California Courts: Self-Help Center: Families & Children: Parentage: How to Establish Parentage: Go to Court to Establish Parentage Yourself: Start Your Case

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You are here: Families & Children > Parentage > How to Establish Parentage > Go to Court to Establish Parentage Yourself > Start Your Case

File your forms with the court to start your case.

You must also pay a filing fee or get a fee waiver. Click here for fee waiver information and instructions.

To download a form (in PDF format), click on the form number in the table below.

Fillable Form	Form Name	Purpose	Instructions
FL-210	Summons (Uniform Parentage-Petition for Custody and Support)	This form tells the other parent: He or she is being sued, There is a deadline to answer, and If he or she doesn't answer, the court can make orders without his or her input. It also tells both parents that they can't take the children out of California without the other parent's written agreement or a court order.
FL-200	Petition to Establish Parental Relationship (Uniform Parentage)	This form tells the other parent and the judge which parentage, custody, visitation, and support orders you want. Note: the action should be filed in the county where the child lives.
FL-105/ GC120	Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)	This form tells the judge who the children have been living with and if there are any other custody orders related to this case.	Instructions for form FL-105/ GC120 If your child lives in another state; AND there has never been a California order for custody, you may have to file in the state where the child lives. You should check with an attorney, or the family law facilitator may be able to help. Click here for help finding a lawyer.
FL-220	Response to Petition to Establish Parental Relationship (Uniform Parentage)	This form is used by the other parent to say which parentage, custody, visitation, and support orders he or she wants or to say that he or she is not the parent.
FL-150 (form does calculations) OR FL-155	Income and Expense Declaration (Family Law) Financial Statement (Simplified)	These forms tell the judge and the other parent about your financial situation.	Fill them out if your case involves a child support order. Some parents can fill out the simplified form, FL-155. Other parents must fill out form FL-150. Read the instructions on the back of form FL-155 to see if you can use it. A lawyer or family law facilitator can help you decide which form to use. You need to attach: A copy of your last 3 pay stubs, OR A recent profit and loss statement if you are self-employed and/or own any rental property.

Note: You may not need all of these forms. Or you may need more forms. If you're not sure which forms to use, talk to your family law facilitator or a lawyer. Click here for help finding a lawyer.

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Last modified: 03/17/2008

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