Yes, you can add extra pages to almost any California court filing by using Judicial Council Form MC-025, the official “Attachment” form that lets you continue text when a printed form runs out of space. This single half-page form is the universal continuation sheet for state court filings, and it is governed by the California Rules of Court, rule 2.100 through 2.119, which set the formatting and filing standards for every paper presented to a California court.
Filing rejections are not rare. The Judicial Council’s 2023 Court Statistics Report shows California trial courts processed more than 4.4 million civil and family filings, and clerks routinely reject documents for non-conforming attachments. A wrong attachment can delay a hearing by weeks, and in time-sensitive matters like restraining orders or evictions, a delay can mean lost rights.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📄 What MC-025 is, when to use it, and when a different attachment form is required
- ✍️ Line-by-line instructions for filling out every box on the form
- ⚖️ How federal pleading concepts and the California Rules of Court interact with MC-025
- 🧾 Three full worked examples across family, civil, and probate matters
- 🚫 The seven most common mistakes that get MC-025 attachments rejected by court clerks
What Form MC-025 Actually Is
Form MC-025, titled simply “Attachment,” is a one-page Judicial Council form published by the California Judicial Council and approved for optional use statewide. The form is designed as a continuation sheet: when a preprinted Judicial Council form like MC-030 (Declaration) or FL-300 (Request for Order) runs out of room, MC-025 lets you keep writing on a properly formatted page that the clerk will accept. The form is universal, meaning it can attach to nearly any other Judicial Council form across civil, family, probate, small claims, and unlawful detainer matters.
The legal foundation for MC-025 sits in California Rules of Court, rule 2.100, which requires that every paper filed in a trial court conform to specific formatting standards including 1-inch margins, line-numbered paper, and a footer. Rule 2.134 specifically addresses attachments and incorporation by reference, while rule 3.1110(f) governs exhibit tabs and labeling. The consequence of ignoring these rules is a clerk rejection under rule 3.1300 or local rejection procedures.
A common misconception is that MC-025 is the same as an “exhibit.” It is not. An exhibit is a separate document, like a contract or a photograph, attached for reference and usually labeled “Exhibit A” with a tab. MC-025 is a continuation of your own writing on a Judicial Council form, used when the lines on the original form are too few. Real-world example: when Maria Lopez writes a declaration about her child’s school schedule on MC-030 and runs out of lines after paragraph three, she uses MC-025 to keep telling her story, not to attach her child’s report card.
Who Publishes and Approves the Form
The Judicial Council of California, chaired by the Chief Justice, drafts and approves MC-025 under the authority of Article VI, Section 6 of the California Constitution. Forms are revised periodically, and the version stamped at the bottom of the page (currently “Rev. January 1, 2012”) must match what the clerk expects. Filing an obsolete version is a basis for rejection.
The consequence of using a printed copy from a third-party site that has been altered is real: clerks compare your filing to the official version and reject any modified form. David Chen, a paralegal in Sacramento, learned this when his firm’s template had stripped the form number from the footer; the Sacramento County Superior Court rejected six filings in one morning.
When MC-025 Is Optional vs. Required
MC-025 is technically optional, meaning you may instead use plain pleading paper that complies with rule 2.108 (line spacing) and rule 2.111 (format of first page). However, several courts strongly prefer MC-025 for self-represented litigants because it auto-formats the caption and footer correctly. The California Courts Self-Help Center recommends MC-025 for any pro per filer who is unsure about pleading-paper formatting.
A common misconception is that you must use MC-025 to attach exhibits. You do not. Exhibits get their own cover page or Form MC-020, which is the “Additional Page” pleading paper used inside legal briefs.
Line-by-Line: How to Fill Out MC-025
Form MC-025 has a small caption block at the top, an “Attachment” identifier line, and a body. Every field matters because the clerk uses the caption to match your attachment to the parent document. Skipping a field can cause the attachment to be misfiled or rejected.
The Caption Box (Top Right)
The top-right caption box on MC-025 must mirror the caption on the parent form exactly. This means the same court name, same case number, same parties, and same case title. The reason is straightforward: the clerk’s office and the case-management system index documents by case number and party name, so a mismatch can cause your attachment to land in the wrong file.
Plain-English explanation: if your parent form lists “Jennifer Park v. Michael Park, Case No. 24FL00123, Superior Court of California, County of Orange,” your MC-025 must say the same thing in the same order. The consequence of a typo, like “24FL0123” missing a zero, is that the clerk may reject the document or, worse, file it in the wrong case.
A common misconception is that the case number alone is enough. It is not. The California Rules of Court, rule 2.111(2) require the title of the court and the names of the parties to appear on every page. Aisha Robinson, filing pro per in Los Angeles, once skipped the party names on her MC-025 and had her response stricken at the hearing because the judge could not confirm it belonged to her case.
The “Attachment” Identifier Line
Below the caption is a line that reads: “ATTACHMENT (Number): _ This attachment is to: ___.” This is the most-skipped and most-rejected field on MC-025. The number you enter must match the item number on the parent form that you are continuing.
Plain-English explanation: if you are continuing item 10 on FL-300, you write “10” in the attachment number box. If you are continuing the declaration paragraph 3 on MC-030, you write “3.” The “This attachment is to” blank is for the form name, like “FL-300” or “MC-030.” The consequence of leaving these blank is that the judge cannot tell which part of your filing the attachment expands on, and may simply not read it.
A common misconception is that MC-025 is a “free-form” attachment for any extra information. It is not. Under California Rules of Court, rule 2.134(a), an attachment is incorporated by reference only if the parent form specifically references the attachment by number. Carlos Mendez learned this when he attached three MC-025 pages with extra arguments unconnected to any item; the judge ignored all three.
The Body (Numbered Lines)
The body of MC-025 has 28 numbered lines on standard pleading paper format with 1-inch margins. Type or hand-print legibly in black or blue ink. Use line spacing of 1.5 or 2 lines per rule 2.108, and a font no smaller than 12 points per rule 2.104.
Plain-English explanation: write the continuation of whatever you started on the parent form. If you ran out of room mid-sentence on item 10 of FL-300, start the MC-025 with the rest of that sentence. The consequence of using single spacing or 10-point font is rejection under rule 2.104 and rule 2.108.
A common misconception is that handwriting is not allowed. It is, but rule 2.111(4) requires it to be legible in blue or black ink. Priya Singh, a self-represented tenant, hand-wrote her MC-025 in pencil; the Alameda County clerk rejected it because pencil can be erased.
Page Numbering: “Page ___ of ___”
At the bottom right of MC-025 is “Page ___ of ___ (Add pages as required).” The first blank is the page number of the attachment within the filing, and the second blank is the total number of pages in the entire filing including the parent form.
Plain-English explanation: if your parent form is 4 pages and you have one MC-025 page, the MC-025 should read “Page 5 of 5.” If you have three MC-025 pages, they read “Page 5 of 7,” “Page 6 of 7,” and “Page 7 of 7.” The consequence of missing or wrong page numbers is that pages can be lost in the file and the clerk may reject under rule 2.110, which requires consecutive page numbering.
A common misconception is that you only number the MC-025 pages. You do not. The page count is for the entire filing, so the parent form, the MC-025s, and any required signatures all count.
Three Full Worked Examples
The three most common scenarios for MC-025 are (1) a family-law declaration overflow, (2) a civil complaint cause-of-action continuation, and (3) a probate inventory continuation. Each has its own quirks under California’s procedural rules.
Example 1: Family Law Declaration Overflow
Jennifer Park is filing a Request for Order (FL-300) to modify child custody. Item 10 (“Facts to Support”) gives her only a few lines, but she has six paragraphs of facts about her child’s school changes. She uses MC-025 to continue.
| Filing Step | Result if Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Caption matches FL-300 exactly with case number 24FL00123 | Rejection or misfiling under rule 2.111 |
| “Attachment 10” written on MC-025 identifier line | Judge ignores attachment under rule 2.134 |
| Page numbered “Page 5 of 6” matching total filing | Lost pages or rejection under rule 2.110 |
Example 2: Civil Complaint Cause of Action
Robert Thompson is filing a breach-of-contract complaint using Form PLD-C-001 (Complaint—Contract). His second cause of action for fraud needs more facts than the cause-of-action attachment provides, so he uses MC-025.
| Filing Step | Result if Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Use MC-025 only after the dedicated PLD-C-001(2) cause-of-action sheet is full | Demurrer for uncertainty under CCP §430.10(f) |
| Number paragraphs sequentially with parent form | Pleading struck for non-compliance with rule 2.112 |
| Include verification page at the end | Complaint treated as unverified under CCP §446 |
Example 3: Probate Inventory Continuation
Margaret O’Brien, executor of her father’s estate, is filing DE-160 (Inventory and Appraisal) and the property list runs longer than the DE-161 attachment allows. She uses MC-025 only after exhausting DE-161.
| Filing Step | Result if Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Use DE-161 first, then MC-025 for additional items | Probate referee rejects under Probate Code §8800 |
| List items with continuing item numbers from DE-161 | Inventory deemed incomplete |
| Sign and date if making factual representations | Rejection under Probate Code §8901 |
Formatting Rules Under the California Rules of Court
The formatting rules for MC-025 come from Title 2 of the California Rules of Court, which applies to every trial court paper. These rules are not suggestions; they are the basis for clerk rejections every business day.
Margins, Font, and Spacing
Rule 2.108 requires line spacing of 1.5 or 2 lines, and rule 2.104 requires a font of “essentially equivalent” to 12-point Times New Roman or Arial. Margins under rule 2.107 must be 1 inch on the left, right, top, and bottom.
The consequence of using 10-point font to fit more text is rejection. Tamara Wilson, a small-business owner, shrank her MC-025 font to 10 point to fit a lease history; the Santa Clara County clerk rejected the filing twice before she reformatted.
A common misconception is that 1.5-line spacing is “single-and-a-half.” It is, but the rule treats numbered footnotes and quotations differently, allowing single spacing for those.
Footer Requirements
Rule 2.110 requires every page after the first to include a footer with a “brief title” of the document, like “DECLARATION OF JENNIFER PARK.” MC-025 has a built-in footer line, but you must fill it in.
The consequence of leaving the footer blank is a rejection because the clerk cannot verify which document a loose page belongs to if the staple comes out.
A common misconception is that the footer is optional on a 1-page MC-025. It is not, because the page count “Page 5 of 5” already implies multi-page filing, and the brief title is still required.
eFiling and MC-025
Many California courts now require electronic filing through vendors like TrueFiling, One Legal, and File & ServeXpress. The California Rules of Court, rule 2.250 through 2.261 govern eFiling statewide.
PDF/A and Text-Searchable Requirements
Most courts require PDFs that are text-searchable, meaning the text inside the PDF can be selected and copied. Los Angeles Superior Court Local Rule 3.4 and similar rules in San Diego, San Francisco, and Orange County require text-searchable PDFs and reject scanned image-only files.
The consequence of submitting a non-searchable PDF is rejection by the eFiling vendor or the court. Hassan Ahmed, filing in Los Angeles, scanned his handwritten MC-025 as a JPEG and converted to PDF; the eFiling system rejected it for failing text-searchability.
A common misconception is that any PDF works. It does not. PDF/A is the archival format preferred, and many courts have moved toward requiring it.
Bookmarking and Hyperlinks
Rule 3.1110(f)(4) requires electronic exhibits to be bookmarked. While MC-025 attachments are not technically exhibits, many courts require bookmarks for any document over a few pages.
The consequence of unbookmarked filings is delayed processing or local-rule rejection.
Local Rules That Affect MC-025
Even though MC-025 is a statewide form, local rules can layer on extra requirements. Always check the local court’s website before filing.
Los Angeles Superior Court
LASC local rules require electronic filing in most civil cases, with text-searchable PDFs and bookmarked exhibits. MC-025 attachments must be filed as part of the parent document PDF, not as a separate filing.
San Francisco and Orange County
San Francisco’s Uniform Local Rules and Orange County’s local rules similarly require eFiling for civil and probate matters and apply specific exhibit-tabbing rules to attachments.
San Diego County
San Diego’s Superior Court local rules follow CRC 3.1110 closely but add a requirement that pages be Bates-stamped consecutively in family-law filings over 25 pages. The consequence of not Bates-stamping is rejection at the family-law clerk’s window.
Mistakes to Avoid
The seven most common rejection reasons for MC-025 attachments come straight from clerk-office data and are listed in many county self-help guides.
- Wrong attachment number. Writing “Attachment A” instead of the parent-form item number causes the judge to disregard the attachment under rule 2.134.
- Mismatched caption. Even a single-letter misspelling of a party name causes misfiling and possible rejection under rule 2.111.
- Missing footer. A blank footer line violates rule 2.110 and routinely triggers rejection.
- Wrong page numbering. “Page 1 of 1” on a continuation sheet inside a 6-page filing causes confusion and rejection.
- Single spacing. Cramming text into single spacing violates rule 2.108 and is rejected on sight.
- Pencil or non-black/blue ink. Pencil violates rule 2.111(4) and red ink causes scanning problems.
- Using MC-025 for exhibits. Attaching a contract as an MC-025 page is improper; use MC-020 or a separate exhibit cover sheet under rule 3.1110.
Do’s and Don’ts
The following list distills statewide guidance from the Judicial Council Self-Help Center and county clerk handbooks into a quick reference.
Do
- Match the caption exactly to the parent form, because the clerk indexes by case number and parties under rule 2.111.
- Number the attachment to match the parent-form item, because rule 2.134 requires the parent to reference the attachment by number.
- Use 12-point font and 1.5 or 2 line spacing, because rule 2.108 requires it.
- Sign at the end if you are making factual statements under penalty of perjury, because CCP §2015.5 requires the signature for declaration force.
- Number pages consecutively across the entire filing, because rule 2.110 demands continuous pagination.
Don’t
- Don’t use MC-025 to attach exhibits, because exhibits require rule 3.1110(f) tabbing.
- Don’t write in pencil, because rule 2.111(4) bans erasable ink.
- Don’t use a font smaller than 12 points, because rule 2.104 sets the minimum.
- Don’t leave the footer blank, because rule 2.110 requires a brief title on every page after the first.
- Don’t attach unrelated arguments, because rule 2.134 limits attachments to material specifically referenced by the parent form.
Pros and Cons of Using MC-025
MC-025 is convenient, but it is not always the best choice. Here are the trade-offs.
Pros
- Universal across nearly all Judicial Council forms, saving time on formatting custom pleading paper.
- Pre-formatted with line numbers and footer line, reducing rule-2.108 and rule-2.110 errors.
- Free to download from the Judicial Council forms page.
- Recognized by every California superior court clerk, lowering rejection risk for pro per filers.
- Easy to add multiple pages by stacking MC-025 sheets numbered sequentially.
Cons
- Limited to short continuations because each MC-025 holds about 28 lines.
- Not suitable for exhibits, requiring filers to learn additional rules under rule 3.1110.
- Can be confused with MC-020 (Additional Page), leading to wrong-form filings.
- Requires careful attachment numbering, which trips up self-represented filers.
- Does not include a verification or signature block, so a separate verification under CCP §446 may be needed.
Federal Pleading Background
Although MC-025 is a state form, federal pleading rules influence California practice. The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 10(c) allow a “statement in a pleading” to be adopted by reference in a later pleading, which is the same incorporation-by-reference concept California uses in rule 2.134.
The consequence of confusing federal and state attachment rules is procedural mismatch. Federal courts use the CM/ECF system and do not use MC-025 at all; a filer who tries to attach MC-025 to a federal complaint will face rejection by the district-court clerk.
A common misconception is that California’s MC-025 satisfies federal pleading attachments. It does not. Federal practice uses Local Rules of each district, like the Central District of California Local Rules, which require their own pleading-paper format.
Key Court Rulings
Two California cases illustrate why MC-025 formatting matters. In Mansour v. Superior Court (1995) 38 Cal.App.4th 1750, the appellate court emphasized that pleadings must comply with formatting rules to be considered, and improperly formatted attachments may be disregarded.
In Bozzi v. Nordstrom, Inc. (2010) 186 Cal.App.4th 755, the court reinforced that incorporation by reference under rule 2.134 requires clear, specific reference in the parent document to the attachment.
The consequence of ignoring these rulings is that arguments and evidence presented only on MC-025 pages can be ignored by the trial court without violating due process.
Key Entities and Their Roles
Multiple players touch every MC-025 filing. Understanding their roles helps you anticipate rejections.
- Judicial Council of California drafts and approves the MC-025 form under constitutional authority.
- Superior court clerks are gatekeepers who accept or reject filings based on rule 2.100 compliance.
- California Self-Help Centers assist self-represented litigants in completing forms correctly.
- eFiling vendors like TrueFiling and One Legal apply both court rules and their own technical PDF requirements.
- Probate referees, governed by Probate Code §8900, review inventories that often include MC-025 continuations.
FAQs
Is Form MC-025 mandatory?
No. MC-025 is approved for optional use under the Judicial Council forms list, but plain pleading paper that complies with rules 2.108 and 2.111 can substitute for the form.
Can I file MC-025 by itself?
No. MC-025 must always attach to a parent form because rule 2.134 treats it as an incorporation-by-reference continuation, not a standalone document.
Do I need to sign MC-025?
Yes, if it contains factual statements under penalty of perjury, because CCP §2015.5 requires the declarant to sign and date the declaration to give it legal force.
Can I handwrite MC-025?
Yes. Handwriting is allowed if it is legible and in blue or black ink under rule 2.111(4), but pencil and other colored inks are prohibited.
Can I use MC-025 for exhibits?
No. Exhibits require a cover sheet and tabbing under rule 3.1110(f); MC-025 is only for continuing your own writing.
Does MC-025 work in small claims court?
Yes. Small claims forms like SC-100 accept MC-025 continuations, but small claims has tight word-and-page limits, so check local rules first.
Can I file MC-025 electronically?
Yes. California Rules of Court, rules 2.250 through 2.261 allow eFiling, but the PDF must be text-searchable and combined with the parent form.
Is there a page limit on MC-025?
No statewide page limit exists for MC-025, but motion-related filings face page caps under rule 3.1113(d), which limits memoranda to 15 pages.
Can I use MC-025 in federal court?
No. Federal courts do not accept Judicial Council forms; you must use the federal local-rule pleading paper from the district where you are filing.
Will the clerk reject my MC-025 for a typo?
Yes, sometimes. Caption typos, missing footers, and wrong page numbers are routine bases for clerk rejection under rule 3.1300 and local rules.
Do I need to serve MC-025 on the other party?
Yes. Service of the parent document includes its attachments, so MC-025 pages must be served along with the parent form under CCP §1013 or §1010.6 for electronic service.
Can I correct an MC-025 after filing?
Yes, by filing an amended version with leave of court if required, and noting “Amended” on the caption to comply with rule 2.111 and avoid confusion in the case file.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out California Form AT-105 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form MC-020 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form MC-031 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form MC-040 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form MC-410 (w/Examples) + FAQs
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