Child Custody & Parentage Court Forms

Filed at the start of any child custody case. This form provides the court with information about where the child has lived over the past five years, and whether any other custody or visitation proceedings are pending in other states. California courts use this information to determine whether they have proper jurisdiction to hear the case under the UCCJEA (Family Code §§ 3400–3465).

Used by an unmarried parent to ask the court to legally establish who the child's parents are. This is the first form filed in a parentage (paternity) case. The petitioner must identify the child, the alleged other parent, and any existing custody or visitation arrangement.

Served alongside the FL-200 petition to notify the other party of the parentage case and their legal rights and obligations, including the automatic temporary restraining orders (ATROs) that go into effect upon service.

Allows the respondent in a parentage case to respond to the claims made in the FL-200 petition. The respondent may agree or disagree with the allegations and may request their own orders regarding custody, visitation, or child support.

Filed when the respondent has not responded to the parentage petition, or when both parties have reached a full agreement. Used to finalize the parentage judgment without a contested hearing.

The final court order in a parentage case establishing the legal parent-child relationship. May include orders for custody, visitation, and child support. This judgment is signed by the judge and becomes the operative order in the case.

Used when parents are unmarried, parentage has already been established, and one or both parents want to ask the court for initial custody and visitation orders. This form starts a custody and support case separate from a divorce or parentage proceeding.

Allows the respondent to respond to the FL-260 petition and request their own custody, visitation, or support orders.

Used to ask the court to make or modify orders in an existing family law case. If you already have an active custody or visitation order and circumstances have changed, file this form to request a modification. Must be served on the other party and comes with a scheduled court hearing date.

An attachment to the FL-300 that outlines the specific custody and visitation orders being requested, including legal and physical custody arrangements and a proposed parenting time schedule.

Used when a parent has reason to believe the other parent may attempt to remove the child from California or the country without consent. Requests court orders prohibiting travel with the child, surrender of passports, or other protective measures.

The official court order document specifying the terms of child custody and visitation, including which parent has legal and physical custody and the specific parenting time schedule. Attached to the court's final order or judgment.

Specifies the terms under which a parent's visitation with their child must be supervised. Includes information about who will supervise visits, where visits will occur, and any conditions the court has imposed.

Contains court orders to prevent a parent from removing the child from California or the United States. May include requirements to surrender passports, post bond, or provide advance written notice to the other parent before any out-of-county travel with the children.

Sets out the specific schedule for holidays, school vacations, and special occasions, detailing how children will divide time between parents during these periods.

Contains additional orders related to the physical custody arrangement not covered by the FL-341 form. May include provisions about exchange locations and times, communication between parents, right of first refusal for childcare, and other logistical matters.

Sets out the specific terms of a joint legal custody arrangement, including how parents will make decisions together regarding the children's health, education, and welfare, and how to resolve disagreements.