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Yes! You can use AI to fill out Form SH-020, Motion to Place Documents Under Seal Under Code of Civil Procedure Section 367.3 (Safe at Home)

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Form SH-020, Motion to Place Documents Under Seal Under Code of Civil Procedure Section 367.3 (Safe at Home), page 1
Basic · 36/100Form Complexity Index

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What this form asks for

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This form, SH-020, is a legal motion filed in the Superior Court of California by an individual participating in the state's "Safe at Home" address confidentiality program. Its purpose is to formally request that the court seal specific documents that contain the participant's true name or other identifying characteristics, replacing them with a pseudonym like "Jane Doe" to protect their safety. 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 fields50
Pages2
Form Complexity IndexBasic, 36/100

The AI checks your answers before you download

15 checks built for this form, so a wrong date or a missing answer is caught before anyone else sees it.

Case Number Consistency

Ensures the 'CASE NUMBER' field is identical on both page 1 and page 2 of the form. This is critical for ensuring the motion is correctly associated with the case file as it moves through processing. A mismatch could lead to the motion being rejected or filed in the wrong case.

State Bar Number Format

Validates that the 'STATE BAR NUMBER' field contains only numeric characters. This check confirms that a valid, properly formatted bar number is provided for the attorney of record. An invalid format can hinder communication and verification of the attorney's status with the State Bar.

Exclusive Party Role Selection

Verifies that exactly one checkbox is selected in Section 1 (a, b, or c) to identify the moving party's role. The party must be either a Plaintiff/Petitioner, a Defendant/Respondent, or an 'Other' party, but not multiple roles. Failure to select one and only one option makes the party's standing ambiguous and will halt processing.

Conditional 'Other Party' Specification

Checks that if checkbox 1c ('Other party/parent') is selected, the adjacent text field ('specify') is not empty. This is necessary to clarify the role of a party that does not fit the standard plaintiff or defendant labels. If this field is left blank when 1c is checked, the motion is incomplete and cannot be properly docketed.

Minimum Pseudonym Selection

Ensures at least one checkbox is selected in Section 2 to designate the pseudonym (e.g., 'John Doe', 'Jane Doe'). The entire purpose of the motion is to use a pseudonym, so failing to select one makes the motion invalid. The system should reject a submission where no pseudonym is chosen.

Conditional 'Doe Designation' Specification

Validates that if checkbox 2d ('If more than one party is using a Doe name...') is selected, the corresponding text field for the designation (e.g., 'Doe A') is filled. This is crucial for distinguishing between multiple anonymous parties in the same case. An empty designation field would create confusion in the court record.

And 9 more checks
  • Minimum Document Selection for Sealing
  • Conditional 'Other Document' Specification
  • Signature Date Validity
  • Printed Name Presence
  • Logical Pseudonym Consistency
  • Accompanying Form SH-001 Check
  • Accompanying Form SH-022 Check
  • Attorney Email Format
  • Attorney ZIP Code Format

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How to Fill Out SH-020 Online for Free in 2026

What the AI walks you through.

  1. Navigate to Instafill.ai and upload or select the SH-020 form.
  2. Provide your case information, including the case number and the specific Superior Court details, in the header section.
  3. In section 1, identify yourself as a participant in the Safe at Home program and specify your role in the case (e.g., Plaintiff, Defendant).
  4. In section 2, select the pseudonym (e.g., Jane Doe) you will use in the court proceedings.
  5. In section 3, check the boxes for all documents you are requesting to be placed under seal, such as the Complaint, Petition, or Summons.
  6. Review the completed form for accuracy, then date and sign the motion using your chosen pseudonym.
  7. Download the completed SH-020, ready for filing with the court along with the required Confidential Information Form (SH-001) and Declaration (SH-022).

Common Mistakes in Completing SH-020

The ones the AI is built to catch.

Self-Represented Party Disclosing Real Name and Address
A self-represented litigant might mistakenly enter their actual name and address in the top-left attorney information box. This error completely undermines the motion's purpose by placing confidential information on a public document. To avoid this, parties without an attorney must leave this section blank and instead provide their details on the separate, mandatory Confidential Information Form (SH-001).
Using Real Names in the Case Caption
Filers often incorrectly write the true names of the parties in the 'PLAINTIFF/PETITIONER' or 'DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT' fields. The form explicitly instructs to 'Use Doe name where appropriate' to maintain confidentiality. Using a real name in the caption makes the person's identity public, defeating the goal of the motion. The chosen pseudonym (e.g., 'Jane Doe') must be used consistently in these fields.
Failing to File the Mandatory Supporting Declaration (SH-022)
This motion (SH-020) is legally insufficient without its companion form, the Declaration in Support (SH-022), as stated in item 5. Filers frequently submit the motion alone, leading to an automatic denial because the court has no factual basis for the request. Always prepare and file form SH-022 concurrently with this motion to provide the necessary evidence.
Signing or Printing a Real Name Instead of the Pseudonym
In the signature block, a self-represented party may instinctively sign and print their real name out of habit. The form specifically directs the 'Pseudonymous party' to sign and print their 'Doe name'. Disclosing the real name at the final step invalidates the confidentiality being sought. It is crucial to use the chosen pseudonym for both the printed name and the signature.
Neglecting to Lodge Redacted Versions of Documents
Item 6 requires the filer to 'lodge' redacted copies of the documents listed in item 3, but many filers misunderstand or forget this step. 'Lodging' means submitting the blacked-out versions to the court clerk for the judge's review alongside the motion. Failure to provide these proposed public documents results in an incomplete motion that cannot be granted.
Incomplete Listing of Documents to Be Sealed
A critical error is failing to check every single document in item 3 that contains the filer's identifying information. Forgetting to include a document like the 'Summons' or 'Proof of Service' means it will remain in the public file, compromising the filer's safety. A thorough review of all previously filed documents is necessary to ensure a comprehensive list.
Forgetting the Confidential Information Form (SH-001)
The instructions state that a Confidential Information Form (SH-001) must be filed with this motion, yet it is often overlooked. This separate, non-public form is how the court obtains the filer's actual contact information to send notices. Without it, the court has no way to communicate with the party, and the filing is considered incomplete.
Omitting the Case Number on the Second Page
Filers often remember to enter the case number on the first page but forget to repeat it in the header of page two. This simple oversight can cause the pages to be separated or misfiled by the court clerk. This leads to processing delays and administrative confusion, potentially jeopardizing the motion. AI-powered tools like Instafill.ai can prevent this by auto-populating recurring information across all pages.
Inconsistent Pseudonym Selection
In item 1, the filer must write in the pseudonym they choose in item 2, but people often leave it blank or write a different variation. For example, they might write 'Doe' in item 1 but check 'Jane Doe' in item 2. This ambiguity can confuse the court record and requires clarification, delaying the motion. The name must be identical in both sections.
Submitting an Illegible Handwritten Form
If the filer obtains a non-fillable PDF, they may resort to filling it out by hand, which can result in illegible entries. If court staff cannot decipher the case number, party roles, or document names, it can lead to data entry errors or outright rejection of the form. To ensure clarity, it is best to use a tool like Instafill.ai, which can convert flat PDFs into easily typable, legible documents.

Frequently Asked Questions About SH-020

 

Is it really free for 7 days?
Yes. You pay $0 today. Cancel before Nov 4 and you are never charged. Keep it, and it is $19.99 a month for 5 fills of your SH-020.
Can I fill other forms too?
This plan is for your SH-020: 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?
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How does the AI fill out SH-020?
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 SH-020, 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 SH-020 to fill out?
SH-020 has a Form Complexity Index of 36 out of 100, in the basic tier: 50 fillable fields across 2 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 Form SH-020?
Form SH-020 is a motion used by participants in California's 'Safe at Home' address confidentiality program. It allows them to ask the court to make previously filed court documents confidential (place them under seal) to protect their identity.
Who should file Form SH-020?
You should file this form if you are an active participant in the Safe at Home program and have already filed documents in a court case using your true name. This form requests the court to seal those documents to maintain your confidentiality.
What other documents must I file with this motion?
Along with Form SH-020, you must file a Confidential Information Form (SH-001) and a Declaration in Support of Motion (SH-022). You also need to provide the court with redacted versions of the documents you want to be sealed.
What is a 'Doe name' and why do I have to choose one?
A 'Doe name' (e.g., Jane Doe) is a pseudonym, or fictitious name, used to protect your real identity in public court records. The court will use this name in the public file if your motion is granted.
How do I sign this form?
You must sign the form using the 'Doe name' you selected in Item 2 of the form. Do not use your true signature or name on the public motion.
What does it mean to 'place documents under seal'?
Placing documents under seal means making them confidential and removing them from the public court file. This action protects your true name and other identifying information from being publicly accessible.
What is a 'redacted version' of a document?
A redacted version is a copy of an original document where your personal identifying information, like your true name, has been blacked out. This redacted copy is what will be placed in the public court file.
Where do I provide my real name and contact information?
You should provide your true name and other private information on the separate Confidential Information Form (SH-001). This form is kept confidential by the court and is not part of the public record.
I already filed my case using my real name. Is it too late to use this form?
No, it is not too late. This form is specifically designed to address situations where documents containing your true name have already been filed with the court.
Where can I find instructions on how to fill out this motion?
The Judicial Council provides a detailed information sheet, Form SH-020-INFO, which you should read before completing this motion. It provides step-by-step guidance for the process.
Can I use an AI tool to help me fill out Form SH-020?
Yes, services like Instafill.ai use AI to help you accurately auto-fill forms like this one. This can save you time and help reduce errors by populating fields with your case information.
How can I use Instafill.ai to complete this form online?
To fill this form online, upload the PDF of Form SH-020 to the Instafill.ai platform. The AI will make the document fillable, and you can provide your information once to have it automatically and accurately placed in all the required fields.
What should I do if the PDF of Form SH-020 I downloaded is not fillable?
If you have a non-fillable or 'flat' PDF, you can use a service like Instafill.ai. It can convert the non-fillable PDF into an interactive form that you can easily complete and sign online.
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