Legal Assistance

Region Legal Service Office Southwest's mission is to provide comprehensive legal support to Navy commands and individual service members throughout their extensive area of responsibility. Legal assistance is available to eligible clients seeking assistance with personal civil legal matters and may include advice, analysis, research, negotiation, notary services and document review or preparation. Legal assistance also provides services to educate eligible persons and command representatives regarding personal legal rights and responsibilities.

Eligibility for services

People eligible for RLSO services are active-duty, retirees, Reservists on active duty, and dependents with an identification card. Proper valid military identification is required to receive services. An identification check is conducted at the legal assistance check-in desk.

Not eligible for services

People not eligible for RLSO services are civilians or Department of Defense employees who are stationed at a command in the continental United States.

Legal Assistance Office Locations***

Naval Base San Diego Main Office; the main office is located on the wet side at Building 56 aboard NBSD. Coming into the main gate, turn right. At the first stop sign, turn left. Enter the first parking lot on the right and Building 56 will be the second building on your right. While there are certain spaces designated for clients, parking is often challenging, and it may be necessary to use the adjacent chapel parking lot. 
Please call the main number at 619-556-2211 if you have questions.

Attorney Hours

NBSD - Monday through Thursday from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. They are closed on Fridays and Federal Holidays. Please contact 619-556-2211 for further information.

Appointments:

• Walk in Wednesdays- NMBSD RLSO is open for walk ins on at first come first serve basis on Wednesdays for all services EXCEPT Wills and Immigration advice. 
• Wills & Immigration advice require an appointment, appointments are available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; to schedule email NBSD RLSO at sdla@us.navy.mil
• No appointment is needed for notary services, walk in any day with 2 forms of ID

NOTE: You must bring your military identification as well as a state- or government-issued photo identification with a signature on it.

Parking

NBSD: across from Building 56 with designated spaces for clients or overflow parking at the Chapel 

Divorce seminar (walk-in)

NBSD: Seminars begin at 1 p.m. and are offered on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

• Monday - Part I - General information - video and Q&A
• Tuesday & Thursday- Advice on filing paperwork

Please keep in mind that the legal assistance attorneys can only advise and assist one party to the divorce. Ethical rules prohibit representation of both spouses. The other party is free to consult with attorneys at Marine Corps Recruitment Depot, Camp Pendleton, or Miramar.

The scope of legal assistance services includes multiple categories such as:

Information advice only:

• Conservatorships
• Domicile and state residency issues
• Guardianships
• Insurance contracts
• Military rights and benefits
• Out-of-state divorces
• Review of real estate contracts (including residential leases)
• Small claims court
• Subpoena issues
• Transmutation agreements

Advice and document drafting:

• Adoptions
• Advanced health care directives
• Affidavits of paternity
• Child or spousal support
• Consumer law issues
• Debtor/creditor issues
• Divorce in California
• Durable powers of attorney
• Income tax preparations (tax season only)
• Indebtedness letters
• Landlord/tenant issues
• Living wills
• Marital separation agreements
• Service Members Civil Relief Act
• Name changes
• Notary services
• Powers of attorney
• Wills

No support:

• Administrative separation boards/boards of inquiry
• Attorney malpractice or billing
• Business advice
• Ethics advice (including standards of conduct)
• Felony crimes advice
• Financial planning
• Fitness reports
• Lawsuits against the U.S. government
• Medical discharges
• Military justice advice