How to Fill Out California Form MC-410 (w/Examples) + FAQs

California Form MC-410 is the Request for Accommodations by Persons With Disabilities and Response, a Judicial Council form that any person with a disability uses to ask a California state court for an accommodation under California Rules of Court, Rule 1.100. The form lets litigants, witnesses, jurors, attorneys, and court visitors ask for changes like sign language interpreters, ground-floor courtrooms, remote appearances, large-print documents, or extra time, and it forces the court to respond in writing.

Filing this form on time matters because Rule 1.100 requires requests at least 5 court days before the hearing, and a missed deadline can mean an accommodation is not in place when you walk into the courthouse. The Judicial Council reports that California courts handle thousands of MC-410 requests each year, and disability rights data from Disability Rights California shows that denied or delayed accommodations are one of the top access-to-justice complaints in the state.

Here is what you will learn in this guide:

• 📝 How to fill out every box on the current revision of Form MC-410 line by line
• 🧑‍⚖️ How Rule 1.100 protects your privacy and limits what medical proof a court can ask for
• 📬 How to submit the form by email, mail, fax, in person, or through your county’s ADA coordinator
• ⏰ How the 5-court-day deadline works and what to do when you need help sooner
• 🚫 The most common mistakes filers make on Items 4, 5, and 7, and how to avoid them

What Form MC-410 Is and Who Must File It

Form MC-410 is the official Judicial Council form California courts use to receive and respond to disability accommodation requests. The form has two parts. The top half is the Request for Accommodations, which the person with a disability fills in. The bottom half is the Response, which the court’s ADA coordinator or designee fills in after reviewing the request. The current revision date is printed in the lower-left corner of the form, and you should always download a fresh copy from courts.ca.gov to be sure you are using the current version.

You must file MC-410 if you have a physical, mental, or sensory disability and you need a change in court rules, practices, or procedures to use the court. This includes parties to a case, witnesses, prospective and seated jurors, attorneys with disabilities, court-appointed counsel, family members supporting a litigant, and members of the public attending hearings. The right to request accommodations comes from Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, California Government Code §11135, and Civil Code §51.

You do not have to file MC-410 to get an accommodation. Rule 1.100(c) lets you ask in writing, in person, or by phone. The form is just the cleanest way to create a record, lock in the 5-court-day clock, and force a written response that you can appeal if denied.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Pulling these items together first will save you a second trip to the courthouse and stop the court from sending the form back as incomplete. The court is not allowed to ask for proof of disability in most cases under Rule 1.100(c)(4), but it can ask for limited information when the disability or need is not obvious.

• Your full legal name as it appears on your case caption, because a name mismatch can stop the clerk from matching the request to your file.
• Case name and case number from the top of any prior filing, since requests filed without a case number sit in a general queue and may not reach your assigned judge in time.
• Department or courtroom number for the hearing, because accommodations like a ground-floor courtroom require the ADA coordinator to coordinate with that department.
• Hearing date and time, used to calculate the 5-court-day clock and decide if the court must rush the response.
• A clear description of your disability in your own words, written at the level of detail you are comfortable sharing because Rule 1.100(c)(4) limits what the court can require.
• A specific accommodation you are asking for, such as ASL interpreter, real-time captioning (CART), remote Zoom appearance, or large-print 18-point documents, because vague requests get denied or delayed.
• The date you need the accommodation by, since requests without a date are treated as non-urgent.
• Your phone number and email, so the ADA coordinator can confirm details quickly without mailing letters back and forth.
• Optional supporting letter from a doctor, therapist, vocational rehabilitation counselor, or social worker, only if you choose to share one or the court asks for limited verification.
• Your county’s ADA coordinator contact info, found on each Superior Court website under “Accessibility” or “ADA.”

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

Download the official fillable PDF of Form MC-410 directly from the California Courts self-help site. The form is also linked from the Judicial Council’s Disability Accommodation page and the Forms section of courts.ca.gov. Always pull a fresh copy on the day you file because the Judicial Council updates Judicial Council forms periodically and clerks reject outdated versions.

You can fill the form on a computer using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader, or print it and write in black or blue ink. The PDF is screen-reader accessible, and most counties also accept handwritten copies if you print neatly in block letters. If you cannot use a computer or printer, every California Superior Court clerk’s office must give you a paper copy on request, and many counties post stacks of MC-410 in the self-help center.

Filers who use assistive technology can request the form in alternate formats, such as Braille or large print, by contacting the local ADA coordinator. The Judicial Council’s Center for Families, Children & the Courts and Disability Rights California both publish plain-language guides that walk through the form for free.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form MC-410 Line by Line

The line-by-line walkthrough below tracks the boxes printed on the current revision of MC-410. Use the exact box numbers below when you fill in your form, and italicized text shows what a sample entry looks like.

Caption Box: Court Name, Street Address, City, and ZIP

The top-left caption asks for the Superior Court of California, County of _____, plus the street address, mailing address, city, and ZIP of the courthouse. Fill it in exactly as it appears on prior papers in your case, including the branch name (for example, Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles).

For example, Maria Lopez writes Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, 111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 because that is the courthouse listed on her family law summons. If your case is in a branch courthouse, use that branch’s address, not the main court’s address, because ADA coordinators are often assigned by branch.

A common mistake is copying the address of the clerk’s office instead of the courtroom branch where the hearing will happen. The consequence is delay, because requests routed to the wrong branch can sit for days before being forwarded. A frequent misconception is that “Superior Court of California” alone is enough; it is not, because every county has its own court and every court has its own ADA coordinator.

Box 1: Name of Person With Disability

Enter the full legal name of the person who needs the accommodation, even if someone else (an attorney, parent, or guardian) is filling out the form for them. Match the spelling on government ID and on the case caption.

For example, Marcus Chen writes Marcus A. Chen because that is the name printed on his small claims judgment. If you go by a different name in daily life, still use the legal name here so the clerk can match the request to the case file.

A common mistake is writing only a first name or a nickname, which makes it impossible for the clerk to link the request to your file and can cause the court to deny it for lack of identification. A misconception is that minors must list a parent here; they do not, because the child is the person with the disability, and the parent’s name goes in the contact section instead.

Box 2: Are You a Party to the Case?

Check the box that describes your role: party, attorney, witness, juror, or other. If you check other, write a short description like support person, interpreter, or member of the public.

For example, Aisha Patel, who is testifying in a domestic violence restraining order hearing, checks witness and writes nothing else. If you are a juror who has already received a summons, check juror and attach a copy of your summons so the jury services office can find your record.

A common mistake is leaving this blank because the filer assumes the court can guess. The consequence is that the ADA coordinator may route the request to the wrong department, like sending a juror request to the family law clerk. A misconception is that only parties can request accommodations; under Rule 1.100(b) any person with a disability who has business with the court can request one.

Box 3: Description of Your Disability

This box asks you to describe your disability. You only need to share enough to show that the accommodation is needed. You do not have to give a medical diagnosis under Rule 1.100(c)(4), and the court cannot demand medical records as a condition of granting common accommodations.

For example, Janet Rivera writes I am Deaf and communicate primarily in American Sign Language. Carlos Mendoza writes I use a power wheelchair and cannot climb stairs. David Kim writes I have post-traumatic stress disorder and panic attacks triggered by crowded indoor spaces.

A common mistake is over-sharing private medical history, like attaching full hospital records when a one-sentence functional description would do; once filed, papers can be hard to redact. A misconception is that you must prove your disability with a doctor’s note; under Rule 1.100, the court only asks for limited verification when the need is not obvious, and even then, a brief letter usually suffices.

Box 4: Accommodation(s) Requested

Be specific. List the exact tool, service, or change you need. Vague requests like help in court get denied or kicked back. Strong requests name the accommodation, the format, and the duration.

For example, Janet Rivera writes American Sign Language interpreter for the entire 2-hour hearing, plus any breakout conferences with my attorney. Carlos Mendoza writes Move hearing to a ground-floor, wheelchair-accessible courtroom; reserved accessible parking near the entrance. David Kim writes Permission to appear remotely by Zoom under Code of Civil Procedure §367.75.

A common mistake is asking for “an interpreter” without specifying the language; ASL, Signed Exact English, and tactile signing for DeafBlind individuals are different services. The consequence is that the court books the wrong professional and you arrive without real access. A misconception is that asking for a bigger accommodation hurts your case; judges cannot consider your request when ruling on the merits, and Rule 1.100(c)(5) keeps the request confidential.

Box 5: Date Accommodation Is Needed

Enter the date and time of the hearing, deposition, trial, or court visit where you need the accommodation. Use the MM/DD/YYYY format and include the courtroom or department number.

For example, Carlos Mendoza writes 07/15/2026 at 8:30 a.m., Department 24. If your accommodation is ongoing (for example, large-print documents for every filing in your case), write Ongoing through final judgment and list the next hearing date.

A common mistake is writing only the date with no time, which makes it hard for the ADA coordinator to confirm the courtroom is open. The consequence is back-and-forth phone calls that eat into the 5-court-day window. A misconception is that the court will figure out future hearings on its own; you should re-request accommodations for each new event unless the court grants an ongoing order.

Box 6: Type of Court Proceeding

Check or write the type of proceeding: civil trial, criminal arraignment, family law hearing, small claims, probate, traffic, juvenile, jury service, or other. This helps the ADA coordinator route the request to the right calendar.

For example, Maria Lopez writes Family law — request for order hearing because her case is a custody motion. Aisha Patel writes Domestic violence restraining order hearing under the civil category.

A common mistake is checking civil for a family law matter; family law has its own clerks and procedures, and a misrouted request can sit on the wrong desk for days. A misconception is that “type of proceeding” means the legal claim; it actually means the calendar type the court uses internally.

Box 7: How Soon Do You Need a Response?

This box captures urgency. The default is 5 court days, but you can ask for a faster response if the hearing is sooner. Always state the actual hearing date so the coordinator sees the deadline.

For example, David Kim writes Hearing is in 6 court days, please respond within 3 court days. Carlos Mendoza writes Hearing is 4 weeks away, standard response is fine.

A common mistake is leaving this blank when the hearing is days away, which lets the coordinator default to a slower track. The consequence is a response that arrives after the hearing. A misconception is that emergency requests can be filed verbally without follow-up paperwork; even an emergency phone request should be backed up with a written MC-410 to lock in your appeal rights.

Box 8: Filer’s Name, Address, Phone, and Email

If you are the person with the disability, repeat your name and add your mailing address, phone, and email. If you are filing on someone else’s behalf (parent, guardian, attorney, or friend), put your contact info here and check the appropriate role box.

For example, Janet Rivera writes her own name, 742 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94103, (415) 555-0142, and jrivera@email.com. Attorney Lisa Park, filing for client Marcus Chen, writes her firm address and bar number.

A common mistake is using a P.O. Box only, with no email or phone, which slows the response because most ADA coordinators reply by email. A misconception is that giving an email waives confidentiality; under Rule 1.100(c)(5), all communications about the request stay confidential and out of the public file.

Box 9: Signature and Date

Sign and date the form on the line provided. The signature can be the person with the disability or an authorized representative. Electronic signatures (typed name with /s/ in front) are accepted by every California Superior Court under Code of Civil Procedure §1010.6.

For example, Aisha Patel signs in blue ink and writes 05/01/2026. Lisa Park, filing electronically, types /s/ Lisa Park and the same date.

A common mistake is forgetting to date the form, which makes it hard to prove you met the 5-court-day deadline. The consequence is that the court can treat your request as filed on the day it arrived rather than the day you mailed it. A misconception is that an unsigned form still counts; clerks reject unsigned MC-410s on sight.

Court Response Section (Items 10–14): Filled Out by the Court

You leave Items 10 through 14 blank. The ADA coordinator or designee uses them to check granted, granted in part, denied, or alternative offered, list the specific accommodation provided, give the reason for any denial, and sign. Under Rule 1.100(e), denials must be in writing and must state the legal basis.

For example, the Los Angeles ADA coordinator marks Granted on Maria Lopez’s request and writes ASL interpreter confirmed for 7/15/2026, 8:30 a.m., Dept. 24. If the request is denied, the coordinator must cite a Rule 1.100(f) ground (undue financial or administrative burden, or fundamental alteration of the service).

A common mistake on the filer’s side is writing into the response boxes by accident, which can confuse the clerk. A misconception is that a denial is the end of the road; under Rule 1.100(g), you can seek review by the presiding judge within 10 days.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

These walkthroughs follow three filers from start to finish so you can see what each section looks like when finished.

Scenario 1: Janet Rivera — Deaf Juror in San Francisco

Form Section	What Janet Enters
Court Caption	Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102
Box 1 — Name	Janet M. Rivera
Box 2 — Role	Juror (attaches jury summons)
Box 3 — Disability	I am Deaf and use American Sign Language
Box 4 — Accommodation	Two-person ASL interpreter team for full jury service, plus video relay during deliberations
Box 5 — Date Needed	06/10/2026, 8:00 a.m. reporting time
Box 6 — Proceeding	Jury service — civil panel
Box 7 — Urgency	Standard 5 court days; service starts in 14 days
Box 8 — Contact	742 Mission St., SF 94103, (415) 555-0142, jrivera@email.com
Box 9 — Signature	/s/ Janet M. Rivera, 05/26/2026

Scenario 2: Carlos Mendoza — Wheelchair User in Los Angeles

Form Section	What Carlos Enters
Court Caption	Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Box 1 — Name	Carlos R. Mendoza
Box 2 — Role	Party (Plaintiff)
Box 3 — Disability	I use a power wheelchair and cannot climb stairs
Box 4 — Accommodation	Ground-floor accessible courtroom; reserved accessible parking; accessible witness stand
Box 5 — Date Needed	07/15/2026, 8:30 a.m., Dept. 24
Box 6 — Proceeding	Civil — small claims trial
Box 7 — Urgency	Standard 5 court days; hearing in 4 weeks
Box 8 — Contact	5520 Sunset Blvd., LA 90028, (323) 555-0167, cmendoza@email.com
Box 9 — Signature	/s/ Carlos R. Mendoza, 06/10/2026

Scenario 3: David Kim — PTSD, Remote Appearance Request

Form Section	What David Enters
Court Caption	Superior Court of California, County of Orange, 700 Civic Center Dr. W., Santa Ana, CA 92701
Box 1 — Name	David S. Kim
Box 2 — Role	Party (Respondent)
Box 3 — Disability	Post-traumatic stress disorder with panic attacks in crowded indoor spaces
Box 4 — Accommodation	Remote Zoom appearance under CCP §367.75; private breakout room with counsel
Box 5 — Date Needed	08/02/2026, 10:00 a.m., Dept. L62
Box 6 — Proceeding	Family law — request for order
Box 7 — Urgency	Hearing in 6 court days — please respond in 3
Box 8 — Contact	128 Maple Ave., Irvine, CA 92602, (949) 555-0188, dkim@email.com
Box 9 — Signature	/s/ David S. Kim, 07/24/2026

How to File the Completed Form

You can submit MC-410 through any channel your county offers, and most counties accept all four. Always keep a stamped copy or email receipt as proof of filing.

• Email to the ADA coordinator (preferred). Find your county’s coordinator on the California Courts accessibility directory. There is no fee. Processing time is usually 2–5 court days. Save the sent email and any auto-reply as proof.
• In person at the clerk’s office or self-help center. Bring two copies, ask the clerk to file-stamp one and return it to you. No fee. Same-day filing.
• By mail. Send to the courthouse address listed in the caption, marked Attn: ADA Coordinator — Confidential. No fee. Use certified mail with return receipt for proof.
• By fax. Many counties still accept fax; the number is on each Superior Court’s accessibility page. No fee. Keep the confirmation page.
• Through eFiling portals. Some counties allow MC-410 on TurboCourt or File & ServeXpress, but file it as Confidential — Rule 1.100 so it does not appear on the public docket.

There is no filing fee for MC-410 anywhere in California, because charging a fee for a disability accommodation would itself violate Title II of the ADA.

What Happens After You File

After filing, the ADA coordinator reviews the request, checks calendar and resource availability, and may call or email you to clarify details. Under Rule 1.100(e), the court must respond promptly and in writing, using the response section of the same MC-410.

If granted, the response will name the exact accommodation, the date, and the courtroom. If denied, the response must state which Rule 1.100(f) ground applies — undue financial or administrative burden, or fundamental alteration of the court’s services. You can request review by the presiding judge within 10 days of a denial under Rule 1.100(g), and you can also file complaints with the DOJ Civil Rights Division or Disability Rights California.

The whole MC-410 file stays confidential and is kept separate from the public case file. Court staff who need to know about the accommodation (interpreters, bailiffs, the courtroom clerk) get only the operational details, not your medical information.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

• Filing fewer than 5 court days before the hearing — the court may deny it as untimely under Rule 1.100(c)(3), and you walk into court without your accommodation.
• Vague Box 4 requests like “help me communicate” — the coordinator cannot book the right service, leading to last-minute scrambles.
• Skipping the case number — the request floats unmatched and can miss your hearing entirely.
• Listing only a P.O. Box and no phone/email — the coordinator cannot reach you for clarifications, slowing approval.
• Over-sharing medical records — once filed, papers are hard to claw back even from a confidential file.
• Forgetting to sign or date Box 9 — clerks reject unsigned forms on sight.
• Filing in the wrong courthouse branch — the request sits at the wrong ADA desk for days.
• Asking for the wrong sign-language modality — booking ASL when you need tactile or SEE leaves you without real access.
• Writing in the court’s response section (Items 10–14) — confuses the clerk and may invalidate the form.
• Assuming a denial is final — failure to ask the presiding judge for review within 10 days waives your appeal under Rule 1.100(g).
• Not keeping a stamped or emailed copy — without proof of filing, the 5-court-day clock is hard to enforce.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

• Do file as soon as you know the hearing date, because more lead time means more accommodation options.
• Do email the ADA coordinator directly, because email is the fastest channel and creates a paper trail.
• Do be specific in Box 4, because specific requests get approved faster.
• Do keep the request confidential, because Rule 1.100(c)(5) guarantees it stays out of the public file.
• Do save proof of filing, because deadlines depend on the date the court received your form.
• Do ask for review within 10 days of any denial, because that is your only built-in appeal window.

Don’ts

• Don’t wait until the day before the hearing, because the court can lawfully deny late requests.
• Don’t attach unredacted medical records, because once filed, paperwork is hard to remove.
• Don’t assume verbal requests are enough, because written requests lock in the 5-court-day clock.
• Don’t use the wrong courthouse address, because misrouted requests miss deadlines.
• Don’t sign for someone else without authority, because unauthorized signatures invalidate the request.
• Don’t ignore a partial grant, because you can ask the presiding judge to expand it.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

Pros of filing pro se

• Free — no attorney fee and no filing fee.
• Fast — you control the timing and can email it the same day.
• Private — fewer people see your disability description.
• Empowering — many filers report better outcomes when they describe their own needs.
• Self-help support is available at every court self-help center.

Cons of filing pro se

• Legal nuance — distinguishing fundamental alteration from a reasonable modification is hard.
• Appeal complexity — a denial review under Rule 1.100(g) involves court rules many filers find confusing.
• Documentation calls — knowing how much medical info to share takes practice.
• Emotional load — explaining your disability to strangers can be draining.
• Coordination — complex accommodations (CART plus interpreter plus remote appearance) often need an advocate to organize.

FAQs

Do I need to attach a doctor’s note to MC-410?

No. Rule 1.100(c)(4) bars the court from requiring medical proof when the disability or accommodation is obvious. The court may ask for limited verification only when the need is unclear.

Is there a filing fee for MC-410?

No. California courts cannot charge a fee for disability accommodation requests, because doing so would violate Title II of the ADA and Rule 1.100.

Will my MC-410 appear on the public docket?

No. Under Rule 1.100(c)(5), the request and response are confidential and stay separate from the public case file.

Can I file MC-410 fewer than 5 court days before the hearing?

Yes. You can still file, but the court may deny untimely requests unless good cause is shown, so always state the hearing date in Box 7.

Do I write my legal name or my preferred name in Box 1?

Yes, write your legal name as it appears on the case caption, because the clerk uses it to match the request to your case file.

What if I have more than one disability?

Yes, list each disability in Box 3 and each related accommodation in Box 4, because the coordinator needs to plan for all of them at once.

Can my attorney file MC-410 for me?

Yes. An attorney, guardian, or authorized representative can file on your behalf and put their contact info in Box 8 while keeping your name in Box 1.

Can I appeal a denied accommodation?

Yes. Under Rule 1.100(g), you can ask the presiding judge to review the denial within 10 days of the written response.

Do I need a new MC-410 for every hearing?

Yes, unless the court grants an ongoing accommodation in Item 11 of the response, in which case the order covers future hearings in the same case.

Can jurors and witnesses use MC-410?

Yes. Rule 1.100(b) covers any person with business before the court, including jurors, witnesses, attorneys, and the public.

Is a typed electronic signature accepted in Box 9?

Yes. Under Code of Civil Procedure §1010.6, a typed /s/ Name signature is valid in every California Superior Court.

Can I request a remote appearance as an accommodation?

Yes. Remote Zoom or phone appearances are available under CCP §367.75 and are routinely granted on MC-410 for anxiety, mobility, immune, and sensory disabilities.

Do I have to use the MC-410 form, or can I write a letter?

No, the form is not mandatory. Rule 1.100(c) lets you ask in writing, in person, or by phone, but MC-410 creates the cleanest record and triggers the formal response duty.