Civil Self-Help Center
About the Civil Self-Help Center
The Ventura Superior Court Self Help Centers helps self-represented litigants. The Self-Help Centers help parties who have questions about their legal issues. THE SELF-HELP CENTERS CANNOT ASSIST YOU IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY REPRESENTED BY AN ATTORNEY OR HAVE AN ATTORNEY OF RECORD ON FILE WITH THE COURT.
The Civil Self-Help Center does NOT assist with all types of civil cases. Specifically, the Civil Self-Help Center does NOT assist litigants with initiating civil lawsuits, small claims cases, criminal matters, certain probate trust issues, and appeals/writs. You may need to hire an attorney in certain cases.
The Civil Self-Help Center provides assistance to self-represented litigants on the following topics; click the link below for online assistance:
- Civil Harassment Restraining Order
- Unlawful Detainer (Evictions)
- Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Order
- Debt Lawsuits (Collections)
- Name Change
- Recognition of Gender
- Clean Your Criminal Record
- Stepparent Adoption
- Guardianship
- Conservatorship (Helping a person with an impairment or disability)
Ventura: Ventura Courthouse, 800 South Victoria Avenue, on the first floor, Room 106, in Ventura, CA 93009.
Oxnard: Juvenile and Probate Courthouse at 4353 E. Vineyard Avenue, on the second floor, Room 206, in Oxnard (El Rio), CA 93036.
Click here for the hours of operation: SHLAC_FRC_COMBO_Flyer_EN.pdf [Español]
THE CENTERS CAN: (1) Provide you with general legal information and your options; (2) Assist you with selecting appropriate court forms; (3) Provide general information on how to fill out court forms; (4) Provide you with information about court processes and procedures; and (5) Review your filled-out forms for completeness before filing.
THE CENTERS CANNOT: (1) Fill out forms or draft documents for you; (2) Give you legal advice or an opinion; (3) Represent or go to court with you; (4) Tell you what to say on your forms or in court; (5) Help you with case strategy; (6) File or serve documents for you; (7) Predict the outcome of your case.
The Attorneys and Staff at the Centers work for the court and must remain neutral and impartial. There is no attorney-client relationship between you and Centers. The Centers may provide information and services to the other party in your case. Communications between you and the Centers are NOT confidential. You should consult with a private attorney if you want personalized advice, strategy, to have a confidential conversation, or to be represented in court.
How can I get help?
IN-PERSON ASSISTANCE
Walk-Ins: Check our schedule for walk-in days and times by clicking here: SHLAC_FRC_COMBO_Flyer_EN.pdf [Espanol]
PHONE OR ZOOM APPOINTMENTS
To set a phone or Zoom video conferencing appointment, please go to www.calendly.com/vcscreservations and select either Civil Self-Help (Ventura) or Civil Self-Help (Oxnard).
Your appointment will be no longer than 15 minutes. Please have all your forms and questions ready to make the most of your time.
E-mail your question to the Self-Help Legal Access Center.
Self-Help staff will respond to your e-mail within five court days (excluding court closures and holidays).
Please be sure to check your e-mail, including your spam folder for the response.
CALL CENTER (TELEPHONE ASSISTANCE)
Check our schedule for current information about our Call Center by clicking here: SHLAC_FRC_COMBO_Flyer_EN.pdf [Español]
WEBINARS
Free legal self-help webinars are where a self-help attorney answers questions and provides instructions on how to fill out and file court forms. The webinars are held with Zoom video conferencing.
For information on the webinars currently being offered, visit our Self-Help Webinars page. To register for a webinar, please go to www.calendly.com/vcselfhelpcenter and select the one appropriate for you.
For more information about registering and attending webinars, you can watch the videos on the Ventura Superior Court’s YouTube page titled:
What forms do I need?
Civil Self-Help Form Packets
Evictions
- Complaint - Unlawful Detainer
- Answer - Unlawful Detainer
- Answer / Respuesta - Unlawful Detainer (Desalojo)
Expungement
Name and/or Gender Changes
- Petition for Change of Name for Self and for Change of Name for Minor Children
- Petition for Recognition of Change of Gender and Sex Identifier for Issuance of New Birth Certificate and Change of Name for an Adult
- Petition for Recognition of Minor's Change of Gender and Sex Identifier for Issuance of New Birth Certificate and Change of Name
Probate
- Conservatorship (Contact the Civil Self-Help Center before printing any forms)
- Guardianship (Contact the Civil Self-Help Center before printing any forms)
- Termination of Guardianship
- Fee Waiver Packet for Conservatorship and Guardianship Cases
Fee Waiver
Civil Harassment Restraining Order (CHRO)
- Request for Civil Harassment Restraining Orders
- Response to Request for Civil Harassment Restraining Orders
Elder Abuse Restraining Order (EARO)
- Request for Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Orders
- Response to Request for Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Orders
Helpful Videos
CIVIL [VENTURA SUPERIOR COURT] YOUTUBE VIDEOS