(a) If the plaintiff so requests in writing at the time he files his complaint, the clerk of the court with whom the complaint is filed shall not make available to the public the records and documents in such action before either (1) 30 days after the filing of the complaint or (2) the filing pursuant to this title of the return of service of the notice of hearing and any temporary protective order, or of the writ of attachment if issued without notice, whichever event occurs first.
§ 482.050.Request that Fact of Filing Complaint Not Be Made Public; Inspection of File By Party
Title 6.5. Attachment · Chapter 2. General Provisions · Enacted 1974 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 482.050 lets a plaintiff ask the court clerk to keep the fact of filing an attachment complaint out of public records for a limited period, while still guaranteeing full file access to any named party or its attorney.
Full Text of § 482.050
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the clerk of the court shall make the entire file in the action available for inspection at any time to any party named in the complaint or to his attorney.
(c) The request by plaintiff that the fact of filing of a complaint or application for relief not be made public may take the form of a notation to that effect, made by rubber stamp or other suitable means, at the top of the first page of the complaint filed with the clerk.
Plain-English Summary
A plaintiff seeking attachment sometimes needs an element of surprise — if a defendant learns about the case before the writ is served, assets can disappear. Section 482.050(a) addresses that concern by letting a plaintiff request, in writing at the time of filing, that the clerk withhold public access to the case records until the earlier of 30 days after filing or the filing of proof that the notice of hearing (and any temporary protective order), or a no-notice writ of attachment, has been served.
That confidentiality has limits. Subdivision (b) guarantees that any party named in the complaint, or that party’s attorney, can inspect the entire file at any time, regardless of the request. And subdivision (c) keeps the mechanics simple: the plaintiff makes the request by stamping or otherwise noting it at the top of the first page of the complaint filed with the clerk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a plaintiff keep an attachment filing confidential from the public?
Section 482.050(a) allows nondisclosure until the earlier of 30 days after filing or the filing of proof that the required notice, protective order, or no-notice writ has been served.
Can the defendant still see the file if the plaintiff requests confidentiality?
Yes. Section 482.050(b) guarantees that any party named in the complaint, or that party’s attorney, can inspect the entire file at any time regardless of a confidentiality request.
How does a plaintiff make this confidentiality request?
Section 482.050(c) allows the request to take the form of a notation, such as a rubber stamp, at the top of the first page of the complaint filed with the clerk.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1974, Ch. 1516.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: keep attachment complaint confidential californiasealed attachment filing california