Certain documents will begin being served to attorneys electronically by the San Mateo County Superior Court starting Oct. 7.
Known as eService, attorneys with civil, family and probate cases will receive court-issued documents to their email addresses per the state’s mandate for courts to institute these services electronically by July 1, 2025.
The switch to electronic will help the court reduce costs amid state budget cuts to trial courts. The state made approximately $1.45 million in annual reductions to San Mateo County Superior Court, causing the court to make changes to its services.
The deadline of July 1, 2025 was extended from July 1, 2024 to ensure courts have properly functioning eService programs. The court is hoping that eService will increase efficiency and expedite the process of serving documents.
Documents subject to eService include Notice of Hearing, Notice of Assignment, Notice of Order and Notice of Judgement, the San Mateo County Superior Court said.
Attorneys will be able to securely access electronic documents through a multi-factor authentication process. They will first receive an email from the court with a link to the document and an access code. The document will require a unique, time-sensitive verification code which will be sent in a second email. Once attorneys enter the verification code, they will be able to access the document through download only.
Additional details regarding the eService program will be made available on the court’s website at www.sanmateo.courts.ca.gov before Oct. 7.
