FILMING IN CALIFORNIA STATE COURTHOUSES 

The California Film Commission does not issue filming permits for the California Court system.  The state's judicial branch is responsible for management of courthouses and other judicial facilities in California, and administers a program for the efficient licensing of civic and other uses of courthouses, including film and video production.  This fact sheet will assist production companies, other organizations and individuals seeking information on filming and videotaping on location at courthouse sites throughout the state.

Application: Requests to license film or video production in a courthouse or on courthouse property are made by application.  The completed application must include:

• Title and subject matter of the film or video;

• Description of scenes to be shot;

• Proposed areas to shoot interior and exterior scenes, such as, courtrooms, lobby, courthouse steps, etc.;

• Dates and times for each day of production;

• Use of Special equipment or props;

• Facilities services required, e.g., minimum electrical requirements, additional air conditioning, etc. 

Applications must be submitted to the local court no less than ten (10) business days prior to filming.  In addition, Proof of insurance must be submitted before the application can be approved.

Fees to support state and local administration of this program will be determined upon review of the applicant's tax or financial status (i.e., commercial, non-profit, student), duration and extent of filming/taping, use and distribution of the production, and other considerations consistent with film production at courthouses and other public facilities.  An initial estimate of fees will be provided during the application review process.

Links to all appellate and superior court websites in California are available at:

www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm

To contact a court facility administrator, click here.

For film and video production in Los Angeles County only, submit application to:

Christopher Smith

Facilities Services Assistant

Facilities Services & Capital Projects

Los Angeles Superior Court

213.974.6703

csmith@lasuperiorcourt.org

http://lasuperiorcourt.org/locations/ui/listbyname.aspx

Note: Use of courtrooms and other areas at sites are subject to availability.  Filming is not permitted at any time at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center at 210 West Temple Avenue, Los Angeles.

Thank you for your interest in shooting on location at a California courthouse.