California Form MC-300 is the Order Appointing Court Investigator that a probate judge signs to assign a court investigator to a guardianship or conservatorship case so the court can verify the facts before granting or continuing the appointment. It is a Judicial Council form (revision date January 1, 2007) used statewide under California Probate Code § 1513 and California Rules of Court Rule 7.1001, and it travels alongside guardianship petitions like GC-210, GC-210(P), and GC-210(CA).
If you are a proposed guardian, a relative, or a pro se filer who has just been told the judge ordered a court investigation, this article walks you through every box on MC-300, what to attach, where to file, what to pay, and what happens next. California reports more than 15,000 new probate guardianship petitions filed each year, and the Judicial Council estimates roughly 1 in 4 guardianship files receives an investigator’s report under MC-300 before final orders issue.
- 📝 How to fill out every line of MC-300, in plain English, using the January 1, 2007 revision
- ⚖️ Which California Probate Code sections drive each box, and what happens if you skip one
- 👨👩👧 Three real walk-throughs (grandparent, aunt, adult sibling) showing exactly what to write
- 💵 Current filing fees, fee waivers, and investigator costs by county
- 🚫 The 10 most common MC-300 mistakes and how to keep your case on calendar
What Form MC-300 Is and Who Must File It
Form MC-300 is the Order Appointing Court Investigator used by California Superior Courts (Probate Division) to direct a neutral court investigator to interview the proposed ward or conservatee, the proposed guardian or conservator, and other relevant people, then file a confidential report under Probate Code § 1513 (guardianships) or § 1826 (conservatorships). The judge signs the order; the petitioner usually prepares it and lodges it with the court at the same time the petition is filed, or shortly after the first hearing is set.
The proposed guardian or conservator is the person who typically files the petition that triggers MC-300. That filer is often a grandparent, aunt, uncle, adult sibling, family friend, or professional fiduciary who is asking the court to take legal responsibility for a minor or an incapacitated adult. The form itself is short, but it carries weight because the investigator’s report can decide whether the court grants the petition, sets conditions, or denies it.
MC-300 is not the petition. The petition is GC-210 (guardianship of a minor) or GC-310 (conservatorship of an adult). MC-300 is the order that puts a court-paid (or court-appointed) investigator in motion. The investigator works for the judge, not for either side, and the report is confidential under Rule 7.1001 and Probate Code § 1513(e).
If you are filing a guardianship of the person, the court will almost always order an investigator. If you are filing a guardianship of the estate only with assets under $5,000 under Probate Code § 3401, the court may waive the investigator. Your county’s local rules — Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Alameda, Santa Clara, and San Francisco all publish their own probate procedures — control whether MC-300 is mandatory at filing or set later.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather every piece of paper before you open MC-300, because the form ties together the entire case caption, the hearing date, the proposed guardian, and the proposed ward. Missing data forces a rejection at the clerk’s window or, worse, a continuance at the hearing.
- The minor’s or proposed conservatee’s full legal name, date of birth, and current address. The investigator must locate the person to interview them; a wrong address delays the report and the hearing.
- The proposed guardian’s or conservator’s full legal name, address, telephone number, and relationship to the ward. This goes in the petition and gets cross-checked against the GC-212 Confidential Guardian Screening Form.
- The case number assigned by the clerk. Without a case number, MC-300 cannot be matched to the right file.
- The hearing date, time, and department. The clerk writes this on the Notice of Hearing GC-020 when the petition is filed.
- The petition itself — usually GC-210 plus GC-210(P), GC-210(CA), GC-211, GC-212, the UCCJEA declaration FL-105/GC-150, and ICWA-010(A) — because MC-300 references the petition.
- The filing fee of $435 for a guardianship petition (current statewide fee) or a Request to Waive Court Fees FW-001 if you cannot afford it. Without one or the other, the clerk will not file the petition and MC-300 has nothing to attach to.
- A Social Security number or other identifier for the ward (kept confidential under Probate Code § 1516.5). The investigator uses it to verify school records and benefits.
- Two valid contact methods for the proposed guardian (phone and email). The investigator schedules the home visit through these.
- A statement of the ward’s current placement (with you, with a parent, in foster care). The investigator’s first stop is the ward’s daily residence.
- Any criminal history, CPS history, or restraining order history for the proposed guardian. The screening form GC-212 captures this; the investigator will pull a LiveScan report.
If any of these items is missing when you walk into the clerk’s office, expect to leave without a filed case. The investigator cannot be appointed on a case that does not exist.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official Form MC-300 is published by the Judicial Council of California and is free to download. The cleanest source is the statewide California Courts forms page, where the January 1, 2007 revision is listed under the “MC” series (miscellaneous court forms). Always confirm the revision date in the bottom-left corner before filing; courts reject obsolete revisions.
Most county Superior Courts also host a copy on their probate self-help pages. The Superior Court of San Joaquin County guardianship packet, the Los Angeles Superior Court guardianship forms packet, and the Contra Costa guardianship packet all bundle MC-300 with the GC-series forms. County packets sometimes add local cover sheets, so download from your filing county whenever possible.
You can fill the PDF on a computer using the fillable fields, then print and sign in blue or black ink. Handwritten forms are still accepted in nearly every county, but they must be legible and use only blue or black ink per the San Joaquin Court filing rules. Pencil entries are rejected on sight.
E-filing is mandatory in many California counties for represented parties and optional for pro se filers. Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Alameda, and Santa Clara all run e-filing portals through approved vendors like One Legal, File & ServeXpress, or InfoTrack. If your county requires e-filing, you upload the signed MC-300 PDF along with the petition package; the Orange County probate self-help page explains the local upload steps.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out California Form MC-300 Line by Line
The form is one page. It has a caption block at the top, a case identification block, an order body with numbered findings and orders, and a signature block for the judicial officer. Even though most boxes are short, each one carries a legal consequence under Probate Code § 1513.
Caption: Attorney or Party Without Attorney
This top-left box asks for the name, State Bar number (if any), address, telephone, fax, email, and the party the filer represents. In plain English: tell the court who is preparing the order.
To answer it, type or print your full legal name on the first line. Add your mailing address on the next two lines, then your phone and email. If you are pro se, write “In Pro Per” on the “Attorney for” line. If you are an attorney, add your State Bar number in the box marked “STATE BAR NO.”
For example, Maria Lopez, 1245 Oak Street, Fresno, CA 93702, (559) 555-0142, maria.lopez@email.com, In Pro Per (Petitioner).
A common nuance: filers who use a P.O. Box for safety reasons (domestic violence survivors, for example) may list a confidential address through a Safe at Home program substitute address. Do not list the ward’s address here.
The most common mistake is leaving “Attorney for” blank. The clerk will reject the form because the court cannot tell who lodged the order. Write In Pro Per (Petitioner) every time you are filing without a lawyer.
A misconception: many filers think this caption is optional because MC-300 is “the judge’s order.” It is not optional. The Judicial Council requires the lodging party to be identified so the clerk can return the conformed copy.
Caption: Superior Court of California, County of ___
This line names the county where the petition is filed. The county must be the county of the ward’s residence under Probate Code § 2201.
Print the county in all capital letters on the line provided. Do not write “California” because the form already says it.
For example, LOS ANGELES if the minor lives in Inglewood, or SAN DIEGO if the minor lives in Chula Vista.
A nuance arises when the minor recently moved. If the minor has lived in the new county fewer than six months, the prior county may still have jurisdiction under the UCCJEA declaration FL-105. File where the minor currently and primarily lives.
The biggest mistake here is naming the county where the proposed guardian lives instead of where the ward lives. The court will transfer or dismiss the case for improper venue.
A misconception: filers think probate venue follows the petitioner. It does not. Guardianship venue follows the minor.
Caption: Branch Address and Court Branch
Fill in the street address of the courthouse and the branch name. Many counties have multiple probate branches.
Use the address printed on the court locator. Include the branch name (e.g., Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles, Madge Bradley Building in San Diego).
For example, 111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Probate Division.
A nuance: in Los Angeles County, probate guardianships of the person are heard at Stanley Mosk; guardianships of the estate may be heard at a different department. Confirm with the LA Superior Court probate page before printing.
The frequent mistake is using the mailing address rather than the branch address. The clerk needs the branch to route the file.
A misconception: filers think any branch works. It does not. Filing at the wrong branch costs you a continuance.
Caption: Guardianship or Conservatorship of (Name)
This block names the protected person — the minor for a guardianship or the proposed conservatee for a conservatorship.
Type the ward’s full legal name in all capital letters. Add “A Minor” or “An Adult” beneath the name. If there is more than one minor, list each name on its own line and check the “Minors” box if printed on your county’s local cover.
For example, ETHAN JAMES CARTER, A Minor.
A nuance: for siblings, list each minor and file one MC-300 per case if the cases are joined. If the court assigned separate case numbers, prepare separate MC-300s.
A common mistake is using a nickname (Eth) or the surname the child uses socially when it differs from the legal surname. The investigator must match the child’s school and medical records, which use the legal name.
A misconception: filers think putting “AKA” entries here is helpful. It is not. AKAs belong on the petition, not on MC-300.
Caption: Case Number
Enter the case number assigned by the clerk when the petition was filed.
Print the number exactly as it appears on the conformed petition. Most California probate cases use a format like 24STPB01234 (Los Angeles) or 37-2024-00012345-PR-GP-CTL (San Diego).
For example, 24STPB04567.
A nuance: if you are lodging MC-300 at the same time as the petition, leave this blank — the clerk will assign and stamp the number. Do not guess.
A common mistake is copying a related family law case number. Family law cases (FL prefix) and probate cases (PR/PB prefix) are filed in different divisions.
A misconception: filers believe a missing case number invalidates the order. It does not — but the clerk will reject the lodging if you guess.
Item 1: The Court Appoints the Following Person as Court Investigator
Item 1 names the investigator. In most counties, the court appoints its own staff investigator and the petitioner leaves the name blank. In a few counties (and in private conservatorships), the petitioner proposes a private investigator on the court’s approved list.
To answer, leave the name line blank if your county uses staff investigators. The judge writes in the investigator’s name at signing. If your county requires you to propose someone, type the investigator’s full legal name and California license or court-approved roster number.
For example, in San Diego the petitioner usually leaves the line blank; the court designates a probate investigator from the San Diego Probate Court Investigators office. In a private conservatorship, you might write Jane Patel, Probate Court Investigator Roster #SD-218.
A nuance: in matters involving a Native American child, the court may appoint an investigator with ICWA expertise. Note this in Item 4 (“Other Orders”) if you have ICWA concerns.
A common mistake is naming a personal acquaintance as investigator. The investigator must be a court-approved neutral. Naming a friend will draw a rejection from the probate examiner.
A misconception: filers think they can pick any licensed PI. They cannot. The investigator must appear on the court’s roster or be a court staff investigator.
Item 2: Duties of the Investigator
Item 2 lists the investigator’s duties under Probate Code § 1513 (guardianships) or § 1826 (conservatorships). The pre-printed text covers interviewing the ward, the proposed guardian, neighbors, schools, and medical providers; reviewing court files; and filing a confidential report.
To complete it, check every box that applies. For a guardianship of the person, check the boxes calling for interviews of the minor, the proposed guardian, the parents (if living and locatable), and any other adult living in the proposed guardian’s home.
For example, Maria Lopez, petitioning for guardianship of her grandson Ethan, checks the boxes for interviews of the minor, the proposed guardian, the parents, and other adults in the household.
A nuance: if the ward is under age 4, the investigator interviews caregivers and observes the child rather than asking direct questions. Note the age in Item 4 so the investigator brings the right tools.
A common mistake is leaving Item 2 blank. The investigator then asks the court to clarify scope, which delays the report by 30–60 days.
A misconception: filers think the investigator only interviews the minor. The investigator interviews everyone in the minor’s life — schools, doctors, neighbors, and CPS if there is a history.
Item 3: Time for Filing the Report
Item 3 sets the deadline for the investigator’s report. Probate Code § 1513(a) requires the report to be filed and served at least two court days before the hearing, but counties often build in a longer cushion.
To complete it, check the box that matches your county’s local rule. Most counties direct “no later than 10 calendar days before the hearing” or “two court days before the hearing.” If your county has a local rule, copy that language verbatim from the San Joaquin guardianship packet or the equivalent local resource.
For example, No later than 10 calendar days before the hearing of August 14, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in Department 9.
A nuance: if the hearing is continued, the deadline shifts. Ask the clerk to file an amended MC-300 with the new date so the investigator does not miss the cutoff.
A common mistake is writing the petition deadline (15 court days) instead of the report deadline (2 court days). The investigator misses the window and the hearing is continued.
A misconception: filers think the investigator’s report is filed at the hearing. It is not. It must be on file before the hearing so the judge can read it.
Item 4: Other Orders
Item 4 is a catch-all box for special instructions, like ICWA inquiry, language interpreter needs, or coordination with a Family Court case.
To complete it, type or print any special instructions in plain English. Examples: The investigator shall conduct an ICWA-010(A) inquiry and identify any tribal affiliation. Or: The investigator shall coordinate with the Family Court case FL-2025-001234 regarding existing custody orders.
For example, Camila Reyes, petitioning for her younger brother Mateo (a Special Immigrant Juvenile under 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(27)(J)), writes: The investigator shall make findings on whether reunification with one or both parents is not viable due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
A nuance: SIJS findings must be requested in the petition or by separate request — MC-300 alone cannot trigger them, but it can direct the investigator to gather facts that support them.
A common mistake is leaving Item 4 blank in cases that need ICWA or SIJS coordination. The investigator then fails to gather facts the judge needs to make findings, and the hearing is continued.
A misconception: filers think Item 4 is for “extra evidence.” It is not. It is for instructions to the investigator.
Signature Block: Date and Judicial Officer
The bottom of MC-300 has a date line, a printed name line, and a signature line for the judge or commissioner. The petitioner does not sign MC-300 — only the judicial officer signs.
Leave the date and signature lines blank. Print the bench officer’s name only if your county directs you to (some examiners want the assigned department judge typed in). Otherwise the judge writes in the date and signs.
For example, Hon. Linda M. Patel, Judge of the Superior Court.
A nuance: in some counties the probate examiner pre-prints the judge’s name during examination and routes the order for signature. In others, you leave it blank and let the clerk fill it in.
A common mistake is the petitioner signing the bottom line. That voids the form because the petitioner has no authority to issue an order. Lodge it unsigned.
A misconception: filers think the order is “self-executing” once signed. It is not. The signed order must be served on the investigator (the clerk does this) before the investigator begins work.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Each scenario walks one named filer through MC-300 from caption to signature. The tables show what each person types into the major sections.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, Grandmother Petitioning After a Parent’s Death
Maria Lopez files for guardianship of her 9-year-old grandson Ethan after her daughter’s death. She is pro se and lives in Los Angeles County.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Attorney or Party | Maria Lopez, 1245 Oak St., Inglewood, CA 90301, (310) 555-0142, In Pro Per (Petitioner) |
| Superior Court | LOS ANGELES |
| Branch | 111 N. Hill Street, Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Probate Division |
| Guardianship of | ETHAN JAMES CARTER, A Minor |
| Case Number | 24STPB04567 |
| Item 1 (Investigator) | (Left blank — court designates staff investigator) |
| Item 2 (Duties) | All boxes checked: minor, proposed guardian, parents, other adults in household |
| Item 3 (Deadline) | No later than 10 calendar days before the hearing of August 14, 2026, at 8:30 a.m., Dept. 9 |
| Item 4 (Other) | Investigator shall conduct ICWA-010(A) inquiry; minor’s late mother had possible Cherokee ancestry |
| Signature | (Left blank for judge) |
Scenario 2: David Nguyen, Uncle Petitioning Because Parents Are Incarcerated
David Nguyen files for guardianship of his 6-year-old niece Lily. Both parents are incarcerated for at least three years. He is pro se in Orange County.
| Form Section | What David Enters |
|---|---|
| Attorney or Party | David Nguyen, 882 Pine Ave., Garden Grove, CA 92840, (714) 555-0188, In Pro Per (Petitioner) |
| Superior Court | ORANGE |
| Branch | 341 The City Drive South, Lamoreaux Justice Center, Probate |
| Guardianship of | LILY MAI NGUYEN, A Minor |
| Case Number | 30-2026-01345678-PR-GP-CJC |
| Item 1 (Investigator) | (Left blank — court staff investigator) |
| Item 2 (Duties) | Boxes checked: minor, proposed guardian, parents (via correctional facility), other household adults |
| Item 3 (Deadline) | No later than 10 calendar days before the hearing of September 9, 2026, at 1:30 p.m., Dept. L74 |
| Item 4 (Other) | Investigator shall arrange telephonic interviews with both parents at CDCR facilities and obtain CPS history |
| Signature | (Left blank for judge) |
Scenario 3: Camila Reyes, Adult Sister Petitioning for SIJS-Eligible Sibling
Camila Reyes, 24, files for guardianship of her 14-year-old brother Mateo, who is undocumented and seeks Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. She is pro se in Alameda County.
| Form Section | What Camila Enters |
|---|---|
| Attorney or Party | Camila Reyes, 506 14th St. #3, Oakland, CA 94612, (510) 555-0173, In Pro Per (Petitioner) |
| Superior Court | ALAMEDA |
| Branch | 2120 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley Courthouse, Probate Division |
| Guardianship of | MATEO ALEJANDRO REYES, A Minor |
| Case Number | RG26-098765 |
| Item 1 (Investigator) | (Left blank — court staff investigator with SIJS familiarity requested in Item 4) |
| Item 2 (Duties) | Boxes checked: minor, proposed guardian, parents (last known address in Honduras), school personnel |
| Item 3 (Deadline) | No later than 10 calendar days before the hearing of October 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., Dept. 201 |
| Item 4 (Other) | Investigator shall make findings supporting Probate Code § 1510.1 SIJS predicate findings: reunification not viable due to parental abandonment |
| Signature | (Left blank for judge) |
How to File the Completed Form
Filing MC-300 means lodging it with the petition or shortly after the first hearing is set. The clerk routes it to the assigned probate department; the judge signs it; the clerk serves it on the investigator.
By mail. Send the original signed petition package and the proposed MC-300 (unsigned by you) to the probate clerk at the courthouse address. The current statewide guardianship filing fee is $435, payable by check to the clerk. Include a Request to Waive Court Fees FW-001 if you cannot afford it. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope to receive the conformed copy. Expect 10–15 business days for processing.
In person. Walk the package to the probate clerk’s window during business hours. Bring two copies plus the original. The clerk stamps “Filed” on the original and a conformed copy and returns the conformed copy to you. Pay by cash, check, money order, or credit card (county-dependent). The San Joaquin court filing page lists current accepted methods.
By e-filing. In Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Alameda, and Santa Clara, e-filing is mandatory for represented parties. Upload the petition package and MC-300 through your county’s approved vendor; the Orange County Probate Self-Help page lists the steps. The fee is paid online; processing usually takes 1–3 business days.
By fax. A handful of counties allow fax filing through approved fax-filing agents under California Rules of Court Rule 2.300. Confirm with your local clerk before relying on fax.
Investigator fee. Beyond the $435 filing fee, the court charges an investigator fee of $300 to $1,000 depending on the county under Probate Code § 1513.1. Los Angeles charges roughly $700 for the initial guardianship investigation. The fee can also be waived through FW-001.
Proof of filing. Keep the conformed copy with the clerk’s “Filed” stamp. That stamp is your proof that MC-300 was lodged. If you e-filed, save the electronic confirmation receipt as a PDF.
What Happens After You File
Once the judge signs MC-300, the clerk transmits a copy to the assigned investigator. The investigator opens a file, contacts the proposed guardian within 10 to 14 days, and schedules a home visit and interviews. The investigator may also request school records, medical records, and CPS history under Probate Code § 1513(b).
The investigator interviews the minor (in an age-appropriate way), the proposed guardian, the parents if reachable, and other adults in the home. The visit usually lasts 60–90 minutes. The investigator may speak with teachers, pediatricians, and therapists by phone.
The investigator then files a confidential report with the court at least 10 calendar days before the hearing in most counties (or 2 court days before, at minimum, under § 1513(a)). The report is sealed under § 1513(e) and is available only to the judge, the parties, and their attorneys. Foster youth advocates receive copies through the Children’s Law Center of California where applicable.
At the hearing, the judge reads the report, asks the proposed guardian questions, and either grants the petition, sets conditions, continues the hearing for more information, or denies the petition. The investigator may attend if the judge requests live testimony, but most reports stand on their written record.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Form MC-300 is short, but the consequences of small errors are large. The probate examiner reviews the petition package before the hearing and flags any defect; uncorrected defects trigger continuances of 30–60 days.
- Wrong county in the caption. The case is dismissed or transferred, costing weeks.
- Naming a non-roster investigator in Item 1. The order is rejected and must be re-lodged.
- Leaving Item 2 blank. The investigator asks for clarification, delaying the report.
- Writing the petition deadline (15 court days) in Item 3 instead of the report deadline. The investigator misses the window.
- Petitioner signing the bottom line. The order is void.
- Using a nickname for the minor. Records do not match.
- Skipping Item 4 in ICWA or SIJS cases. The investigator does not gather the right facts.
- Filing without a hearing date. The clerk cannot set the report deadline.
- Forgetting the $435 filing fee or FW-001. The petition (and therefore MC-300) never gets filed.
- Using an obsolete revision of MC-300. Anything older than January 1, 2007 is rejected.
- Listing the proposed guardian’s address as the ward’s address. The investigator visits the wrong home.
- Failing to amend MC-300 after a hearing continuance. The investigator misses the new date.
Do’s and Don’ts
A short list to keep your case moving:
- Do download the form fresh from California Courts every time, because revisions can change without notice.
- Do print or sign in blue or black ink only, because pencil and other colors are rejected.
- Do type the ward’s full legal name in ALL CAPS, because it matches the petition caption.
- Do lodge MC-300 unsigned by the petitioner, because only the judge signs orders.
- Do keep a conformed copy, because that stamp is your proof of filing.
- Do amend MC-300 promptly after any continuance, because the report deadline shifts with the hearing.
- Don’t guess the case number, because guessing creates a duplicate or orphaned filing.
- Don’t name a personal acquaintance as investigator, because investigators must be court-approved neutrals.
- Don’t sign the judicial officer’s signature line, because that voids the order.
- Don’t use a P.O. Box for the ward, because the investigator needs a physical address to visit.
- Don’t combine MC-300 with unrelated motions, because each order travels on its own form.
- Don’t assume the court “just knows” you need an ICWA or SIJS investigation — write it in Item 4.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With an Attorney
Many California guardianship petitioners file pro se. The choice between pro se filing and hiring a probate attorney comes down to complexity, cost, and confidence.
Pros of filing on your own:
- Cost savings, because California probate guardianship attorneys typically charge $3,000–$7,500 flat for an uncontested petition.
- Full control over timing, because you set your own pace.
- Direct relationship with the court, because the judge sees you, not a stand-in.
- Free help is available through court self-help centers and legal aid groups like Public Counsel.
- Simple cases (one minor, willing parents) move quickly, because the petition package is straightforward.
Cons of filing on your own:
- Risk of rejection at the clerk’s window, because small caption errors are common.
- Risk of continuance at the hearing, because probate examiners flag defects you may not catch.
- No legal advice on hard issues like ICWA, SIJS, or contested petitions.
- Time burden, because preparing the full GC-210 package can take 10–20 hours.
- Emotional strain, because guardianships often follow a parent’s death or family crisis.
Pros of hiring an attorney: the attorney prepares every form, attends the hearing, handles ICWA and SIJS findings, and absorbs the procedural risk. Their flat-fee structure includes the investigator coordination and post-hearing letters.
Cons of hiring an attorney: the cost, the loss of direct control, and the sometimes-impersonal handling of a deeply personal case.
FAQs
Is MC-300 the same as the guardianship petition?
No. MC-300 is the Order Appointing Court Investigator. The petition is GC-210, GC-210(P), and related forms. MC-300 travels with the petition.
Do I sign MC-300?
No. Only the judicial officer signs MC-300. The petitioner lodges it unsigned for the judge to sign.
What revision date should I use?
Yes, use the January 1, 2007 revision printed in the bottom-left corner of the official Judicial Council form, which remains current for MC-300.
Do I write my name in Item 1?
No. Leave Item 1 blank in most counties; the court designates a staff investigator. Only fill in Item 1 if your county requires a proposed roster investigator.
Do I write the hearing date or the report date in Item 3?
Yes, write both. Reference the hearing date and time, then state the report deadline (commonly 10 calendar days before the hearing).
What if the minor lives in a different county than I do?
No, you cannot file in your county. File in the county where the minor lives, because guardianship venue follows the ward.
How much does the investigator cost?
Yes, there is a fee. California counties charge $300–$1,000 for the initial investigation under Probate Code § 1513.1, with a fee waiver available through FW-001.
Can I waive the filing fee and the investigator fee?
Yes. File FW-001 at the same time as the petition. Approval waives both the $435 filing fee and the investigator fee.
Do I need to fill out Item 4 if my case is straightforward?
No. Leave Item 4 blank for routine cases. Use it only for ICWA, SIJS, language interpreters, or coordination with a Family Court case.
What if I write the wrong case number?
No, do not guess. If the case number is unknown, leave it blank and let the clerk stamp it on filing.
Does the investigator’s report decide my case?
No, the judge decides. The report is influential but advisory under Probate Code § 1513.
Is MC-300 confidential?
No, MC-300 itself is part of the public file. The investigator’s report is confidential under Probate Code § 1513(e).
What if my hearing gets continued?
Yes, lodge an amended MC-300 with the new hearing date so the investigator’s deadline shifts with it.
Do I need to serve MC-300 on anyone?
No. The clerk transmits the signed order to the investigator. The petitioner does not serve MC-300 on the parents or the minor.
Can I e-file MC-300 in Los Angeles?
Yes. Los Angeles requires e-filing for represented parties through approved vendors, and pro se filers may use the LA Court e-filing portal.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out California Form GC-310 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form GC-330 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form GC-501 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form GC-405 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form GC-275 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form GC-385 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form GC-200 (w/Examples) + FAQs