ShareDC Courts' Pandemic Operations Information
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DC Courts Vaccination Status Portal
See Videos: COVID-19 Safety Measures 
| Jury Duty Procedure in Covid-19 | DC Court of Appeals Operations During Covid-19
CURRENT DC COURTS OPERATING STATUS
NEW! SUPERIOR COURT CHIEF JUDGE'S 7/14/2021 ORDER RE. OPERATIONS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 | IN-PERSON SERVICES EXPAND JULY 12, 2021 | LIST OF OFFICES PROVIDING IN-PERSON SERVICES AS OF JULY 12
Remote Hearing Information | Remote Site Locations and Tips | Steps We've Taken to Keep You Safe
DC Court of Appeals | July 2021 Bar Exam Information
DC Superior Court: Civil | Criminal | Domestic Violence | Family Court | Probate | Tax
Clerk’s Offices Operations | Non-Attorney Legal Services
Persons entering court buildings must wear a cloth face covering or mask during the pandemic, per the June 26, 2020 court order. Also, please complete the online health screening tool before entering court buildings. Visit this link or scan the QR code.
NO ONE SHOULD ENTER THE COURTHOUSE WITH COVID-19 SYMPTOMS: Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle/body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or a runny nose, nausea/vomiting or diarrhea.
DC COURT OF APPEALS
See Video: DC Court of Appeals Operations During Covid-19
DC COURT OF APPEALS UPDATE 07/28/2021 - For the latest information regarding DC Court of Appeals operations, please see this June 25, 2021 order.
- See the Court's June 25, 2021 order for the latest on filing procedures and how to eFile (or file by email if you cannot eFile). Email questions to efilehelp [at] dcappeals.gov.
- The public can observe the videoconference oral arguments on the DC Court of Appeals YouTube channel.
- The Court of Appeals has expanded in-person services. Learn more.
In-Person Oral Arguments Resume September 2021
The DC Court of Appeals is holding oral arguments in person, effective September 2021. See more information here.
DC SUPERIOR COURT
Chief Judge's 7/14/2021 Order re: Operations through September 10, 2021 | Orden (Enmendada 07/14/21) | ትእዛዝ (በ7/14/21 የተሻሻለው) | Judge's 5/19/2021 Order re: Operations through July 15, 2021 | Orden (enmendada 05/19/21) | ትዕዛዝ (በ5/19/21 የተሻሻለው) | Chief Judge's 3/31/2021 Order re: Operations through May 20, 2021 | Orden (enmendada el 31 de marzo de 2021) | ትእዛዝ (በ3/30/21 የተሻሻለው)
Clerk of Court's November 19 Order - Updated July 2021 | Operaciones de las Oficinas de la Secretaría de noviembre 2020 | የጸሀፊ (ክለርክ 'ስ) ቢሮዎች አሰራሮች ማስታወቂያ ፣ በኖቨምበር 2020 የተሻሻለ
The Superior Court is holding hearings in the following types of cases:
CIVIL - Except for jury trials, hearings will continue to be conducted remotely. The Civil Division will continue to conduct remote non-jury trials in multiple courtrooms. The Civil Division also has resumed jury trials and has the capacity to conduct at least two jury trials simultaneously. Except for jury trials, no parties or attorneys should appear in person unless specifically directed to do so by a judge.
Notwithstanding anything in Administrative Order 15-03, housing condition violations cases and all matters heard by Judge in Chambers, including applications to amend vital records, name change requests, gender reassignment requests, foreign subpoenas, petitions for civil asset forfeiture, libels of information, and friendly suits, may be filed electronically during the period of the emergency with CaseFileXpress.
The public windows in the clerk’s office for the Civil Actions Branch in the Moultrie Courthouse and for the Small Claims and Landlord Tenant Branches in Building B are open from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The clerk’s office will use social distancing and capacity limits to protect the health of the public and staff.
See the full status of operations under Civil Division.
CRIMINAL - Starting July 19, 2021, in-person operations will be expanded in Courtroom C-10 for arraignments, presentments, bench warrant returns and fugitive matters. Counsel (government and defense), and the defendant shall appear in person before the court; pretrial services may continue to appear remotely. Defendants detained at the D.C. Jail will continue to appear by video.
Detained preliminary hearings and evidentiary hearings will proceed partially remotely with defendants appearing before the judge in the courtroom and counsel and witnesses appearing in person or remotely. Effective September 7, 2021, all such hearings will proceed in person. Until September 7, 2021, the Criminal Division will otherwise continue to operate remotely or partially remotely with hearings being conducted via telephone or videoconference.
Detained non-jury and jury trials will proceed in person. See the videos about our safety protocols.
See the full status of operations under Criminal Division here and by scrolling down the page, under Criminal on the left-hand side of the page.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - The Domestic Violence Division is operating remotely, unless a specific judge's order that a hearing will be held in person. Parties in DVM and CCC cases should file electronically. As of May 10, 2021, all hearings for released defendants will not be continued and instead will go forward remotely on the date and time they are scheduled in courtroom 117 and courtroom 118. Further, all CPO, ERPO, and related cases will take place approximately two weeks after the case is filed. Criminal contempt arraignments are being heard in remote courtrooms. Child support cases where there is an accompanying CPO will be heard in remote courtrooms. ERPO hearing dates will not be continued/postponed, but will be heard on the date consistent with the January 18, 2021, March 31, 2021, May 19, 2021, or July 14, 2021 scheduling orders.
If you do not want to or cannot do the call from home, the court has sites available around the city where you can schedule time to use a court computer to participate in your hearing.
The Domestic Violence Division Clerk’s Office is available in person and remotely from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The DVD Clerk’s Office at the Moultrie Courthouse is open. However, you can still file online; click here to access the forms.
Additional information:
- May 20, 2021 Update on COVID-19 Domestic Violence Division Operations
- May 20, 2021 Scheduling Order for the Domestic Violence Division
- Remote Sites - How to Schedule and Locations
FAMILY COURT - Beginning June 1, 2021, the only in-person hearings will be fact-finding hearings in Delinquency cases—priority will be given to respondents who are securely detained, followed by respondents who have been placed in shelter houses. In-person hearings may be granted for other case types for good cause and with the approval of the Family Court Presiding Judge or Deputy Presiding Judge. Fact-finding hearings are held in courtroom JM-2. Family Court Judges will continue to hear the following types of cases remotely: adoption, divorce, custody, Family Treatment Court, neglect, mental health, mental habilitation and juvenile.
The Family Court’s public offices (including Central Intake Center, Domestic Relations, Parentage and Support, Juvenile and Neglect, Mental Health and Habilitation, Counsel for Child Abuse and Neglect and the Marriage Bureau) are open for in-person service. The Family Court will also continue to process documents submitted via eFiling. Attorneys and self-represented litigants can file documents electronically using CaseFileXpress.
The Marriage Bureau is processing applications for marriage licenses both in person and remotely and is performing weddings by videoconference.
See the full status of current operations under Family Court.
PROBATE - The Probate Division’s public service counter is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., with limited staff for persons who wish to file documents or view cases in person. Services will continue to be provided remotely, and electronic filing will continue. All hearings are held remotely until further notice. See complete information about the status of Probate operations as of July 12, 2021.
TAX DIVISION - All hearings, including show cause, status, initial scheduling conferences, pre-trial conferences, and trials will be held remotely.
All divisions will be open in a remote status for filing of pleadings, motions and new cases. Electronic filing will continue. See detailed information on Clerks' Offices Remote Operations.
Except in limited circumstances in civil cases specified in the May 4 order, all deadlines and time limits in statutes, court rules, and standing orders that would otherwise expire are postponed during the public health emergency, by this order of the Court and the May 14 and June 19 orders extending that further. **All evictions of tenants and foreclosed homeowners are stayed (postponed) during the public health emergency declared by the Mayor.
- The Clerk of Court's Office, and the various divisions' clerks offices are all operating remotely. For information on remote operations, and how to get certified copies, see the Clerk of Court's Notice of Clerk's Office Operations | Operaciones de las Oficinas de la Secretaría de noviembre 2020 | የጸሀፊ (ክለርክ 'ስ) ቢሮዎች አሰራሮች ማስታወቂያ ፣ በኖቨምበር 2020 የተሻሻለ
LIST OF LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR THOSE WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY
Spanish | Amharic | Chinese | Tigrinya
DC Court of Appeals
The DC Court of Appeals is holding oral arguments via videoconference until further notice. See the Court's January 25 order for the latest on filing procedures, deadline changes, and how to eFile (or file by email if you are not able to eFile). Questions should go to efilehelp [at] dcappeals.gov. The public can observe the videoconference oral arguments real-time on this page: http://www.dccourts.gov/court-of-appeals/oral-arguments or see previous oral arguments on the DC Court of Appeals' YouTube page.
- See the Committee on Admissions webpage for information about the July 2021 Uniform Bar Exam.
- Public offices and counters are now open. Learn more.
Superior Court
The Division's Clerk's Offices are processing cases remotely and in person with limited staff. Most court hearings are also taking place remotely with some hearings for criminal, domestic violence and family court matters happening partially onsite. Different processes are in place during the public health emergency. For more information, please see the Superior Court’s Notice of Clerk’s Office Operations. You can also click the tabs that have specific information about each division. If you have questions, please contact the respective divisions / offices.
| Division/Office | Telephone Number |
|---|---|
| Auditor Master Office | 202-626-3280 |
| Civil Actions Branch | 202-879-1133 |
| Landlord & Tenant Branch | 202-879-4879 |
| Small Claims Branch | 202-879-1120 |
| Crime Victims Comp Program | 202-879-4216 |
| Criminal Division | 202-879-1840 |
| Domestic Violence Division | 202-879-0157 |
| Family Court | 202-879-1212 |
| Jurors Office | 202-879-4604 |
| Multi-Door Division (Mediation) | 202-879-1549 |
| Probate Division | 202-879-9460 |
| Tax Division | 202-879-1737 |
May 27, 2021 D.C. Superior Court Criminal Division Notice of Expansion of Detained Jury Trials
D.C. Superior Court Chief Judge's 5/19/2021 Order re. Operations through July 15, 2021
D.C. Superior Court Chief Judge's 3/30/2021 Order re: Operations through May 20, 2021
March 22 D.C. Court of Appeals order on operations through June 30, 2021
D.C. Court of Appeals Update - January 25 Order re: DCCA Operations through March 31
D.C. Superior Court Chief Judge's 1/13/2021 Order re: Operations through March 31, 2021
DCCA order addressing court operations through January 31, 2021
D.C. Superior Court Order 11/5/2020
The DC Superior Court is expanding the types and number of cases it will hear through January 15, 2021
DCCA order addressing court operations through November 30, 2020
D.C. Superior Court Order 8/13/2020 | Orden (enmendada el 13 de agosto de 2020) | ትእዛዝ (በ8/13/20 የተሻሻለው)
The DC Superior Court is expanding the types and number of cases it will hear through November 9, 2020.
7/10/2020 DCCA Order Extending Bar Exam Application Deadline to July 15
D.C. Superior Court Update 6/19
D.C. Superior Court June 18 Order expanding the number of courtrooms and the types of cases that will be heard through August 14.
የኮሎምቢያ አውራጃ ጠቅላይ ፍርድ ቤት ድንጋጌ (የተሻሻለው 6/19/20)
D.C. COURT OF APPEALS UPDATE 6/10/2020 June 10 Order regarding Remote October D.C. Bar exam, registration and refunds.
Amended Order Regarding Operation of the DC Courts During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Filed—May 29, 2020)
D.C. Court of Appeals Update 5/21/2020 Order Regarding D.C. Court of Appeals Operating Status through June 30
D.C. Superior Court Update - D.C. Superior Court May 14 Order expanding the number and types of cases that will be heard through June 19.
Ver orden enmendada expandiendo los tipos y número de casos hasta el 19 de junio de 2020.
ትዕዛዝ 5/14/20 ተሻሽሏል
D.C. Superior Court Promulgation Order (20-04) and Board of Judges Resolution increasing the the Crime Victims Compensation Program's maximum for food and emergency shelter during the pandemic - 4/15/2020 - 6pm
D.C. Superior Court Update - 4/1/2020 - 6pm
Superior Court Advisory 3/31/2020 - 4pm
The Civil Division has an addendum to the general order addressing the tolling of various deadlines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see the links below in English and Spanish.
Addendum to General Order Addressing Tolling of Deadlines due to COVID-19
Addendum a la Orden General Relativa a los Casos Civiles
ወረርሽኝ በተመለከተ ለተላለፈው ጠቅላላ ትእዛዝ ተጨማሪ መግለጫ (አደንደም)
DC SUPERIOR COURT ADVISORY - March 27, 2020, 4pm
The following two orders were issued this afternoon:
- Order Suspending Weekend Jail Sentences until June 5
- Order Suspending Execution of Certain Misdemeanor Bench Warrants
DC Court of Appeals Order 3/23/2020 -3pm
DCCA Order Updating 3/16 Order, Covering Operations through May 31
DC Superior Court Update - Sunday 3/22, 2:30pm
Order Further Reducing DC Superior Court Court Operations - 3/18/2020, updated 3/19/2020, 4pm
March 19 - 4pm - The update is a clarification, made in response to inquiries the court has received and to ensure understanding of the full scope of the suspension of time limits imposed by statutes and court rules.
Vea la orden de reducción de operaciones en el Tribunal Superior - 3/19/20
Statement of DC Court of Appeals Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby, chair of the Joint Committee on Judicial Administration - March 18 - 1:30pm
This morning the Joint Committee on Judicial Administration issued this order invoking emergency authority under the DC Code to give DC Superior Court Chief Judge Morin and me the authority to take needed steps during this public health crisis to toll deadlines and make other necessary changes to our respective court operations and rules to address the coronavirus risk. The DC Courts are endeavoring to meet emergency needs of the community, while minimizing exposure risk to the greatest extent possible.
Joint Committee on Judicial Administration Emergency Authority Order
See information and resources available for self-represented litigants: LawHelp.org/DC.
Landlord Tenant Legal Assistance Network - Free Legal Help (English & Spanish)
LIST OF LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR THOSE WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY
Spanish | Amharic | Chinese | Tigrinya
Please check each division tab for information on current orders and operations.
You can file a request for a fee waiver here or access the fee waiver form here.
Parties may file, and the court will rule on, applications for waivers of filing fees and other costs. See more in the March 18 General Order.
DC Courts Update 4/6/2020 6pm - The Consumer Law Resource Center may be contacted by phone for assistance with emergency matters in a consumer case, such as attachment/freezing a bank account, contact the Consumer Law Resource Center at their temporary number, 202-780-2574. Please also see the 4/6 notice for information regarding free legal help with landlord tenant and other housing issues.
DC Superior Court Update - Clerk’s Offices Remote Operations 3/26/2020
In response to COVID-19 all clerk’s offices for Superior Court are operating in a remote status with no staff on-site. We have employees available to answer questions via telephone, email and Live Chat. Due to the limited resources for processing mail, please call or email a request, document or image of a document to avoid a delay in processing your request. Below is information regarding operations that will be conducted remotely by the Clerk’s Offices. All emergency hearings will be conducted by the judge remotely.
Clerk's Offices Remote Operations Information
Vea en Español: Notificación de las Operaciones de las Oficinas de la Secretaría.
የሱፒርየር ፍርድ ቤት የክለርክ (ጸሀፊ) ቢሮዎች የርቀት አሰራሮች (ሪሞት ኦፐሬሽንስ)
DC Courts Update - 3/25/2020 - 6pm
LIST OF LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR THOSE WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY
The DC Superior Court will resume jury trials starting in April 2021. If you receive a summons, you must complete the juror questionnaire within five days of receipt. Jurors who have qualified for service should respond to the Court’s COVID-19 Juror Questionnaire in advance of their jury service date. You can also request consideration of a postponement of jury service. The juror questionnaire may be completed on eJuror at www.dccourts.gov/jurorservices or sent to the Jurors Office by eFax at 2028790012 [at] fax2mail.com, by email at jurorhelp [at] dcsc.gov, or by mail in the postage-paid summons packet.
For more detailed information, please visit the Jurors webpage and/or contact the Jurors Office in any of the following ways:
- Email: jurorhelp [at] dcsc.gov
- Telephone: 202-879-9604 (The Jurors Office is experiencing high call volumes. Please leave a message for a return call within one business day).
DC COURT OF APPEALS UPDATE 6/30/2021 - For the latest information regarding DC Court of Appeals operations, please see this June 25th order.
The District of Columbia Court of Appeals has issued several orders adjusting its operations to address concerns regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The current order was issued March 22, 2021 and addresses operations through June 30, 2021. The court plans to issue another order regarding operations prior to June 30, 2021, which will further address court operations. All cases scheduled for oral argument for the months of April, May and June will be heard by a panel of judges via videoconference.
DC COURT OF APPEALS UPDATE about the July DC Bar Exam 2/10/2021 - In light of continued pandemic conditions, to protect the health and safety of examinees, proctors, and court staff, while performing its duty to assure the competence of persons licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia, the Court will administer the remote Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), which is now available, in July 2021. The application period will open at 10:00 am Eastern Time on May 3, 2021, and will close at 5:00 pm Eastern Time on May 21, 2021. There will be no late application period. Applicants who sit for the February 2021 exam will have their results by May 14, 2021, which will allow time for unsuccessful February applicants to re-apply. Applicants may check the National Conference of Bar Examiners website (www.ncbex.org/) for additional information regarding the remote UBE.
DC COURT OF APPEALS UPDATE 10/27/2020 - In light of continued pandemic conditions, to protect the health and safety of examinees, proctors, and court staff, while performing its duty to assure the competence of persons licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia, the Court will administer the remote Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), which is now available, in February 2021. The application will open at 10:00 am on November 10, 2020 and close at 5:00 pm on November 20, 2020. Applicants who were unsuccessful on the October exam may register December 16 to 23. Applicants may check the National Conference of Bar Examiners website for additional information regarding the remote UBE.
DC COURT OF APPEALS UPDATE 8/27/2020 - Update on court operations through November 2020, with information on the bar exam, best way to contact the DC Court of Appeals and the Superior Court (and what communications go to each)
DCCA August 27, 2020 Order on Court Operations
7/17/2020 - UPDATE TO NOTICE REGARDING RECIPROCITY FOR THE OCTOBER 2020 REMOTE EXAM FOR BAR ADMISSION
The District of Columbia Committee on Admissions is pleased to announce that DC has entered a reciprocity agreement with Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Tennessee and Kentucky for the portability of scores from the October 2020 Remote Bar Exam. The Committee on Admissions will continue to seek reciprocity with other jurisdictions offering the October 2020 Remote Bar Exam. Applicants who do not wish to have their scores reported to other jurisdictions must opt out prior to taking the exam. To be eligible to apply under the reciprocity agreement, applicants must attain a passing score as set by the jurisdiction to which they wish to apply as well as meet all other admission requirements for that jurisdiction. More details will be posted on the Committee on Admission's webpage in the coming weeks.
DC COURT OF APPEALS UPDATE 6/10/2020 June 10 Order regarding Remote October DC Bar exam, registration and refunds.
DC COURT OF APPEALS UPDATE 6/8/2020 -- In light of continued pandemic conditions, recently released recommendations for reopening the District, and the overwhelming demand for seats for the DC Bar Exam, the DC Court of Appeals has decided to administer a remote bar exam with questions prepared by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. This remote bar exam will be administered on October 5 and 6, 2020. In light of the ongoing precautions, space limitations, and logistical challenges involved in an in-person exam due to the pandemic, the Court has decided to offer this exam in lieu of the September Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) announced earlier. The remote exam, which will not provide a portable UBE score, will be open to all who wish to apply and are qualified under DC Court of Appeals rules for application by examination, including repeat test-takers. The Court will issue an order within a week, which will include a formal announcement and provide details on reopening the application process.
DC COURT OF APPEALS UPDATE 6/5/2020 - Pursuant to this court May 21, 2020, order, the court is no longer suspending or tolling filing deadlines. Unless the court has specifically ordered otherwise in a particular case, effective May 31, 2020, parties will have 30 days (until June 30, 2020) to submit any filings that were due on or before May 31, 2020. June filing due dates are not extended. Motions requesting extensions of time with respect to filing deadlines for motions, briefs, and other similar filings will be liberally granted consistent with the equities of the case.
DC COURT OF APPEALS UPDATE 5/22/2020 -- Due to the overwhelming level of interest in the September 2020 DC Bar Examination, the court will not be able to seat applicants who do not meet the priority criteria listed in the court’s May 4 Order. The Court expects to open registration for additional priority applicants and will provide two days’ notice prior to opening the applications. Please check this website for updates.
5/21/2020 Order Regarding DC Court of Appeals Operating Status through June 30
The Historic Courthouse remains closed due to the pandemic. Oral arguments will take place via videoconference beginning May 26; arguments will be live-streamed to the DC Courts' YouTube Channel. Parties please note changes to tolling of filing deadlines. Emergency filings should be emailed to emergencyfilings [at] dcappeals.gov. The order contains email addresses for questions from the public and the bar.
DC Court of Appeals Update - 5/4
The DC Court of Appeals Committee on Admissions has set September 9 and 10 for the next DC Bar Exam. Click here to see the May 4 order with more detailed information about registration).
DC Court of Appeals Update - 4/10 @ 1pm
The July DC Bar Exam has been cancelled (PDF) ; final decision re: fall bar exam to be announced by May 4.
3/23/2020 Order Regarding DC Court of Appeals Operating Status
By Order of the Chief Judge, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals has further adjusted its operations to address concerns regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19), through May 31, 2020. This order supersedes the 3/16 order.
Statement of Chief Judge Blackburne-Rigsby/DC Court of Appeals coronavirus advisory - March 16, 2pm
As Chair of the DC Courts' Joint Committee on Judicial Administration, I want to assure the public that the DC Courts understand the urgency of addressing the Coronavirus emergency. I also want to keep the public informed of the latest steps the DC Courts are taking to reduce risks of the Coronavirus while also ensuring that urgent criminal justice and public safety matters are handled and access to justice is maintained.
As you can see in the advisories posted in the last few days on www.dccourts.gov/coronavirus, the DC Superior Court has significantly reduced its operations, and only those matters that are urgent and crucial to public safety will go forward.
The DC Court of Appeals has just posted an updated and more detailed Coronavirus operations plan. The Court is not closing and is open for all new filings, through our eFiling process and via email for pro se parties who are not registered eFilers. The court will continue to decide motions and issue decisions on already argued and submitted cases during this time. However, all oral arguments scheduled through March 31, 2020, are cancelled. The Court will continue to decide cases on the summary calendar. Filing deadlines are being tolled until March 31, meaning if a filing is due 3/16 to 3/30, it may be filed on 3/31. The Court's eFiling rules that require that two paper copies be provided to the court are suspended. The Committee on Admissions (CoA) and the Committee on Unauthorized Practice of Law offices will be closed to the public until 3/31. However, the CoA Office will continue to receive and process applications, and grade the February 2020 bar exam. Appellate mediations will be rescheduled. Please see the order below (it's also available on https://www.dccourts.gov/court-of-appeals).
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we all collectively deal with this unprecedented health crisis.
General
The Civil Division plans to resume jury trials starting in May 2021.
Detailed information is on the Civil Division’s full webpage: www.dccourts.gov/superior-court/civil-division.
For information about tolling of deadlines, please click here.
All civil matters currently reflecting a 2022 hearing date year will be scheduled sooner as the Court expands its remote courtroom capacity. As cases are scheduled parties will be notified and receive instructions on how to connect to the videoconference of the hearing.
Free legal assistance
Tenants and small landlords may contact the Landlord Tenant Legal Assistance Network at (202) 780-2575.
For help with small claims, call the Small Claims Resource Center at (202) 849-3608.
For help with debt collection matters, call the DC Debt Collection Defense Hotline at (202) 851-3387.
Visit the COVID-19 resources pages at www.LawHellp.org/DC for information about legal resources and social services during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Filing
Attorneys and self-represented litigants can file documents electronically using CaseFileXpress at https://dc.casefilexpress.com/Login.aspx.
People not registered for CaseFileXpress may file documents by mail or by putting them in the drop box in the lobby of the Moultrie Courthouse (500 Indiana Avenue, NW) to the left of the Information Counter. The mailing address for filings is:
Superior Court of the District of Columbia
Civil Clerk's Office - Room 5000
500 Indiana Avenue N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
Emergency motions must be emailed to civilefilings [at] dcsc.gov
People without lawyers can submit applications for waiver of filing fees by emailing them to civilefilings [at] dcsc.gov
Clerk’s offices
The Civil Division is processing all filings during the public health emergency.
You can ask get questions answered by calling or by clicking the Live Chat button located on the right side of the webpage.
Here are the phone numbers and links that go directly to Live Chat for each of the branches:
- Civil Actions Branch: (202) 879-1133. Live Chat:
https://www.dccourts.gov/services/civil-matters/requesting-over-10k - Landlord and Tenant Branch: (202) 879-4879. Live Chat:
https://www.dccourts.gov/services/civil-matters/landlord-tenant - Small Claims Branch: (202) 879-1120. Live Chat:
https://www.dccourts.gov/services/civil-matters/requesting-10k-or-less
Landlord & Tenant Cases
When an eviction that has been postponed is rescheduled, the landlord is required to send a notice to the tenant at least 21 days before the rescheduled eviction date.
Evictions are stayed to the extend required by law.
For information concerning protective order payments, see page 4 of the Chief Judge’s August 13 order: DC Superior Court Chief Judge Order 8/13/2020 | Orden (enmendada el 13 de agosto de 2020) | ትእዛዝ (በ8/13/20 የተሻሻለው)
For information on the December 16, 2020 court ruling addressing the constitutional issues relating to the moratorium on filing new LTB cases, click here.
Mortgage Foreclosure Cases -
For the general order regarding residential mortgage foreclosure cases, click here.
Crime Victims Compensation Program All applications for crime victims’ compensation funds will be processed by staff remotely. New applications can be emailed to: CVCPapplications [at] DCSC.gov. Please submit proof of crime documents (police report, petition for civil protection order, sexual assault examination, Family Court abuse/neglect petition) along with the application. The application for crime victims’ compensation can be located on the Courts website at https://www.dccourts.gov/sites/default/files/CVCPApplicationJune2020.pdf. If you are not able to complete an application online, you can contact the office via telephone at 202-879-4216 or email at CVCPOffice [at] dcsc.gov for assistance with new and existing claims.
- Citation Arraignments Dates United States Attorney - NOW PROCEEDING
- Citation Arraignments Dates Office of Attorney General - NOW PROCEEDING
- Misdemeanor Status Dates - NOW PROCEEDING
- Ninth Criminal Division Scheduling Order
- June 2021 Announcement re. Resumption of Drug Court And Status of New Admissions
- May 27, 2021 Notice of Expansion of Detained Jury Trials
- May 12, 2021 Standing Order Establishing Protocols for Phase one of the Misdemeanor Case Plan and Resumption of Community Court Calendars
- April 26, 2021 Standing Order Governing Hearings in Courtrooms 116-R, 312-R, and 313-R
- Notice of Intent to Resume Jury Trials
- COVID Citation Calendar for Law Enforcement – Updated April 2021
- Resumption of Mental Health Community Court - 1/19/21
- Protective Measures Implemented in the Courthouse for In-Person Proceedings
- Notice of Intent to Resume Detained Non-Jury Trials
- December 14, 2020 Standing Order re Scheduling
- December 14, 2020 Standing Order re 213
- December 14, 2020 Standing Order re Scheduling and Trial Readiness Hearings
- Addendum A Order in Preparation for Trial Readiness Hearing
- Order unsealing granted bond review motions
- July 17, 2020 Amended Standing Order Governing Filing of Emergency Bond Review or Compassionate Release Motions due to COVID
The Criminal Division is currently operating twenty-five remote or partially remote courtrooms, primarily dedicated to the case and hearing types listed below.
Partially remote courtrooms with judge and defendant in courtroom, other parties appearing by WebEx video or in person (please see Protective Measures Implemented in the Courthouse):
- 301 and 302 and jurors lounge - partially remote jury selection with all parties and prospective jurors appearing before the judge in the courtroom.
- 201 and 203 - partially remote jury trials with all parties, jurors and witnesses appearing before the judge in the courtroom, unless otherwise ordered or authorized to appear remotely.
- C-10: arraignments, presentments, extraditions, after 1pm hearings for those walking in because they have a bench warrant.
- 112: released defendants - status and sentencing hearings; pretrial and probation show cause hearings; those walking in because they have bench warrants.
- 202: detained DOC (DC Department of Corrections/DC Jail) defendants- non-jury trials.
- 120: detained DOC defendants- co-defendant preliminary hearings.
- 211: detained DOC defendants- Felony 1 preliminary hearings.
- 215: detained DOC defendants- Felony 2 and Felony 3 preliminary hearings.
- 310: detained DOC defendants- Felony 2 and Felony 3 preliminary hearings, misdemeanor detention hearings; Office of Attorney General (case types CDC and CTF) non-jury trials and dispositive motions hearings.
- 316: detained DOC defendants - motions hearings.
Remote courtrooms with all parties appearing by WebEx video:
- 111 - released defendants participating in Drug Court or Mental Health Community Court.
- 116 - remote status hearings in misdemeanor cases for defendants on release.
- 210, 213 AM, 220 and 319 - detained DOC defendants - status, disposition and sentencing hearings, bond review motions.
- 213 PM: status hearings set from C-10 for detained defendants.
- 218 and 311: defendants detained in a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) or Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) or other non-DOC facility, released defendants.
- 312: citation cases prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO)
- 313: citation cases prosecuted by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG)
- 314: remote scheduling hearings for detained defendants.
- 317: defendants at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital - mental observation hearings.
- 321: remote scheduling and trial readiness hearings in cases of defendants detained pre-trial.
PLEASE NOTE: In November 2020, the Domestic Violence Division began hearing any cases set on the Civil Protection Order (CPO) calendars for that date and any dates thereafter remotely.. Parties should not report to the court building in-person but are REQUIRED TO APPEAR BY VIDEO OR PHONE, on time. Please click here for the full notice and instructions on remote hearings. Per the Chief Judge's January 13, 2021 order, ERPO hearings are no longer being rescheduled but are being held (remotely), child support cases that accompany a CPO case will be heard remotely in the DV Division, as will criminal contempt arraignments. Motions to Reinstate and the corresponding CPO trial will be scheduled approximately two weeks after the petition is filed.
If you do not want to or are unable to do the call from home, the court has sites available around the city where you can schedule time to use a court computer to participate in your hearing. For information on how to schedule and the location of these remote sites, please click here.
The Domestic Violence Division Clerk’s Office will be available remotely from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The clerk’s office is available by phone at 202-879-0157 or by email at domesticviolencemanagement [at] dcsc.gov.
Most judges and courtroom staff will continue to work remotely. Parties will appear via telephone or videoconference for hearings held in remote courtrooms.
The August 17, 2020 Domestic Violence Division Court Operations plan can be found here.
On August 17, 2020, the Domestic Violence Division issued Scheduling Orders on when hearings that were previously scheduled through August 14 will be held. The new Scheduling Orders with future dates for hearings set prior to August 17 are available here.
Criminal Cases – Domestic Violence Misdemeanor (DVM) and Criminal Contempt (CCC)
Parties in DVM and CCC cases should continue to file electronically via CaseFileXpress. Detained non-jury trials will resume on December 2, 2020. Chambers will contact the parties to set up a remote scheduling hearing that will determine how to proceed.
Current DV Division operations will remain in place through Friday, May 7. All hearings for DVM and CCC defendants set for April 1 through May 7 will be continued pursuant to a scheduling order from the Presiding Judge of the DV Division, other than hearings scheduled remotely. Beginning May 10, all hearings for released defendants will not be continued and instead will go forward remotely on the date and time they are scheduled.
Criminal contempt case arraignments will be heard remotely on Friday mornings. Show cause hearings that are scheduled in a fully or partially remote courtroom will not be continued and will happen as scheduled. All other probation show cause hearings will be continued. Remote hearings for released defendants may be scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays, at the request of the parties.
Civil Protection Order (CPO) Cases and Temporary Protection Orders (TPOs)
- Civil filings should be submitted using probono.net/dccourts or emailed to domesticviolencemanagement [at] dcsc.gov.
- Requests for Temporary Protection Orders will continue to be heard remotely.
- All existing TPO expiration dates shall be extended to the future date consistent with a scheduling order issued by the presiding judge.
- All existing CPO expiration dates shall be extended to June 19 unless otherwise ordered by the court. All existing CPOs that would have expired prior to June 19, 2020, will expire on that date unless a Motion to Extend is filed prior to June 19, 2020.
- CPO hearings that were continued will be heard starting on November 9, 2020. They will be heard on the dates set in the August 17 Scheduling Order.
- If you have a remote hearing, please contact the Clerk’s Office at (202) 879-0157 to give the court your contact information so that you can be reached for your hearing.
- Organizations Providing Free Legal Assistance for Civil Domestic Violence Cases
Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs): Requests for Ex Parte and Final ERPOS are available and can be made by emailing the filing to domesticviolencemanagement [at] dcsc.gov. The petition can be obtained from the DC Courts website here: https://www.dccourts.gov/sites/default/files/2019-07/Petition%20for%20Extreme%20Risk%20Protection%20Order%20.pdf
All Family Court matters are being held remotely. The Marriage Bureau and the Self-Help Center are operating remotely as well. Please call 202-879-1212 with any questions. Parties whose cases are set will receive instructions on how to connect to the videoconference of the hearing.
Abuse & Neglect cases - the Court is hearing the following matters remotely: neglect initial hearings, emergency hearings, dispositions, consent hearings, pretrial and status hearings where necessary, stipulated trials, one day trials of any type. Neglect-related adoption petitions may be filed in a special electronic dropbox starting May 18.
Domestic Relations (Custody, divorce, child support) may be initiated online. Click here for information on how to file. All deadlines in orders issued before March 20 are extended by 90 days. Upon notification, the Court will hear cases that the parties represent are uncontested/ settled, as well as same-day emergency hearings. Emergency motions to modify custody or seek contempt and discretionary matters are also being held.
Juvenile Delinquency and PINS Juvenile delinquency initial and probable cause hearings will be held, as well as other emergency, status and disposition hearings, including the HOPE Court program and Juvenile Behavioral Diversion Program. In addition, trials of detained juveniles will be held if the parties agree.
Private adoption hearings will be held when possible.
Mental Habilitation cases - Counsel for respondents shall continue to file updated status reports pursuant to Administrative Order No 00-06.Review and emergency hearings will take place remotely, if all parties can access the hearing.
Mental Health probable cause hearings and the Mental Health Commission hearings will be held remotely.
The Marriage Bureau is processing applications for marriage licenses remotely and performing weddings by videoconference. Those who wish to apply for a marriage license should visit https://www.dccourts.gov/form/marriage-application.
Name changes - Name change hearings will be held starting 11/9/2020
Parentage & Support - Emergency cases and those that can be resolved based on filings are going forward. DNA testing is currently unavailable.
The Family Court will continue to process documents submitted via eFiling. Emergency matters will be forwarded to the judge for review and all hearings will be conducted remotely. Attorneys and self-represented litigants can file documents electronically using Case File Express at https://dc.casefilexpress.com/Login.aspx. Self-Represented litigants needing to file an emergency matter should contact the Self-Help Center at 202-879-0096.
Please call (202) 879-1212 with any questions.
The Self-Help Center (SHC) is operating remotely- those who would like the SHC's assistance should call 202/879-0096.
Mediation is available for parties able to participate remotely (via videoconference or by phone). Call 202-879-3180 or 202-879-9450 for more information.
The Supervised Visitation Center is conducting intake interviews and supervised visits remotely.
The moratorium is lifted in the probate division and all deadlines are in full force and effect. You must file any filings that were tolled by January 4, 2021, or submit a request for enlargement of time by that date. The moratorium is not lifted on triannual reviews of guardianships.
Click to see information regarding general filing guidelines and the Probate Division operations.
The Probate Division will continue to process documents submitted through E-filing. Emergency matters, such as petitions for a temporary guardian, will be forwarded to the judge for review and all hearings will be conducted remotely. Judges will also issue rulings for non-emergency matters, if no hearing is required.
Attorneys should file documents electronically using Case File Express at https://dc.casefilexpress.com/Login.aspx. Self-represented litigants may file documents electronically using Case File Express at https://dc.casefilexpress.com/Login.aspx.
Self-represented litigants with documents that are non-emergency matters that do not wish to electronically file documents may mail documents to: DC Superior Court Probate Division, 515 5th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20001. Attention: Probate Clerk's Office.
All new non-emergency matters, except for the appointment of guardian or conservator, must be mailed to the DC Superior Court Probate Division at the following address: 515 5th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20001. Attention: Probate Clerk's Office.
Please see the Probate Division's webpage at https://www.dccourts.gov/services/probate-matters for specific instructions on how to file a Petition for an emergency matter. You can contact the Probate Division by calling: 202-879-9460 or 202-879-9461,emailing Probateinquiries [at] dcsc.gov or clicking on Live Chat on the probate page or going to https://www.dccourts.gov/services/probate-matters
Please send Guardianship questions to: GuardianshipAssistanceProgram [at] dcsc.gov
The Auditor-Master is holding hearings remotely by WebEx. Parties may attend by telephone or computer. Instructions for remote participation will be sent to all parties.
Parties should comply with all orders issued by the Auditor-Master since August 1, 2020.
The Office of the Auditor Master is currently rescheduling all previously scheduled hearings, scheduling new hearings, and setting new dates for documents to be produced.
Please submit documents by email to Auditor.Master [at] dcsc.gov or mail to DC Superior Court, Office of the Auditor Master, 500 Indiana Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001. If you need to submit a sensitive document, you can email it to AMFinancialBox [at] dcsc.gov.
If you have questions, please contact the Office by telephone at 202-626-3280 or email at Auditor.Master [at] dcsc.gov.
TAXPlease note: The moratorium is lifted in the Tax Division and tall deadlines are in full effect. You must file any filings that were tolled by January 4, 2021, or submit a request for enlargement of time by that date.
Attorneys and self-represented litigants can file documents electronically using Case File Express at https://dc.casefilexpress.com/Login.aspx.
Self-Represented litigants can also email their pleadings or an image of their pleadings to TaxDocket [at] dcsc.gov and mail a check or money order for their filing fee to DC Superior Court, Tax Division, 500 Indiana Ave., NW, Suite 4100, Washington, DC 20001.
For questions, please contact the Tax Division at 202-879-1737 or by email at TaxDocket [at] dcsc.gov.
The Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division will be available remotely from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For inquiries, please contact 202-879-1549.
Additional family mediation evening and weekend hours will continue to be available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday at 10:00 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. For specific information regarding family mediation and community matters, please contact 202-879-3180.
Documents for family mediation cases and community matters can be emailed to mediationintake [at] dcsc.gov
Parties in civil mediation cases should continue to file the Confidential Settlement Statement (CSS) and Mediation Readiness Certificate (MRC) at CivilMRC-CSS [at] dcsc.gov
If you are not able to submit your documents online, you can file your paperwork by fax at 202-879-9456 or by mail to Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division, 410 E Street, NW, Suite 2900, Washington, DC 20001.
