VCourt Remote Appearance Fee/Payment
VCourt
Remote hearings in Civil and Probate matters are conducted using VCourt, a telephonic appearance system. All telephonic appearances in civil and probate cases must be scheduled here or by clicking the “Schedule or Cancel Appearance” button at the bottom of this page. Telephonic appearances cannot be scheduled by phone. If you experience any issues with VCourt, you must contact VCourt directly.
This Court waives notice of parties appearing remotely for Case Management Conferences, Law and Motion hearings, and Ex Parte hearings. Therefore, a Notice of Remote Appearance (Form RA-010) should not be filed for these appearances.
Hearings for Which Telephonic Appearances Are Not Allowed
Telephonic appearances are generally authorized under California Rules of Court, rule 3.670. However, as specified in Rule 3.670(e), telephonic appearances are generally not permitted for the following matters:
- Trials, hearings, and proceedings where witnesses are expected to testify (including small claims and unlawful detainer hearings)
- Hearings on temporary restraining orders
- Mandatory settlement conferences
- Trial management and trial issue conferences
- Hearings on motions in limine
- Hearings on petitions to confirm the sale of property under the Probate Code
- Persons ordered to appear in an order or citation issued under the Probate Code
Telephonic Appearance Fee/Payment
Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 10.815, the fee for telephonic appearances is equivalent to the court's cost of providing the service. The fee is $35 per appearance. If a party has a fee waiver on file for the case in which the hearing is scheduled, the telephonic appearance fee will be waived. (Note: It is not sufficient to have only applied for a fee waiver; it must have been granted for the fee to be waived.)
For cases with multiple hearings scheduled on the same day in the same department, a single $35 appearance fee is required. To avoid being charged additional fees, only one hearing should be selected during VCourt registration. The provided pin number is valid for one person at a time. If multiple people wish to join, each must register individually.
For cases with multiple hearings at different times on the same day, the $35 fee applies to each scheduled hearing.
Payment may be made via Visa, Mastercard (credit and debit), or American Express only. Payments cannot be made using cash, paper checks, or e-checks.
There is a non-refundable $2.35 credit card processing fee per transaction.
Late Payment
A late request fee of $10 will be charged for telephonic appearances if the request is made less than two (2) days before the scheduled appearance, except in the following cases:
- When an opposing party has provided timely notice of telephonic appearance for an ex parte application or similar hearing
- When the Court sets a hearing on less than two (2) days' notice
- When a tentative ruling is posted within the two (2) day period prior to the hearing
- When a party receives notice of another party’s intent to appear telephonically and responds by noon on the court day prior to the hearing
Confirmation
After payment is received, you will receive an email confirming the details of your telephonic appearance. The confirmation will include the toll-free dial-in number, a conference ID, and a unique PIN for your use. The PIN can only be used by one person at a time.
If you do not receive confirmation within two hours, contact vcourt@stanct.org for assistance.
You will also receive an email reminder the day before your hearing.
Day of Appearance
On the day of your hearing, please call the number provided in your confirmation at least five (5) minutes before the hearing is scheduled to begin. When prompted, enter the conference ID and PIN provided. Wait until your case is called.
If you join after the court session has started, the court clerk will be aware due to your unique PIN. Please do not interrupt the proceedings.
Cancellations
Cancellations must be made via this link or by using the “Cancel Appearance” button below. To be eligible for a refund, cancellations must be made before 5:00 p.m. (PST) on the day before the scheduled hearing. Refunds will not be issued if the hearing is not cancelled via the website.
A $5 fee may be charged if a party cancels a telephonic appearance but does not appear.
Failure to cancel by 5:00 p.m. (PST) the day before the scheduled hearing will result in forfeiture of the entire appearance fee.
Hearings continued or cancelled by the Court:
If your hearing is continued or cancelled by the Court (including by tentative ruling), no charge will be applied for the telephonic appearance, provided the cancellation occurs by 5:00 p.m. (PST) the day before the hearing.
If your hearing is continued to a new date, you must cancel the original telephonic appearance and complete a new transaction for the new date. Payments do not carry over to a new date, nor will your telephonic appearance be automatically rescheduled.
Full refunds (including the $5 cancellation fee) are only issued for hearings cancelled or continued by the Court without a hearing.
Hearings cancelled or continued by a party:
To receive a refund, you must cancel your telephonic appearance before 5:00 p.m. (PST) on the day before the scheduled hearing. If you are continuing a hearing, you must cancel the original telephonic appearance and then complete a new transaction for the new hearing date.
Payments do not carry over to the new hearing date.
Hearings that are continued or dropped:
If you appear telephonically and the hearing is continued or dropped, you are not eligible for a refund. If the hearing is continued, you must complete a new transaction if you wish to appear on the new date.
Refunds
Only telephonic appearances cancelled according to the instructions above are eligible for a refund. Refunds are processed automatically upon cancellation. Due to system limitations, refunds will be processed five days after the hearing date. Once processed, refunds may take 7-10 business days to appear in your account. If multiple hearings were scheduled in a single transaction, refunds will not be processed until five days after the final hearing in the transaction.
Schedule or Cancel Appearance
To schedule or cancel a telephonic appearance, click the button below if you agree to the terms and conditions outlined above.