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Use This County Probate Reference Before You File

This page is built for the detailed county-level checks that generic probate guides usually miss: local filing fees, clerk contact details, administrative orders, e-filing rules, and hearing logistics for Sacramento County.

Local Fee Schedule

Review county-specific probate filing charges before you estimate total case cost.

Court Rules and Orders

Check the local rules, judge procedures, and administrative orders that can change how a case moves.

Clerk and Filing Logistics

Confirm where to file, whether e-filing is allowed, and how hearings or notices are handled locally.

Sacramento County Probate Court Guide

Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento probate court information · Updated January 2026

(916) 875-3400County Clerk
Family Guide
Professional Reference
Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento|
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Jump to:FeesDocumentsFilingDeadlinesHearingsGuardianship

Filing & Fees

Fee Schedule Signals

Source ↗

Probate Filing Fees

Filing TypeFee
Petition for Probate
Standard probate filing fee
$435
Small Estate Affidavit
For estates under threshold (no court filing needed)
$0
Spousal Property Petition
Transfer community property to surviving spouse
$435
Real Property Petition
Transfer real property without full probate
$435

Accepted Payment: Cash, Check, Credit Card, Money Order

Note: Fees set by California Uniform Civil Fee Schedule. Check returned for NSF voids filing if not paid within 20 days.

Document Fees

Certified Copy (per page)
$1
Certification (per document)
$2
Payment Methods: Cash, Check, Credit Card, Money Order

Fees set by California Uniform Civil Fee Schedule. Check returned for NSF voids filing if not paid within 20 days.

Required Documents

  • Petition for Probate(DE-111)

    Judicial Council form - starts probate case

  • Notice of Petition to Administer Estate(DE-121)

    Must be mailed/served to heirs and beneficiaries

  • Death Certificate

    Certified copy required. Order 10-15 copies.

  • Original Will (if exists)

    Original will must be filed with court

  • Duties and Liabilities of Personal Representative(DE-147)

    Must be signed by personal representative

  • Inventory and Appraisal(DE-160)

    Due within 4 months of appointment. Probate referee appraises non-cash assets.

  • Notice of Administration to Creditors(DE-157)
  • Petition for Probate(DE-111)

    Judicial Council form - starts probate case

  • Notice of Petition to Administer Estate(DE-121)

    Must be mailed/served to heirs and beneficiaries

  • Death Certificate

    Certified copy required. Order 10-15 copies.

  • Original Will (if exists)

    Original will must be filed with court

  • Duties and Liabilities of Personal Representative(DE-147)

    Must be signed by personal representative

  • Inventory and Appraisal(DE-160)

    Due within 4 months of appointment. Probate referee appraises non-cash assets.

  • Notice of Administration to Creditors(DE-157)

E-Filing & Filing Methods

Source ↗
Sacramento Court E-FilingCase SearchProbate Forms

Records portal

Use this county-linked source to check live court-record information when available. Search results may not include every probate record.

Open portal
Source foundSearchable, completeness not guaranteedPublic portal
Filing Methods: in person, e file, mail, drop box

Timelines & Proceedings

Deadlines & Creditor Claims

Key Deadlines

Will Deposit
30 days
Creditor Claims
4 months
Known Creditor Notice
30 days

Creditor Claims

Period Starts
date of first publication of notice to creditors
Statute
California Probate Code sections 9100-9103

Publication Requirements

Notice to Creditors

Newspaper
Daily Recorder
Duration
Once a week for 3 successive weeks
Deadline
Within 30 days after letters issued
Est. Cost
Varies by newspaper and county - typically $150-$400
Statute
California Probate Code section 8121

Alternatives: Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Business Journal

Notice of Petition/Administration

Deadline signal: within 15 days to:

  • All heirs named in will
  • All intestate heirs (if no will)
  • Spouse or domestic partner

Hearing Scheduling

Source ↗
Schedule Online

Typical wait: 4-8 weeks

Hearing Types

Probate Hearing (Petition for Probate)
Duration: 15-30 minutes · Attends: Petitioner, Attorney if any, Objecting parties if any
Final Distribution Hearing
Duration: 15-30 minutes · Attends: Personal Representative, Beneficiaries (optional), Attorney if any

Related Proceedings

Property Recording

Source ↗

Recording Fees

First Page
$25.00
Additional Pages
$3.00
Records Search Property Search

Sacramento County Tax Collection & Business Licensing

700 H Street, Room 1710, Sacramento, CA 95814

Public counter Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; telephone Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

(916) 874-6622

[email protected]

Tax Collector Tax Search

The Finance Tax page links e-PropTax for online property tax bill information and payment. e-PropTax provides current-year secured tax bills, prior-year delinquent secured taxes, direct levy information, tax rate information, and paid/unpaid bill detail using the 14-digit parcel number; prior-year delinquent unsecured taxes and some personal property tax bills require direct contact with the Tax Collector. Verify payoff, delinquency, lien, tax-defaulted status, and payment processing directly with Sacramento County Tax Collection & Business Licensing.

Guardianship

Guardianship is a court proceeding for adults who are not a child's parents to get custody of the child.

Filing Fees

Person Only
$435
Property/Estate
$435
guardianship of person

Guardian makes decisions about child's care, welfare, and education

guardianship of estate

Guardian manages child's property and finances