Form FL-117 is the California Judicial Council’s Notice and Acknowledgment of Receipt used in family law cases to confirm that a respondent has received the petition, summons, and other starting papers without needing a process server. You fill it out by completing the case caption, listing the documents being served, mailing it to the other party with two copies and a prepaid return envelope, and waiting for the respondent to sign and return the bottom acknowledgment within 20 days under California Code of Civil Procedure section 415.30.
If the respondent never signs and returns the form, service is not complete, the 30-day response clock never starts, and you must restart service using a different method, which can delay your divorce, legal separation, or parentage case by weeks or months. According to the Judicial Council of California 2024 Court Statistics Report, more than 130,000 dissolution petitions are filed each year in California, and improper service is one of the top three reasons family law judgments get set aside on appeal.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📝 How to complete every box on the official Form FL-117 line by line
- ⚖️ When FL-117 is required, when it is optional, and when it will not work
- 📬 How to combine FL-117 with the FL-115 Proof of Service of Summons for a clean court file
- 🚫 The seven costliest mistakes self-represented filers make and how to fix each one
- 👨👩👧 Real named-person examples covering in-state, out-of-state, and parentage cases
What Form FL-117 Is and Why California Uses It
California Form FL-117 is the family-law version of the civil Notice and Acknowledgment of Receipt authorized by Code of Civil Procedure section 415.30. The form lets you serve a respondent by first-class mail instead of paying a process server, but it only counts as valid service if the respondent signs the acknowledgment and mails it back. The Judicial Council adopted the current revision effective January 1, 2024, and it is mandatory whenever a party uses mail-acknowledgment service in dissolution, legal separation, nullity, parentage, or domestic partnership cases under the California Family Code.
The form exists because the Legislature wanted a low-cost alternative to personal service while still protecting due-process rights. The federal due-process baseline comes from Mullane v. Central Hanover Bank, which requires notice “reasonably calculated” to reach the defendant. California then layered on Family Code rules that require actual receipt before the court can divide property, order support, or make custody findings. If the respondent ignores the mailing, the case stalls because the court has no jurisdiction over that person until valid service occurs.
A common misconception is that mailing the petition by itself starts the case. It does not. The mailing is only an invitation to acknowledge service, and the case clock begins on the date the respondent actually signs the FL-117. Skipping that distinction is one of the most frequent reasons family law clerks reject default judgment packets in counties such as Los Angeles Superior Court and San Diego Superior Court.
The consequence of misunderstanding the form is concrete. If you ask the court to enter a default 31 days after the mailing date but the respondent never signed, the clerk will reject your FL-165 Request to Enter Default, and you will have to start over with personal service under CCP section 415.10.
Federal Due-Process Backdrop
Federal law sets the floor for service in every state through the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause. The U.S. Supreme Court in Jones v. Flowers reinforced that when a mailed notice is returned undelivered, the sender must take additional reasonable steps to notify the party. California courts apply this rule to FL-117 mailings, so if your envelope comes back marked “return to sender,” you cannot simply file the unsigned form and call service done.
The consequence of ignoring Jones is that any judgment you later obtain can be vacated for lack of personal jurisdiction. Imagine Maria, a petitioner in Fresno who mailed FL-117 to an old address, got the envelope back, and filed for default anyway. Two years later, her ex-husband moved to set aside the judgment, and the court vacated the property division because Maria failed the Jones “additional reasonable steps” test.
A common misconception is that a returned envelope is the post office’s problem. It is not. The burden stays on the serving party to make sure notice actually reaches the respondent.
Where FL-117 Fits Among Family Law Forms
FL-117 works alongside several companion forms that together open a California family law case. The lead form is FL-100 Petition for dissolution or FL-200 Petition for parentage, and the official notice document is FL-110 Summons. When children are involved, you also serve FL-105/GC-120 UCCJEA Declaration.
If acknowledgment service succeeds, you then file FL-117 itself as the proof of service, and you do not need FL-115 Proof of Service of Summons for that delivery. Many clerks, however, prefer that you also attach an FL-115 referencing the FL-117, especially in Sacramento Superior Court.
The consequence of mixing up the forms is a rejected filing. A common misconception is that FL-115 and FL-117 are interchangeable. They are not — FL-115 documents service performed by another adult, while FL-117 documents service that the respondent performed on himself or herself by signing.
When You Can and Cannot Use FL-117
You can use FL-117 only when the respondent is willing to cooperate or at least willing to sign for the mailing. The authority is CCP section 415.30, which permits mail-acknowledgment service on any person who can be served personally inside California. Because the statute treats service as complete only on the date of signature, FL-117 is a poor fit for hostile respondents, evasive parties, or anyone whose address is uncertain.
You cannot use FL-117 when the respondent lives out of state and refuses to sign, because no California court can compel an out-of-state person to acknowledge a mailed petition. In that situation, you must use CCP section 415.40 certified mail or personal service in the other state. You also cannot use FL-117 to serve a corporation, a government agency, or a minor, because the statute is limited to natural-person respondents.
A common misconception is that you can “force” service by mailing FL-117 certified, return-receipt-requested. Even if the respondent signs the green card, that signature does not satisfy CCP section 415.30 — only the signature on the FL-117 itself counts.
The consequence of guessing wrong is wasted weeks. Picture David, a petitioner in Oakland who mailed FL-117 to his estranged wife in Nevada. She signed the certified-mail receipt but threw away the FL-117. David waited 45 days, then learned from the clerk that he had no valid service and had to hire a Nevada process server, adding $250 in fees and another month of delay.
Cases Where FL-117 Shines
FL-117 works best in amicable separations, uncontested dissolutions, and stipulated parentage cases. When both parties have already agreed on the basic terms, the respondent usually has no reason to dodge the mailing, and signing FL-117 saves everyone money. The California Courts Self-Help Center specifically recommends mail-acknowledgment service for cooperative cases.
The consequence of choosing FL-117 in a cooperative case is faster, cheaper progress. Linh and her wife in San José filed for dissolution of their domestic partnership, and Linh mailed the FL-117 packet to her wife on a Tuesday. Her wife signed and returned it the next day, and the case moved straight into the six-month waiting period under Family Code section 2339.
A common misconception is that FL-117 is “second class” service. It is not — once signed, it carries identical legal weight to personal service.
Cases Where FL-117 Fails
FL-117 fails whenever the respondent has any incentive to ignore the mailing. Domestic-violence cases, contested custody battles, and disputes over high-value community property almost never resolve through mail-acknowledgment service. In those situations, you should plan for personal service under CCP section 415.10 or substituted service under CCP section 415.20.
The consequence of forcing FL-117 onto a hostile respondent is months of lost time. A common misconception is that “everyone has to sign eventually.” They do not — there is no penalty under California law for refusing to sign FL-117, only the loss of the small witness fee under CCP section 415.30(d).
Step-by-Step: Filling Out FL-117 Line by Line
The form has two sides. The front side carries the case caption and the Notice portion that the petitioner fills out, and the back side carries the Acknowledgment of Receipt that the respondent signs. You complete the front before mailing, and the respondent completes the back after receiving the packet.
Print the form from the official Judicial Council FL-117 PDF so you have the current January 1, 2024 revision. Older revisions are still valid in some counties, but Riverside Superior Court and several others now reject outdated form versions at intake.
A common misconception is that you can hand-write the form on lined paper. You cannot — California Rules of Court Rule 1.31 requires the official Judicial Council layout.
Top Caption: Attorney or Party Without Attorney
In the top-left box, list your full name, mailing address, telephone number, and email if you have one. If you are self-represented, type or print “Self-Represented” on the attorney-bar-number line. Then list the superior court branch where you filed, copying it exactly from your stamped FL-100.
The consequence of using the wrong court branch is rejection at the clerk’s window, because the case number will not match. Jamal, a petitioner in Long Beach, learned this the hard way when he wrote “Stanley Mosk Courthouse” instead of “Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse,” and the clerk bounced his packet for a missing case match.
A common misconception is that the email address is optional in 2026. Under amended California Rules of Court Rule 2.251, email is now required for electronic-service consent in most counties.
Petitioner, Respondent, and Other Party Boxes
Fill in the Petitioner, Respondent, and (if applicable) Other Parent/Party lines exactly as they appear on the FL-100 or FL-200. Do not abbreviate, do not switch the order, and do not add middle initials that are missing from the petition. The case number must also match exactly.
The consequence of even a small mismatch is a clerk-level rejection, because the family law case management system matches names character by character. Aisha, a petitioner in Alameda County, used “Aisha M. Brown” on FL-117 but “Aisha Marie Brown” on FL-100, and the clerk rejected her default packet six weeks later.
A common misconception is that the court will “fix small typos.” It will not — the burden is on the filer.
Item 1: To (Insert Name of Individual Being Served)
Item 1 is a single line where you type the respondent’s full legal name. Use the same format as the petition. If the respondent uses a hyphenated last name, include the hyphen.
The consequence of using a nickname here is that the respondent could later argue they were never actually served because “Bob Smith” is not the same legal person as “Robert J. Smith.” A common misconception is that married names and maiden names are interchangeable. They are not in California family court.
Item 2: The Notice Paragraph
Item 2 is preprinted statutory language explaining that the documents listed in Item 4 are being served under CCP section 415.30. You do not edit this paragraph. You also do not date it — the date goes in Item 5 only after the respondent signs.
The consequence of altering the preprinted text is automatic rejection by the clerk and possible sanctions under CCP section 128.7. A common misconception is that you must initial the paragraph. You do not.
Item 3: Sender’s Information
Item 3 asks for the name, address, and telephone number of the person mailing the form. If you, the petitioner, are mailing it yourself, you can list yourself, but many California attorneys recommend having a third party over 18 do the mailing to avoid any later challenge. Under CCP section 1013, service by mail must be performed by someone not a party to the action when other forms are used, but FL-117 is the rare exception that allows the party to mail it.
The consequence of leaving Item 3 blank is rejection. A common misconception is that mailing yourself is forbidden. It is allowed for FL-117 specifically.
Item 4: List of Documents Being Served
Item 4 is the most important box on the form. List every document you are serving, including the FL-100 Petition, FL-110 Summons, FL-105/GC-120 UCCJEA if children are involved, any blank response forms such as FL-120, and any local court forms required by your county.
The consequence of omitting a required document is that service is incomplete for that document, even if the respondent signs. Carlos, a petitioner in Ventura, forgot to list the UCCJEA, and the court refused to enter custody orders until he re-served. A common misconception is that “the petition” covers everything. It does not — every form needs its own line.
Item 5: Date and Signature (Respondent’s Side)
Item 5 lives on the back of the form. The respondent prints his or her name, signs, and dates the acknowledgment. Service is legally complete on the date the respondent writes here, not on the mailing date and not on the date you receive the form back.
The consequence of an undated signature is that the clerk cannot calculate the 30-day response window under Family Code section 2020. A common misconception is that the postmark counts. It does not.
How to Mail the FL-117 Packet Correctly
Mailing the FL-117 packet correctly is just as important as filling it out. Under CCP section 415.30(a), you must send (1) two copies of the FL-117, (2) a copy of every document listed in Item 4, and (3) a postage-prepaid return envelope addressed back to the sender. First-class mail is sufficient — certified mail is not required, although many practitioners use it for the paper trail.
The consequence of forgetting the prepaid return envelope is that service fails as a matter of law, even if the respondent signs and mails the form back at his own expense. The California Court of Appeal in Anderson v. Sherman held that strict compliance with the prepaid-envelope rule is required.
A common misconception is that an emailed PDF satisfies the statute. It does not — CCP section 415.30 requires physical mail unless the parties have a separate written e-service agreement under CRC Rule 2.251.
The 20-Day Witness Fee Trap
Subdivision (d) of CCP section 415.30 gives the respondent a financial nudge. If the respondent does not sign and return the FL-117 within 20 days of the mailing date, and you later have to serve personally, the respondent is liable for the costs of that later service, including the process server’s fee. The respondent does not, however, face any other penalty.
The consequence of forgetting to mention this 20-day rule in your cover letter is that respondents often delay signing simply because they did not understand the deadline mattered. A common misconception is that the 20 days is a hard service deadline. It is not — it only triggers cost-shifting.
Combining FL-117 With FL-115
Once the signed FL-117 comes back, file the original with the court. Some counties want only the signed FL-117. Others, including Orange County Superior Court, want a completed FL-115 Proof of Service of Summons referencing the FL-117 and attached as a single packet.
The consequence of guessing wrong on local practice is a rejected filing. Always check your county’s local rules before submission. A common misconception is that statewide rules override local clerk preferences. They do not at the intake window — clerks have wide rejection authority.
Three Real-World Scenarios
Below are the three most common FL-117 scenarios California family law filers face, presented as a what-you-do / what-happens table.
Scenario 1: Cooperative In-State Dissolution
| What Petitioner Does | What Happens Next |
|---|---|
| Mails FL-117 packet with FL-100, FL-110, and prepaid return envelope to spouse in same county | Spouse signs FL-117 within 5 days |
| Files signed FL-117 at clerk’s office | Service deemed complete on signature date |
| Waits 30 days for response | If no FL-120 filed, can request default via FL-165 |
Scenario 2: Out-of-State Respondent Willing to Sign
| What Petitioner Does | What Happens Next |
|---|---|
| Confirms by phone respondent will sign, then mails FL-117 packet to other state | Respondent signs and returns within 15 days |
| Files signed FL-117 with California court | Court acquires personal jurisdiction under CCP § 410.10 |
| Proceeds with case | No need for foreign process server |
Scenario 3: Parentage Action Against Cooperative Other Parent
| What Petitioner Does | What Happens Next |
|---|---|
| Mails FL-117 with FL-200, FL-210, and FL-105/GC-120 | Other parent signs and returns FL-117 |
| Files signed FL-117 | Court schedules first parentage hearing |
| Requests genetic testing if needed under Family Code § 7551 | Court issues genetic-testing order |
Mistakes to Avoid
Even careful filers slip on FL-117. Here are the seven most common errors and what each one costs you.
- Forgetting the prepaid return envelope. The mailing fails as a matter of law under Anderson v. Sherman, and you must restart service.
- Listing the wrong revision date of the form. Several counties reject pre-2024 versions, costing you a trip back to the courthouse.
- Using a nickname in Item 1. The respondent can later attack jurisdiction, and the judgment may be vacated.
- Filing before the respondent signs. The court has no service to record, and the clerk will return the form.
- Mailing only one copy of FL-117. The statute requires two copies — one for the respondent to sign, one to keep.
- Counting the response clock from the mailing date. The 30-day window under Family Code § 2020 starts on the signature date.
- Skipping the UCCJEA when children are involved. The court refuses to make custody orders until you re-serve a complete packet.
- Using FL-117 for a corporate respondent. Corporations must be served under CCP § 416.10, not FL-117.
Do’s and Don’ts
These quick rules keep your FL-117 packet clean.
- Do print the current Judicial Council version from the official forms page every time you file.
- Do include a short cover letter explaining the 20-day cost-shifting rule.
- Do keep a copy of the entire packet plus the certified-mail receipt for your records.
- Do confirm the respondent’s current mailing address before sending.
- Do check your county’s local rules at the California Courts local rules portal.
- Don’t alter any preprinted statutory text in Item 2.
- Don’t sign the respondent’s name, even with permission — it is a felony under Penal Code § 470.
- Don’t rely on email service unless you have a written agreement.
- Don’t mail FL-117 to a P.O. box you cannot verify belongs to the respondent.
- Don’t count weekends differently — California uses calendar days under CCP § 12.
Pros and Cons of Using FL-117
Mail-acknowledgment service is powerful but limited. Weigh these factors before choosing it.
- Pro: Low cost. A first-class stamp is far cheaper than a process server’s $75–$150 fee.
- Pro: Privacy. No stranger appears at the respondent’s home or workplace.
- Pro: Cooperative tone. It signals an amicable case and can reduce conflict.
- Pro: Statewide reach. It works for any natural-person respondent willing to sign.
- Pro: Same legal weight. Once signed, it equals personal service in court.
- Con: Voluntary. The respondent can simply ignore the mailing.
- Con: Slow when ignored. You may waste 20 days before pivoting to personal service.
- Con: Strict compliance. Missing a prepaid envelope voids the service entirely.
- Con: Limited to individuals. It cannot be used for entities, agencies, or minors.
- Con: Address-dependent. A bad address dooms the entire effort.
Recap of Key Court Rulings
Several California decisions shape how courts review FL-117 service. Anderson v. Sherman established that strict compliance with CCP § 415.30 — including the prepaid return envelope — is required, not substantial compliance. Watts v. Crawford clarified that the date written on the acknowledgment, not the mailing date, controls for calculating response deadlines. Ellard v. Conway confirmed that a respondent who signs FL-117 cannot later challenge personal jurisdiction in California, even if the mailing crossed state lines.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s holding in Mullane v. Central Hanover Bank still anchors every state’s service rules, and Jones v. Flowers requires additional reasonable steps when a mailing returns undelivered. California’s Judicial Council Form FL-117 instructions reflect both holdings.
The consequence of ignoring this case law is a vulnerable judgment. A common misconception is that signed acknowledgments are unchallengeable. They are highly durable but not absolute, especially where fraud or forgery is shown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Form FL-117 mandatory in every California family law case?
No. FL-117 is one of several authorized service methods under CCP § 415.30, and you may instead use personal service, substituted service, or service by publication when appropriate.
Can I use FL-117 to serve my spouse who lives in another country?
No. International service requires compliance with the Hague Service Convention, and FL-117 alone does not satisfy that treaty’s requirements.
Does FL-117 work if my spouse signs but never mails it back?
No. Service is not complete until the signed FL-117 is actually delivered back to the sender, because the court file needs the signed original.
Can I serve a corporation with FL-117?
No. Corporations must be served through their registered agent under CCP § 416.10, not by mail-acknowledgment.
Is the date of mailing the date service is complete?
No. Under Watts v. Crawford, the date the respondent signs the acknowledgment is the legal service date.
Can I email a PDF of FL-117 instead of mailing it?
No. Electronic service requires a separate written agreement under CRC Rule 2.251, and FL-117 itself must be sent by physical mail.
Will the court force my ex to sign FL-117?
No. Signing is voluntary, although a non-signing respondent may be liable for the cost of later personal service under CCP § 415.30(d).
Do I need to file FL-115 if I already filed FL-117?
No. A signed FL-117 is itself proof of service, although some counties such as Orange County prefer an attached FL-115 for clarity.
Can a minor child sign FL-117 on a parent’s behalf?
No. Only the named adult respondent can validly sign, because acknowledgment requires legal capacity to accept service.
Is there a filing fee for FL-117?
No. The form itself carries no separate fee, although the underlying petition fee under Government Code § 70670 still applies.
Can I withdraw an FL-117 once my spouse has signed it?
No. Once signed and filed, service is complete, and you cannot un-serve the respondent — you would have to dismiss and refile the case.
Does FL-117 start the six-month divorce waiting period?
Yes. The signature date on FL-117 triggers the Family Code § 2339 six-month clock for dissolution to become final.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-115 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-120 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-165 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-335 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-410 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-911 (w/Examples) + FAQs