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Yes! You can use AI to fill out Form APP-004, Civil Case Information Statement (Appellate)

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Form APP-004, Civil Case Information Statement (Appellate), page 1
Complex · 77/100Form Complexity Index

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What this form asks for

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Form APP-004, the Civil Case Information Statement (Appellate), is a mandatory document filed in the California Court of Appeal at the beginning of a civil appeal. It provides the court with a summary of the case, including the parties involved, the nature of the judgment or order being appealed, and procedural history, which helps the court manage its docket and identify any potential issues early on. Today, this form can be filled out quickly and accurately using AI-powered services like Instafill.ai, which can also convert non-fillable PDF versions into interactive fillable forms.
Fillable fields215
Pages4
Sections37
Tables and lists1
Questions that depend on earlier answers78
Form Complexity IndexComplex, 77/100

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How to Fill Out APP-004 Online for Free in 2026

What the AI walks you through.

  1. Navigate to Instafill.ai and upload or select Form APP-004, the Civil Case Information Statement.
  2. Provide the case details, including the Court of Appeal and Superior Court case numbers, and information about the attorneys and parties involved.
  3. Specify the reason for the appeal by selecting the type of judgment or order being appealed from the provided list.
  4. Enter key dates related to the judgment, notice of entry, and any post-judgment motions that were filed.
  5. Describe the nature of the underlying action (e.g., contract, tort, family law) and disclose any related appellate cases.
  6. Complete the Proof of Service section to declare that all parties have been properly served with the statement.
  7. Review all AI-populated fields for accuracy, then download, print, or e-file the completed Form APP-004 as required by the court.

Common Mistakes in Completing APP-004

The ones the AI is built to catch.

Confusing Superior Court and Appellate Court Case Numbers
Users often incorrectly place the Superior Court case number in the field for the Court of Appeal case number, or vice versa. This happens because both numbers are prominent on case documents, and filers can be in a hurry. This error can cause significant administrative delays, lead to misfiling of the document, and require corrective filings, as the case numbers are the primary identifiers used by the court clerks to route documents.
Failing to Complete Dependent Fields After a 'Yes/No' Selection
This form contains numerous conditional fields, such as the 'Explanation for Appealability' required if a user selects 'No' for 'Judgment Disposition'. People frequently check the 'Yes' or 'No' box but overlook the subsequent field that requires a detailed explanation or specific information. This omission can render the form incomplete and may lead to the court issuing a notice of defect or even striking the document, jeopardizing the appeal's standing. AI-powered tools like Instafill.ai can prevent this by automatically highlighting or requiring completion of dependent fields based on user selections.
Incorrectly Identifying the Basis for the Appeal
The 'Reason for Appeal' section requires selecting the precise legal ground for the appeal, often tied to a specific Code of Civil Procedure section. Filers, especially those without legal training, may select the wrong type of judgment or order, or check 'Other' without providing the mandatory statutory authorization. An incorrect basis can lead to a challenge to the court's jurisdiction and potential dismissal of the appeal before the merits are even considered. It is crucial to review the trial court's final judgment or order to identify the correct basis.
Entering Incorrect Key Jurisdictional Dates
Fields like 'Date of Entry of Judgment or Order' and 'Date Notice of Entry of Judgment Served' are critical for determining if an appeal is timely filed. Users may mistakenly enter the date the judge signed the order instead of the date it was officially entered by the clerk, or confuse it with the date of service. An incorrect date can make a timely appeal appear late, potentially leading to its dismissal for lack of jurisdiction. These dates must be verified from the official court record or the notice of entry.
Inconsistent Party Designations Between Trial and Appellate Courts
The form requires specifying a party's role in both the trial court (e.g., Plaintiff, Defendant) and the appellate court (e.g., Appellant, Respondent). Users sometimes confuse these roles, especially in complex cases with multiple parties or cross-appeals. This creates confusion and can lead to errors in the court's records and official notices. To avoid this, carefully map each party's original trial court status to their current status on appeal.
Omitting Required Descriptions for 'Other' Categories
Several sections, including 'Reason for Appeal' and 'Nature of Action', provide an 'Other' checkbox. A common mistake is to check 'Other' but then fail to provide the required written description or statutory citation in the corresponding text field. This leaves the court without necessary information to process the case. An incomplete 'Other' entry is equivalent to not answering the question at all and will likely result in a notice of deficiency from the court clerk.
Overlooking Special Service Requirements on Public Entities
The 'Service Requirements' section lists numerous statutes that mandate serving non-party public officers or agencies, like the Attorney General. Attorneys and self-represented litigants are often unaware of these specific requirements, which apply in cases involving constitutional challenges, unfair competition, or the False Claims Act. Failure to provide the required service can be a fatal procedural defect, leading to motions to dismiss or reversal of a favorable judgment.
Incomplete 'Nature of Action' Classification
The 'Nature of Action' section uses nested checkboxes (e.g., a main 'Tort' category with sub-categories like 'Medical malpractice'). Filers sometimes check only the sub-category (e.g., 'Product liability') without checking the parent category ('Tort'), or vice versa. This provides an incomplete or ambiguous classification of the case, which can affect how it is categorized and assigned by the court. It is important to select both the general category and the most specific sub-category that applies.
Submitting an Invalid Proof of Service
The Proof of Service is a critical component, yet it is prone to errors. Common mistakes include having a party to the action sign the declaration, entering an incorrect date of service, or failing to fill out the details corresponding to the method of service (Mail, Personal, Electronic). An invalid Proof of Service can nullify the entire filing, causing missed deadlines and potentially leading to the appeal being dismissed. Using a tool like Instafill.ai can help ensure all required fields for the selected service method are completed correctly.
Using Illegible Handwriting on Non-Fillable Forms
When a court provides a form only as a non-fillable PDF, users are forced to print and complete it by hand. This often results in illegible entries for critical information like case numbers, names, and addresses. Illegible information can cause processing delays, misdirected mail, and rejection of the form by the clerk's office. Tools like Instafill.ai can convert these flat PDFs into fillable forms, allowing users to type their information clearly and professionally, thus avoiding these preventable errors.

Frequently Asked Questions About APP-004

 

Is it really free for 7 days?
Yes. You pay $0 today. Cancel before Nov 18 and you are never charged. Keep it, and it is $19.99 a month for 5 fills of your APP-004.
Can I fill other forms too?
This plan is for your APP-004: your own AI agent fills it as often as 5 times a month. To fill other forms and upload your own, choose a Professional plan from your account.
How do I cancel?
From your account, in two clicks, any time. No email, no call.
How does the AI fill out APP-004?
You answer a few questions in plain words, or upload a document you already have. The AI reads what you give it and puts each answer into the right field of APP-004, on every page, in seconds. It checks the answers against the form's own rules, and you review and change anything before you download, print or sign.
What happens to my information?
It is encrypted in transit and at rest, and it is never used to train AI.
How complex is APP-004 to fill out?
APP-004 has a Form Complexity Index of 77 out of 100, in the complex tier: 215 fillable fields across 4 pages. Instafill.ai's AI fills it in under a minute, with every field there for you to review before you download.
What is the purpose of this Civil Case Information Statement form?
This form provides the California Court of Appeal with essential information about your civil case, including the parties involved, the reason for the appeal, and the case history. It helps the court manage the appeal process efficiently.
Who is required to fill out and file this form?
The appellant, who is the party initiating the appeal, must complete and file this form. A copy must also be served on all other parties involved in the case.
Where do I find the Court of Appeal and Superior Court case numbers?
The Superior Court case number is on all documents from the original trial. The Court of Appeal will assign its case number after you file the Notice of Appeal, which you should then add to this form.
How do I know which box to check for the 'Reason for Appeal'?
Review the final judgment or order from the Superior Court and select the box that accurately describes the decision you are appealing. If your reason isn't listed, check 'Other' and provide the specific code section that authorizes your appeal.
What does it mean if the judgment 'disposes of all causes of action'?
This means the lower court's decision is final and resolves all claims between the parties in the lawsuit. If the judgment is not final, you must provide a detailed legal explanation for why the order is still appealable.
What is the difference between 'Appellate Court Designation' and 'Trial Court Designation'?
Your 'Trial Court Designation' was your role in the original case (e.g., Plaintiff, Defendant). Your 'Appellate Court Designation' is your role in the appeal (e.g., Appellant, Respondent).
I'm representing myself. What do I put for the attorney information?
In the party information sections, check the 'Self-represented' box. You can then leave the fields for Attorney Name, State Bar Number, and Firm Name blank and fill in your own contact information.
Who should complete the 'Proof of Service' section?
The Proof of Service must be completed and signed by a person who is over 18 and not a party to the case. This person is the one who mails, personally delivers, or electronically serves the form on the other parties.
How do I know if I need to serve a nonparty like the Attorney General?
You must serve a public agency if your case involves specific issues listed in the 'Service Requirements' section, such as a constitutional challenge or claims under the False Claims Act. If you are unsure, consult the listed statutes or seek legal advice.
What should I do if my case has more parties than the form has space for?
The form has sections for up to four parties. If your case involves more, check the 'Additional pages attached' box and provide the required information for the other parties on a separate sheet of paper.
Can AI tools help me fill out this form?
Yes, services like Instafill.ai use AI to accurately auto-fill form fields from your case documents. This can save you significant time and help prevent common errors.
How can I fill this form out online?
You can use a service like Instafill.ai to upload the form and fill it out digitally. Instafill.ai provides an easy-to-use interface to complete, sign, and manage your legal forms online.
The PDF I downloaded from the court website is not fillable. What can I do?
If you have a non-fillable or 'flat' PDF, you can upload it to a service like Instafill.ai. The platform can convert it into an interactive, fillable form that you can easily complete on your computer.
What does it mean if an appeal is 'eligible for calendar preference/priority'?
This means your case may be heard by the court sooner than others due to a specific law, for example, in cases involving minors or elections. If you believe your case qualifies, check the box and provide the specific legal authority.
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