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SUBP-002Mandatory

Civil Subpoena (Duces Tecum) for Personal Appearance and Production of Documents, Electronically Stored Information, and Things at Trial or Hearing and Declaration

California · Judicial Council of California · Effective January 1, 2012

This form is a legal order that tells someone who is not part of a lawsuit to show up as a witness and bring specific documents or items to a court hearing or trial. It also includes a section where the person asking for the subpoena must explain why the documents are needed.

The court describes it as: Orders a person who is not a party to a case to appear and testify at and bring specific documents or things to a trial or court hearing.

Open the official PDFfrom Judicial Council of California

Where this fits in a case

Discovery

Stage: Discovery

This form is used when a person involved in a civil case needs a witness who is not a party to the case to appear in court and bring records or items.

Either party may file.

Official instructions

How-to guides published by the court for this form.

Common questions

Who is this form for?
This form is used to order a person who is not a party to the case to appear in court and bring specific documents or items. The person issuing the subpoena must fill out a declaration explaining why the items are needed.
What happens if I ignore this subpoena?
The form states that ignoring the subpoena can be punished as contempt by the court, and the person may also be responsible for $500 and any other damages.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect January 1, 2012.

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