California Form MC-040 is the Notice of Change of Address or Other Contact Information that any party, attorney, witness, or other case participant files with the superior court to update their mailing address, telephone number, fax number, or email address in a pending civil, family, probate, small claims, or other Judicial Council case. The form carries a Judicial Council revision date of January 1, 2009, and it is mandatory under California Rules of Court, rule 2.200 for attorneys and strongly advised for self-represented parties under Code of Civil Procedure section 1013.
Filers who skip this notice quickly learn the cost: the court keeps mailing notices, tentative rulings, and orders to the old address, and the filer is legally deemed to have received them under the mailbox rule. The Judicial Council processes more than 6.7 million civil case filings each year across California’s 58 superior courts, and clerk surveys regularly cite outdated contact information as one of the top three reasons hearings get missed and default judgments enter against absent parties.
- 📍 How to complete every box on MC-040 line by line, with sample entries
- ⚖️ Which statutes and Rules of Court make this notice mandatory
- 📬 How to serve the notice on every other party using POS-030 or POS-040
- 🗂️ Three full filled-out scenarios for civil, family, and probate filers
- 🚫 The 10 most common mistakes filers make and the exact consequences
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
MC-040 is a one-page Judicial Council form used statewide to tell the court and every other party that your contact information has changed. It is filed in the same case where you are already a party, attorney of record, guardian ad litem, witness under subpoena, juror in a civil case, or any other person who previously gave the court an address. The form replaces the old practice of writing letters to the clerk, which courts no longer accept because letters do not get scanned into the case docket the way a Judicial Council form does.
Attorneys are required to file MC-040 (or an equivalent notice) under California Rules of Court, rule 2.200, which says a member of the State Bar whose address changes must give written notice within a reasonable time to every party in every pending action. The State Bar separately requires attorneys to update their membership records within 30 days under Business and Professions Code section 6002.1, but updating the State Bar does not update the court file. Self-represented litigants are not named in rule 2.200, but every superior court treats MC-040 as the standard way for pro se parties to update the docket.
The form is accepted in unlimited civil, limited civil, small claims, family law, probate, conservatorship, guardianship, juvenile dependency, and civil harassment cases. It is not used in criminal cases, where defendants must instead notify the court and probation in writing under local rules, and it is not used in appellate proceedings, where California Rules of Court, rule 8.32 governs change of address in the Court of Appeal and California Supreme Court.
A common misconception is that filing a change-of-address card with USPS is enough. It is not. USPS forwarding lasts 12 months, the court’s mailings are often marked “Do Not Forward,” and many service envelopes from opposing counsel are sent by personal courier or electronic service that USPS forwarding cannot redirect.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gathering the right information before opening MC-040 prevents trips back to the clerk’s window and keeps your case moving. The form looks short, but every box has consequences if it is wrong, and the clerk will reject filings that are missing the case number, the caption, or the signature.
Here is the pre-filing checklist. Each item matters because the court matches your notice against the existing case file, and any mismatch can cause the notice to be filed in the wrong case or rejected outright.
- Case number. Without it, the clerk cannot route your notice to the correct file, and a misrouted MC-040 means future mail still goes to your old address.
- Exact case caption. The plaintiff and defendant names must match the complaint exactly, because the clerk’s docketing software searches on caption text.
- Court name and branch. California has 58 superior courts and many have multiple branches; using the wrong branch name can delay scanning by days.
- Your role in the case. You must check whether you are the plaintiff, defendant, petitioner, respondent, attorney, or other party so the clerk updates the correct contact record.
- Your old address on file. You need the address the court currently has, not the address you actually lived at, because the form asks what is being replaced.
- Your new address, phone, fax, and email. All four fields appear on the form and any one of them can be updated.
- A list of every other party and attorney in the case. You will serve each of them with a copy of MC-040, so you need names and current service addresses.
- A completed Proof of Service by First-Class Mail (POS-030) or Proof of Personal Service (POS-040). Service is mandatory and the proof goes to the court with the notice.
- State Bar number, if you are an attorney. Rule 2.200 and local rules require it in the top-left attorney block.
- Two extra copies of the completed form. One for your records, one for the clerk to conform and return to you.
If any item is missing, the clerk may still accept the filing, but service on other parties will be defective and any subsequent default, dismissal, or judgment can be attacked under Code of Civil Procedure section 473.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official MC-040 lives on the California Courts self-help website. Download the fillable PDF directly from the Judicial Council MC-040 page, which is the only version California superior courts will accept. Photocopies of older revisions are accepted in most counties as long as the form number and revision date are legible, but newly downloaded copies are safer because they include the current barcode in the lower-right corner.
Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese reference translations are posted on the Judicial Council’s translated forms index, but the actual filing must be submitted in English. Translations are reference-only; the clerk will reject a Spanish-language MC-040 because California courts of record operate in English under Government Code section 68450.
Many county law libraries — including the Los Angeles Law Library and the San Diego Law Library — keep printed MC-040 forms at their public terminals for free. Self-help centers at every superior court also stock the form and will hand out blank copies on request. The court’s Self-Help Center locator shows the address and hours for every county.
If you are filing electronically, your e-filing service provider — such as One Legal, File & ServeXpress, Odyssey eFileCA, or a county-run portal like the Los Angeles Superior Court e-filing portal — will accept a PDF of the completed form. The PDF must be text-searchable and unlocked, because California Rules of Court rule 2.256 requires e-filed documents to be in a format the court can index.
A common misconception is that you can fill out MC-040 online and “submit” it through the Judicial Council website. You cannot. The Judicial Council publishes forms; it does not receive filings. Every MC-040 must be filed in the superior court where the case is pending.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out MC-040 Line by Line
MC-040 has a top caption block, four numbered sections in the body, a date line, a printed-name line, and a signature line. Each field has its own H3 below. Fill the form in black ink if completing by hand, or type into the fillable PDF and print it. The Judicial Council does not allow pencil, blue ink, or correction fluid on filed forms.
Attorney or Party Without Attorney Block (Top-Left Caption)
What the field asks in plain English. This is the box in the upper-left corner asking for the name, State Bar number, address, and contact information of the person filing the form.
How to answer it. Print your full legal name on the first line. If you are an attorney, add your State Bar number after your name in the format State Bar No. 123456. On the next lines, write your firm name (if any), street address, city, state, ZIP, telephone, fax, and email. Then write the name of the party you represent on the line that says “Attorney For (Name):”. If you are pro se, write In Pro Per or Self-Represented.
A specific example answer. Maria Lopez, a pro se defendant, writes Maria Lopez on the name line, leaves the State Bar line blank, writes 1450 Sunset Boulevard, Apt. 3B, Los Angeles, CA 90026 as her address, (323) 555-0148 as her phone, and In Pro Per on the “Attorney For” line.
A nuance or edge case. If you are filing MC-040 because this address block is changing, write your new address here, not your old one. The caption block always reflects current contact information, and the body of the form explains what changed.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers often leave the “Attorney For” line blank because they think it is optional. The clerk’s docketing software then cannot link the notice to a specific party record, and the contact update is delayed or applied to the wrong party.
A misconception people hold about this field. Many filers believe the State Bar number is optional for attorneys. It is not — California Rules of Court, rule 2.111 requires the State Bar number on every paper filed by an attorney, and clerks reject papers that omit it.
Court Name and Branch Block (Top-Right Caption)
What the field asks in plain English. This is the box that names which superior court your case is in and which courthouse branch.
How to answer it. Write Superior Court of California, County of [County Name], then on the next line write the street address of the courthouse, then the city and ZIP, then the branch name (such as Stanley Mosk Courthouse or Central Justice Center).
A specific example answer. Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles / 111 N. Hill Street / Los Angeles, CA 90012 / Stanley Mosk Courthouse.
A nuance or edge case. Multi-branch counties such as Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, and Alameda assign cases to specific branches based on case type. If you write the wrong branch, the clerk may transfer the filing internally, which adds days. Confirm the branch by checking your most recent court notice or running your case number through the Los Angeles Superior Court case access portal or your county’s equivalent.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers write Los Angeles County Superior Court instead of Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. Clerks usually accept this, but in strict counties the filing is rejected for non-conforming caption.
A misconception people hold about this field. People assume the court block is decorative. It is not — it tells the clerk which physical file room receives the document, and a wrong county sends the form to the wrong court entirely.
Case Caption: Plaintiff/Petitioner and Defendant/Respondent
What the field asks in plain English. This is where you list the parties exactly as they appear on the original complaint or petition.
How to answer it. On the “Plaintiff/Petitioner” line, write the full name of the first plaintiff or petitioner; if there are multiple, you may write the first name followed by , et al. On the “Defendant/Respondent” line, do the same for the first defendant or respondent.
A specific example answer. In a divorce, Maria Lopez writes In re the Marriage of Maria Lopez and David Lopez across both lines, or splits it as Petitioner: Maria Lopez and Respondent: David Lopez.
A nuance or edge case. In probate cases, the caption reads Estate of [Decedent’s Name], Deceased, with no plaintiff/defendant. Use that exact format and leave the defendant line blank.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers shorten names, drop middle initials, or change the order. The docketing software then fails to match the caption to the case number and the clerk pulls the filing for manual review, delaying the address update.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers think they can correct a misspelled party name on MC-040. They cannot — MC-040 only updates contact information. Misspellings of party names are corrected by motion under Code of Civil Procedure section 473(a).
Case Number Box
What the field asks in plain English. The unique number the court assigned to your case when it was filed.
How to answer it. Copy the case number exactly from your most recent court document, including all letters, numbers, hyphens, and county prefixes. Do not add spaces.
A specific example answer. Maria Lopez’s divorce case number in Los Angeles is 24STFL00482. She writes that exact string in the case-number box.
A nuance or edge case. Some counties use multiple formats during transitions (for example, Orange County moved from 30-2023-01234567-CU-PA-CJC style to shorter formats). Always use the format printed on the most recent court order.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers transpose digits or drop the county prefix. The clerk files the notice under a different case (or rejects it), and your old address stays in the system.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers believe the case number is the same as the court’s internal docket reference. It is not — the docket reference is internal and not used on filings.
Item 1: Old Information
What the field asks in plain English. Item 1 asks for the old mailing address, telephone, fax, and email that the court currently has on file for you.
How to answer it. Copy the contact information exactly as it appears on the last document you filed or received in the case. Use the same capitalization, abbreviations, and apartment number format. If only one piece of information is changing (for example, only your phone), still fill in the old version of the field that is changing and leave the unchanged fields blank or write No change.
A specific example answer. Maria writes Old Address: 220 W. 5th Street, Apt. 9, Los Angeles, CA 90013 / Old Telephone: (213) 555-0199 / Old Email: mlopez1985@email.com.
A nuance or edge case. If your old address was a P.O. Box and your new address is a street address (or vice versa), say so explicitly in item 1 — the clerk reads the old field literally, and a P.O. Box that is missing the P.O. Box prefix will not match.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers leave item 1 blank, thinking the court already knows the old address. The clerk then has no anchor to confirm whose record to update, and the change can be applied to a similarly named party.
A misconception people hold about this field. People believe the form only needs the new information. The Judicial Council form expressly asks for both old and new because it functions as a substitution of contact information, not just a unilateral update.
Item 2: New Information
What the field asks in plain English. Item 2 asks for the new mailing address, telephone, fax, and email that the court should use going forward.
How to answer it. Write the complete new street address, including apartment, suite, or unit number. Use MM/DD/YYYY format if the form asks when the change is effective. Provide a working phone number where you can be reached during court hours, a current email if you accept electronic service, and a fax only if you actively monitor one.
A specific example answer. Maria writes New Address: 1450 Sunset Boulevard, Apt. 3B, Los Angeles, CA 90026 / New Telephone: (323) 555-0148 / New Email: maria.lopez.new@email.com / Effective: 06/01/2026.
A nuance or edge case. If you are entering an email for the first time and you want electronic service, you must also file Form EFS-005-CV (Consent to Electronic Service) under Code of Civil Procedure section 1010.6. MC-040 alone does not consent to e-service.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers write a P.O. Box without including the box number, or omit the apartment number. Mail then gets returned to the court as undeliverable, the court flags your file as “no current address,” and you may be deemed to have abandoned the case.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers think providing an email automatically opts them into electronic service. It does not — providing the email merely lets parties contact you informally. Formal e-service still requires affirmative consent on EFS-005-CV.
Item 3: List of Cases Affected (When Used)
What the field asks in plain English. Some attorneys file one MC-040 to update multiple cases at once. Item 3 (when present on the version you download, or as an attachment) lists every case the change applies to.
How to answer it. List each case by full caption and case number. If the list runs more than four cases, attach an MC-025 (Attachment) page and write See MC-025 Attachment in item 3.
A specific example answer. Attorney James Chen, who has 12 active cases, attaches MC-025 listing all 12 captions and case numbers, and writes See Attachment MC-025, pages 1–2 on item 3.
A nuance or edge case. Even when one MC-040 lists multiple cases, you must file a copy in each case file. Clerks will not cross-file across multiple case numbers from a single original.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Attorneys list multiple cases but file only one original. Only the case where the original is filed gets updated; the others retain the old address and notices keep going there.
A misconception people hold about this field. Attorneys think a single mass notice replaces individual filings. It does not — each case requires its own conformed copy on the docket.
Item 4: Signature, Date, and Printed Name
What the field asks in plain English. The signature block at the bottom verifies that the information is true and that you are the person making the change.
How to answer it. Print your full name on the “Type or Print Name” line. Sign in ink (or use a digital signature compliant with Code of Civil Procedure section 1010.6(b) for e-filing) on the signature line. Date the form using MM/DD/YYYY format on the date line.
A specific example answer. Maria prints Maria Lopez, signs Maria Lopez in blue or black ink, and dates the form 05/26/2026.
A nuance or edge case. If an attorney is signing on behalf of a client, the attorney signs and prints their own name, not the client’s, because rule 2.200 requires the attorney to update their own contact information. If the client’s address is changing, the client must sign, not the attorney.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers print the name but forget to sign, or sign but forget to date. The clerk rejects unsigned forms outright, and undated forms are sometimes accepted but later challenged for ambiguity about when service occurred.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers believe a typed name in the fillable PDF counts as a signature. It does not, unless it is a true electronic signature under section 1010.6(b) and the court accepts e-signatures. For paper filing, ink is required.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three full walkthroughs. Each follows one named filer through the entire form. Two-column tables show what each filer writes in each section.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez — Pro Se Divorce Petitioner
Maria filed for divorce in Los Angeles in March 2024 and moved out of the marital apartment in May 2026. She is pro se.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Attorney/Party Block | Maria Lopez, In Pro Per, 1450 Sunset Blvd. Apt. 3B, Los Angeles, CA 90026, (323) 555-0148, maria.lopez.new@email.com |
| Court Name/Branch | Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, Stanley Mosk Courthouse |
| Petitioner | Maria Lopez |
| Respondent | David Lopez |
| Case Number | 24STFL00482 |
| Item 1 (Old) | 220 W. 5th St., Apt. 9, Los Angeles, CA 90013; (213) 555-0199; mlopez1985@email.com |
| Item 2 (New) | 1450 Sunset Blvd., Apt. 3B, Los Angeles, CA 90026; (323) 555-0148; maria.lopez.new@email.com; effective 06/01/2026 |
| Date and Signature | 05/26/2026 — Maria Lopez |
Scenario 2: James Chen — Civil Defense Attorney with Firm Move
James, State Bar No. 245678, is moving his firm from downtown San Diego to La Jolla and updating 12 active cases.
| Form Section | What James Enters |
|---|---|
| Attorney/Party Block | James Chen, State Bar No. 245678, Chen & Associates, 4350 Executive Dr., Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92121, (858) 555-0212, jchen@chenlaw.com, Attorney For: Defendant ABC Corp. |
| Court Name/Branch | Superior Court of California, County of San Diego, 330 W. Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101, Hall of Justice |
| Plaintiff | Acme Industries, Inc. |
| Defendant | ABC Corp., et al. |
| Case Number | 37-2024-00012345-CU-BC-CTL |
| Item 1 (Old) | 600 B St., Suite 1500, San Diego, CA 92101; (619) 555-0144; fax (619) 555-0145 |
| Item 2 (New) | 4350 Executive Dr., Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92121; (858) 555-0212; fax (858) 555-0213; effective 07/01/2026 |
| Item 3 (Other Cases) | See Attachment MC-025, listing 11 additional cases |
| Date and Signature | 05/26/2026 — James Chen |
Scenario 3: Janet Williams — Probate Petitioner
Janet is the petitioner in her late father’s probate case in Orange County and moved across town.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Attorney/Party Block | Janet Williams, In Pro Per, 88 Magnolia Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626, (714) 555-0133, jwilliams@email.com |
| Court Name/Branch | Superior Court of California, County of Orange, 341 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868, Costa Mesa Justice Complex (Probate) |
| Caption | Estate of Robert Williams, Deceased |
| Case Number | 30-2025-01298765-PR-PW-CJC |
| Item 1 (Old) | 12 Aliso Lane, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656; (949) 555-0177; rwilliams.estate@email.com |
| Item 2 (New) | 88 Magnolia Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626; (714) 555-0133; jwilliams@email.com; effective 05/15/2026 |
| Item 3 | Not applicable — single case |
| Proof of Service | Attached POS-030 to administrator, two beneficiaries, and creditor |
| Date and Signature | 05/26/2026 — Janet Williams |
A fourth named filer, Marcus Reed, is a small claims plaintiff in Alameda who updates his phone-only change. A fifth, Aisha Patel, is a respondent in a civil harassment restraining order case in Sacramento who updates her email so she can receive electronic service after filing EFS-005-CV.
How to File the Completed Form
You file MC-040 in the superior court where the case is pending, and you must also serve a copy on every other party. Filing without serving is defective service, and serving without filing leaves the court’s record unchanged. Both steps are required.
By mail. Send the original plus one copy to the clerk’s office at the courthouse address printed in the caption, with a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can return a conformed copy. There is no filing fee for MC-040 under the Statewide Civil Fee Schedule, which lists no fee for change-of-address notices. Processing takes 5–10 business days. Keep the conformed copy as proof of filing.
In person. Take the original plus two copies to the clerk’s window during business hours (typically 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except court holidays listed on the California Courts holiday schedule). The clerk stamps all copies, keeps the original, and hands you back the conformed copies. Processing is immediate.
By fax (where allowed). A handful of counties still accept fax filing under California Rules of Court, rule 2.300. Confirm with your specific court before sending. Fax filing usually carries a per-page fee paid to the fax filing agency, not the court.
Electronically. Most California superior courts now require or permit e-filing through approved providers such as One Legal, File & ServeXpress, or Odyssey eFileCA. Counties like Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Sacramento, Alameda, and San Francisco require e-filing for represented parties in civil and many family cases. The provider charges a transmission fee (typically $5–$15) but the court fee is still $0. Processing is usually next business day. Keep the file-stamped PDF as proof of filing.
Service on other parties. Every other party (and their attorney, if represented) must receive a copy. Service is by first-class mail with POS-030, by personal delivery with POS-040, or by electronic service when consent has been given. The proof of service is filed with the MC-040 or shortly after.
What Happens After You File
Once the clerk accepts and conforms MC-040, the clerk’s office updates the contact record in the case management system, usually within 1–3 business days for in-person filings and 5–10 business days for mail filings. The conformed copy is your receipt and your evidence that the update was made. Keep it with your case file.
From that point forward, the court mails notices, minute orders, tentative rulings, and judgments to your new address. Opposing parties who were properly served with MC-040 are required to use your new address in their proofs of service under Code of Civil Procedure section 1013. If they keep using your old address after being served with MC-040, their service is defective, and you may move to set aside any resulting order under Code of Civil Procedure section 473(b).
If you provided a new email and filed EFS-005-CV, electronic service through your e-filing service provider’s portal begins immediately for new documents. You should monitor that inbox daily, because California Rules of Court rule 2.251 deems documents served the moment they are transmitted, regardless of whether you open the email.
A common misconception is that filing MC-040 also updates the State Bar, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Secretary of State, and other agencies. It does not. Each agency has its own change-of-address process, and an MC-040 only updates the specific case file in the specific court where it is filed.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
These are the errors that cause the most rejections, defective service rulings, and missed-hearing defaults. Each one is fixable, but only if caught early.
- Wrong case number. The notice goes into the wrong file and your real case still shows the old address.
- Missing case caption. The clerk cannot match the form to a case and rejects it at intake.
- Skipping item 1 (old information). The clerk has no anchor to confirm whose record to update, and the change may be applied to the wrong party.
- Forgetting to sign. Unsigned forms are rejected immediately under California Rules of Court, rule 2.257.
- Forgetting to serve other parties. Service is mandatory, and an unserved MC-040 does not bind opposing parties under section 1013.
- Filing without a proof of service. The court may accept the notice but it is procedurally defective, and any later motion may be denied.
- Mixing up old and new addresses. Switching the two boxes makes the court update to your old address, which is the opposite of what you wanted.
- Listing an email without filing EFS-005-CV. You think you have consented to electronic service when you have not, and you miss e-served documents.
- Using a P.O. Box without writing P.O. Box. Mail bounces back as undeliverable and the court flags the file.
- Filing one MC-040 for multiple cases without filing copies in each case. Only the original case gets updated.
- Writing the wrong court branch. The form goes to the right county but the wrong courthouse, adding days to processing.
- Using pencil or erasable ink. Clerks reject documents not in permanent ink under rule 2.104.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do download the latest MC-040 from the Judicial Council forms page every time you file, because revisions happen.
- Do fill in both items 1 and 2 even when only one piece of information is changing.
- Do attach a completed POS-030 or POS-040 every single time.
- Do keep a conformed copy in your case binder; it is your only proof the change was made.
- Do file a separate MC-040 in each case if you have more than one pending matter.
- Do check your court’s local rules — counties like Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange layer additional formatting rules on top of the statewide rules.
Don’ts
- Don’t rely on USPS forwarding as a substitute for filing MC-040.
- Don’t forget your State Bar number if you are an attorney.
- Don’t assume the clerk will call you about errors; most rejections come back by mail days later.
- Don’t sign for someone else, even a family member or client; signatures must be the filer’s own.
- Don’t use white-out, correction tape, or pencil.
- Don’t provide an email address for service unless you actually monitor it daily.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Many filers handle MC-040 themselves because the form is short and the fee is zero. Others hire help because errors on a contact-information notice can cascade into missed hearings and default judgments.
Pros of filing pro se
- No filing fee and no attorney fee, so total out-of-pocket is only the cost of postage and copies.
- Direct control over what is filed and when, so the change happens on your timeline.
- Filing is fast — most filers finish the form in 15 minutes.
- The Judicial Council form is short and standardized, so the learning curve is small.
- Self-help centers at every superior court will review your draft for free under the California Courts self-help program.
Cons of filing pro se
- You are responsible for serving every other party correctly, which trips up most pro se filers.
- You must track which county-specific local rules apply, which can be confusing in mandatory e-filing counties.
- A defective MC-040 may not be flagged until you miss a hearing or get a default judgment.
- You bear the risk that an error means notices keep going to your old address.
- You must navigate e-filing portals on your own, which can be expensive in transmission fees if you make repeated rejected submissions.
FAQs
Is there a filing fee for MC-040?
No. MC-040 has no filing fee under the Statewide Civil Fee Schedule. E-filing providers may charge a separate transmission fee of roughly $5 to $15.
Do I have to serve MC-040 on every other party?
Yes. Service is mandatory under Code of Civil Procedure section 1013, and a proof of service (POS-030 or POS-040) must accompany or follow the filing.
Can I update only my email and leave my address blank?
Yes. You may update any single field. Fill in only the field that is changing in items 1 and 2, and write No change on the others.
Do I need to write my State Bar number if I am self-represented?
No. State Bar numbers apply only to attorneys. Self-represented parties write In Pro Per on the “Attorney For” line and leave the State Bar number blank.
Does MC-040 update my address with the State Bar of California?
No. Attorneys must update the State Bar separately within 30 days under Business and Professions Code section 6002.1. MC-040 only updates the court file.
Can I file one MC-040 for several pending cases at once?
Yes. You may attach MC-025 listing every case, but you must file a copy of MC-040 in each case so every docket reflects the change.
Is MC-040 used in criminal cases?
No. Criminal defendants follow local rules and probation department procedures. MC-040 is for civil, family, probate, small claims, and similar Judicial Council case types.
Do I write my old or new address in the top-left attorney/party block?
Yes, write your new address there. The caption block always reflects current contact information; items 1 and 2 in the body explain the change.
What if I have a P.O. Box and a street address — which goes in item 2?
Yes, list whichever address you want the court to use for service. You may include both, but the first listed address is treated as the primary service address.
Do I need to file Form EFS-005-CV if I list an email on MC-040?
Yes, if you want formal electronic service. EFS-005-CV is the only way to consent to e-service under Code of Civil Procedure section 1010.6.
Can I sign MC-040 with a digital signature?
Yes, when the court accepts e-filing and the signature complies with section 1010.6(b). For paper filing, you must sign in ink.
How long does it take for the court to update my address after I file?
Yes, expect 1 to 3 business days for in-person and e-filed notices, and 5 to 10 business days for mailed notices. Keep the conformed copy as proof.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out California Form MC-025 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form MC-030 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form MC-050 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form POS-050 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form MC-410 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form MC-005 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form CIV-010 (w/Examples) + FAQs