GREAT, got my document done.  Now where and how do I file it?

You go to a Notary, swear to it's truthfulness, he notarizes it.

You make as many true copies as you need and you file it with the Court Clerk, the CPS, the Police, and anybody else you can think of.  A court clerk may shove it back at you and mumble something about your attorney is supposed to file documents with the court.  BE FIRM, but polite, and insist that you want this filed with the rest of the files on this case.  Always "make nice" with the office personnel.

Ask them to please TIME STAMP IT and make you a copy with their TIME STAMP on it.  These weasels "lose" documents far too "conveniently".  This is your PROOF you did file it, and a subliminal message that you are done being screwed with.

The CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE!  A copy of this goes along attached at the END of each document you file (to each office or individual).  List everybody you are going to serve.

NEVER FORGET THE CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE!  A court will happily slime and toss out a document that does not have the Certificate of Service ATTACHED.

Of course, you put your own info in this EXAMPLE CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE at the appropriate places.

 

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT ON Month, Day, 20__, I served a true copy of The Name of Whatever you are filing together with (if you have any) Exhibits 1, 2, 3, on the following parties by hand delivery: (or by Registered, Certified, Receipt Requested mail, if so state so) Lincoln County District Attorney Bernice Barnette Lincoln County Courthouse serve Newport, Oregon Lincoln County Sheriff John O’Brien Lincoln County Courthouse serve Newport, Oregon Oregon Services to Children and Families Branch Office serve Newport, Oregon Lincoln City Police Department Office serve Lincoln City, Oregon __________________________________ Your Full Name here sui juris (or Pro Se)

Mission Critical New INFO

In California, you CANNOT serve your own Certificate of Service by MAIL. Pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 1013a, the person making the service . . . [must not] be a party to the cause.  Which means that the signature at the bottom of the Certificate of Service cannot be you or your mate, or anybody else who is a "party to the case.  Fedex is good for this for a very small charge. Apparently, according to Code of Civil Procedure section 1011, you can serve it personally.