural sufficiency for calendaring.

Who is authorized to sign the declaration?

The person who performed the service or the process server signs to declare accuracy. If an attorney served documents, the attorney may sign but should include server details and contact information.

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FL-303 Declaration Regarding Notice and Service of Request

FL-303 Declaration Regarding Notice and Service of Request

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

PARTY (Name and address):

TELEPHONE NO. (Optional):

E-MAIL ADDRESS (Optional):

FAX NO. (Optional):

SC-110

FOR COURT USE ONLY

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF

STREET ADDRESS

MAILING ADDRESS

CITY AND ZIP CODE

BRANCH NAME

PLAINTIFF:

DEFENDANT:

REQUEST TO POSTPONE SMALL CLAIMS HEARING

CASE NUMBER:

IMPORTANT NOTICES

A copy of this request must be mailed or personally delivered to each of the other parties in this case. File the original request with the court and keep a copy. (Code Civ. Proc., § 116.570(a)(3).)

If the request is not filed with the court at least 10 days before the hearing, the requesting party must give the court a good reason why the request is being filed later. (Explain under item 2b below.) The court will decide whether good cause was shown. (Code Civ. Proc., § 116.570(a)(2).) If the court denies your request to postpone, your case will remain set on the original date.

If the plaintiff's claim was timely served on the defendant, there is a non-refundable $10 fee for filing a request to postpone the hearing. (Code Civ. Proc., § 116.570(d).) Submit the fee with this request.

REQUEST

1. I am the plaintiff defendant in this case.

2. a. I request that my small claims hearing (date): be postponed for the following reason (be specific):

b. This request is being made less than 10 days before hearing for the following reason (be specific):

3. a. A copy of this request was mailed personally delivered to each of the other parties in this case on

(date): at the following address as required by Code of Civil Procedure section 116.570(a)(3)

(specify name and address):

b. (Optional) In addition to the requirement above, each of the other parties was also notified of this request by

telephone e-mail fax on (date):

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.

Date:

(TYPE OR PRINT NAME)

(SIGNATURE)

Form Approved for Optional Use

Judicial Council of California

SC-110 [New January 1, 2004]

REQUEST TO POSTPONE SMALL CLAIMS HEARING

Page 1 of 1

Code of Civil Procedure § 116.570

WWW.LawCA.com

Law Publishers

What the FL-303 Declaration Regarding Notice and Service of Request Is

The FL-303 Declaration Regarding Notice and Service of Request documents how and when a party provided notice and served a Request for Order or related family law papers in California proceedings. It collects factual details about attempts, methods, dates, and recipients and is filed with the court to support procedural compliance. Because FL-303 is a judicial-court form, confirm local superior court filing rules: some courts require wet signatures or in-court verification even where federal ESIGN and UETA allow electronic signatures for commercial documents (15 U.S.C. §7001; UETA).

Why FL-303 Matters for Court Processing and Case Management

FL-303 creates a concise, court-ready record of service attempts and notice steps so judges can evaluate timeliness and proper service. Properly completed, it reduces disputes about notice, supports relief requests, and helps clerks accept or calendar hearings without procedural delay.

Who Typically Prepares and Relies on the FL-303 Declaration

Primary users include litigants, family law attorneys, and court clerks who process requests for orders; the form documents service attempts and outcomes before hearing.

Self-represented litigant preparing a Request for Order and proving notice compliance.
Family law attorney filing a motion and submitting evidence of service to the court.
Court clerk or judicial officer reviewing procedural sufficiency before calendaring a hearing.

Filing the FL-303 with clear service facts helps courts enforce notice rules and reduces the likelihood of continuances or sanctions for improper service.

Core Elements to Include in a Professional FL-303 Declaration

A complete FL-303 lists the served documents, method and date of service, recipient identity, attempts and results, supporting exhibits, and the declarant’s statement under penalty of perjury.

Served Documents

List each document served (for example, Request for Order, Temporary Restraining Order papers), including exact titles so the court can match service to documents filed.

Method of Service

Specify the exact method used (personal delivery, substitute service, mail, electronic delivery) and include provider details where applicable to show compliance with local rules.

Date and Time

Record precise dates and times for each service attempt and successful delivery; exact timestamps reduce ambiguity and prevent scheduling disputes.

Recipient Details

Provide the recipient’s full legal name, relationship to the case, and contact information used to effect service so judges can verify identity and notice sufficiency.

Supporting Exhibits

Attach proof such as transmittal emails, certified mail receipts, or server affidavits; label exhibits clearly and reference them in the declaration text.

Oath Statement

Include a signed declaration under penalty of perjury stating truthfulness and the declarant’s contact information; signature format and notarization follow local court requirements.

Step-by-Step: Completing and Using FL-303

Use this sequential checklist to prepare, serve, and file the declaration correctly.

01

Gather Documents: Collect the Request for Order and all documents to be served.
02

Complete FL-303: Enter service attempts, dates, methods, and attach exhibits.
03

Effect Service: Serve parties using the chosen method and retain proof.
04

File With Court: File FL-303 and exhibits per local e-file or clerk instructions.

Configuring an Electronic Workflow for FL-303

If you use an eSignature or document platform, set these workflow elements before sending documents for signature or service.

Field	Configuration
Document type	Court form \| Flat PDF ready for signing
Signer order	Declarant first \| Recipient notifications after
Authentication	Email plus SMS code \| Optional KBA
Attach exhibits	Append PDF exhibits \| Label each exhibit

Typical Flow from Preparation to Court Filing

A simple four-step flow summarizes how FL-303 moves from draft to court record.

Prepare: Complete FL-303 and attach supporting proof.
Notify: Provide notice or service per selected method.
Prove Service: Collect receipts, server affidavits, or email logs.
File: Submit declaration and exhibits to the court.

Digital Delivery and Platform Considerations

Choose a platform that preserves PDF integrity, captures an audit trail, and supports required authentication for court evidence.

File Formats: PDF, DOCX supported
Integrations: Works with NetSuite, Salesforce, Box
Authentication: Email + SMS or stronger

Ensure the platform you use can export a tamper-evident signed PDF and export audit details (IP, timestamp, signer email) so the court can verify service evidence if requested.

Timing Considerations and Local Hearing Deadlines

Timing for service and filing varies by court; confirm local superior court rules for minimum notice and last-day filing requirements before the hearing.

Check Local Rules:

Local rules set minimum days before hearing.

Personal Service:

Usually requires earlier notice than mail.

Mail Service:

Allow extra days for delivery and proof.

Electronic Notices:

Confirm court acceptance for e-service

Filing Cutoff:

File before clerk deadline for calendar inclusion

Consequences and Risks of Incorrect FL-303 Filings

Hearing Delay: Continuance or rescheduling

Motion Denial: Court may refuse relief

Sanctions: Court-ordered monetary penalties

Service Invalidated: Re-service required

Perjury Exposure: False statements risk criminal penalty

Record Rejection: Clerk may not accept incomplete forms

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Failing to list each service attempt separately, which obscures the timeline and can lead to unnecessary continuances or denials.
Omitting exhibit labels or failing to attach proof such as certified mail receipts or server affidavits, making the declaration unsupported.
Using inconsistent names or captions between FL-303 and other filings, which can cause the clerk to misfile or reject the document.
Signing without following the court’s notarization or signature verification requirements, creating doubt about the declaration’s authenticity.

eSignature Pricing Snapshot for FL-303 E‑signing and Distribution

Comparison of common eSignature vendor entry prices and basic capabilities that matter when preparing court-related declarations; signNow is listed first per vendor ordering rules.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day trial	No	No	Yes, limited	Yes, limited
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/yr	Varies	Varies	Varies

Frequently Asked Questions About Using FL-303

Answers to common questions about e-signing, notarization, proof of service, and filing related to FL-303.

Need help? Contact support

Can FL-303 be signed electronically?
Electronic signatures may be legally valid under ESIGN and UETA (15 U.S.C. §7001; UETA) but court acceptance varies. Confirm local superior court rules because courts sometimes require wet signatures or in-court verification for declarations.
Is notarization required for FL-303?
Many courts accept a signed declaration under penalty of perjury without a notary, but some require notarization for certain affidavits. Check local court rules or clerk instructions before filing to avoid rejection.
What counts as sufficient proof of service?
Sufficient proof typically includes server affidavits, certified mail receipts, or dated email delivery logs; label exhibits and reference them in FL-303 so the judge can easily verify service occurred as claimed.
What if service attempts fail?
Document each failed attempt on FL-303 and describe next steps; if service cannot be completed, seek court guidance on alternative service methods instead of filing incomplete proof.
When should I file FL-303 with the court?
File FL-303 as soon as practicable after service and before the hearing cutoff per local rules to ensure the court has time to review procedural sufficiency for calendaring.
Who is authorized to sign the declaration?
The person who performed the service or the process server signs to declare accuracy. If an attorney served documents, the attorney may sign but should include server details and contact information.

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