California Form FL-358 is the Child Support Case Registry Form, and you fill it out by entering case identifiers at the top, your full party information in Section 1, the other parent’s information in Section 2, the children’s details in Section 3, and signing and dating it before filing it with the court clerk along with your child support order. Every parent who obtains, modifies, or responds to a child support order in California must submit this form, and you must update it within 10 days whenever your address, employer, or contact information changes under Family Code § 4014.
The reason this one-page form matters so much is that it feeds the California Child Support Case Registry, which links to the federal Federal Case Registry required by 42 U.S.C. § 654a. According to the California Department of Child Support Services, the state collected over $2.6 billion in child support in fiscal year 2024, and the case registry is the backbone that allows wage garnishments, tax intercepts, and license suspensions to function correctly.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📝 How to complete every line of FL-358 step by step with real example entries
- ⚖️ The exact legal authority and consequences behind each disclosure requirement
- 👨👩👧 Three named scenarios showing how different parents fill out the form
- 🚫 Seven common mistakes that get the form rejected or trigger sanctions
- ❓ Ten plain-English answers to the questions filers ask the most
What Form FL-358 Is and Why California Requires It
Form FL-358 is the official Judicial Council form used to register a child support case with the California Child Support Services Department and the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement. The form is mandatory in every case where the court issues, modifies, or terminates a child support order, and it is governed by Family Code § 4014 and Family Code § 17430. The current revision used in 2026 is the version Rev. January 1, 2023, available on the California Courts forms page.
The plain-English purpose is simple. The state needs accurate contact, employment, and identifying details for both parents and the children so it can find a non-paying parent, garnish wages, intercept tax refunds, and report payment data to credit bureaus. Without a working registry, enforcement breaks down, and children go unsupported.
The consequence of failing to file FL-358 is real. The court clerk can refuse to enter your judgment, and a judge can sanction a party who ignores the requirement under California Rules of Court, Rule 5.14. A common misconception is that the form is optional if both parents agree on support privately. It is not optional. Even stipulated judgments under Family Code § 4065 require an FL-358 on file.
A real-world example shows the stakes. Jasmine in Fresno files her divorce judgment without FL-358, and three months later the clerk rejects her wage assignment request because the registry has no employer record. She has to refile, restart the 15-day waiting period under Family Code § 5246, and lose almost a full month of payments.
Federal Roots in Title IV-D
The federal foundation comes from the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, which forced every state to create a centralized case registry as a condition of receiving Title IV-D funding. California implemented that mandate through Family Code § 17430 and the Judicial Council adopted FL-358 to satisfy the federal data fields listed in 45 C.F.R. § 303.7.
The consequence of skipping this federal step is loss of enforcement reach. If your ex moves to Nevada, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act relies on registry data to register the order in the new state. A misconception is that interstate enforcement happens automatically. It does not, because the receiving state pulls data straight from the case registry FL-358 populates.
State-Level Authority and Confidentiality
California layers its own privacy rules on top of the federal scheme. Family Code § 17212 makes the registry information confidential, and a person who misuses it commits a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. The Local Child Support Agency in your county is the only public entity authorized to release data to credit bureaus, employers, and other states.
The consequence of confidentiality is that the form does not become a public record in the same way a divorce petition does. A misconception is that a curious neighbor can pull your FL-358 from the case file. They cannot. The clerk separates the form and routes it to the California State Disbursement Unit.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out FL-358
The form has a caption box and three numbered sections, plus a signature line. You complete the caption first, then move section by section, using all capital letters and black ink as the Judicial Council instructions recommend. The form must be typed or legibly printed, and you cannot leave any required field blank.
Caption Box at the Top
The caption mirrors the caption from your underlying case. You write your name, address, phone, and State Bar number if you are an attorney in the top-left attorney box. You then enter the superior court name, branch, case number, and the names of the petitioner, respondent, and any other parent. The case number ties FL-358 to the existing matter and lets the clerk match it to the correct judgment.
The consequence of an incorrect case number is rejection. The clerk’s intake software will not accept the form, and the registry will not link the data to your order. A real example: Marcus in Los Angeles types his case number as 23STFL12345 instead of 23STFL012345, and the clerk returns the form unfiled, costing him a week.
A misconception is that you can leave the address blank if you have a confidentiality concern. You cannot leave it blank, but you can list a Safe at Home substitute address from the Secretary of State’s program if you are a domestic violence survivor.
Section 1: Court Case Information
Section 1 asks for the type of action and the dates that drive registry processing. You check whether the case is a new order, a modification, or a termination. You list the date of the order, the county, and whether the case is a Title IV-D case being handled by the Local Child Support Agency.
The consequence of misclassifying the action is that the registry overwrites the wrong record. If you check new order when you really filed a modification, the system creates a duplicate and your wage assignment may pull twice. Linh in Santa Clara County checks the wrong box, and her employer withholds support under two case numbers for two pay periods until she files an FL-195 wage assignment correction.
A misconception is that the Title IV-D box only applies if you are on public assistance. It applies any time the LCSA opens a case, including parents who simply want enforcement help and pay no public benefits.
Section 2: Parent Information (Both Parents)
Section 2 is the heart of the form, and you fill it out twice — once for each parent. You list full legal name, mailing address, residence address if different, date of birth, Social Security number, driver’s license number and state, telephone number, employer name and address, and email. The Social Security number is collected under the authority of 42 U.S.C. § 666(a)(13) and is kept confidential per Family Code § 17212.
The consequence of leaving an SSN blank is that the federal Federal Parent Locator Service cannot match the parent across states, and tax intercepts under 26 U.S.C. § 6402(c) cannot run. A real example: David in San Diego refuses to list his SSN out of privacy concern, and his ex’s $4,200 federal tax refund passes through the IRS untouched the following April.
A misconception is that the employer field is optional if you are self-employed. It is not. You list yourself as the employer with your business name and address, because the Employment Development Department cross-checks new-hire reports against this field.
Mailing vs. Residence Address
You list both addresses if they differ. A P.O. Box is allowed for mailing, but the residence line must show a physical street address so process servers can find the parent if a contempt action begins under Code of Civil Procedure § 1209. The form expressly warns that you must update either address within 10 days of a move.
The consequence of ignoring the 10-day update rule is steep. A judge can find you in contempt, fine you up to $1,000, and award attorney fees to the other side. Priya in Alameda County moves apartments and waits two months to update, and the court orders her to pay $750 in fees after her ex serves her at the wrong door.
Driver’s License and Employer Fields
The driver’s license number and employer fields exist so the Department of Motor Vehicles can suspend a license under Family Code § 17520 when arrears exceed 30 days. The employer field also drives income withholding orders under 15 U.S.C. § 1673(b).
The consequence of providing a false employer is criminal. Knowingly false statements on FL-358 violate Penal Code § 118, the perjury statute, because you sign the form under penalty of perjury. A misconception is that unemployed means you can leave the field blank; you write UNEMPLOYED in capital letters and the date your last employment ended.
Section 3: Children Covered by the Order
Section 3 lists each child by full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number. The form provides space for several children, and you attach an MC-025 attachment if you have more children than the lines allow. The data feeds the State Disbursement Unit and ensures the right children receive support.
The consequence of an incorrect birthdate is mis-termination. Support automatically ends when a child turns 18 and graduates from high school under Family Code § 3901, and the SDU calculates that date from the FL-358. Aiden lists his daughter’s birth year as 2010 instead of 2012, and the SDU stops payments two years early until the mother files a corrected FL-358.
A misconception is that you list children from previous relationships. You list only the children covered by this support order. Other children belong on FL-150 Income and Expense Declaration for hardship deduction purposes.
Signature, Date, and Filing
You sign and date the form under penalty of perjury at the bottom. You file the original with the clerk along with your judgment, stipulation, or order. The clerk forwards a copy to the California Department of Child Support Services within five business days as required by Family Code § 17430.
The consequence of an unsigned form is rejection. Sara in Sacramento e-files her judgment with an unsigned FL-358, and the clerk’s office rejects the entire packet, delaying entry of judgment by 11 days. A misconception is that the attorney can sign for the client. The party signs personally, even when represented.
Three Common Filing Scenarios
The way you fill out FL-358 shifts based on your situation. The three scenarios below cover the most frequent fact patterns the California Courts Self-Help Center sees in family law filings.
Scenario 1: Divorcing W-2 Employees
| Filing Step | Outcome for Both Parents |
|---|---|
| Both parents list current W-2 employer with full address | Income withholding order issues automatically within 10 days |
| Both list home addresses and SSNs | Tax intercepts and credit reporting work without delay |
| Both sign FL-358 alongside FL-180 judgment | Clerk enters judgment on the same day, no separate trip needed |
Scenario 2: Self-Employed Parent and Receiving Parent
| Filing Step | Outcome for the Self-Employed Filer |
|---|---|
| Lists own LLC as employer with EIN address | LCSA can issue an Earnings Assignment Order directed at the business |
| Lists driver’s license and SSN | DMV suspension threat applies if arrears build past 30 days |
| Files FL-358 with stipulated judgment | Court accepts the stipulation under Family Code § 4065 |
Scenario 3: Parent Moving Out of State
| Filing Step | Outcome After the Move |
|---|---|
| Updates FL-358 within 10 days of relocation | Order remains enforceable across state lines under UIFSA |
| Lists new state employer and address | New state’s wage withholding plugs in without a new court order |
| Notifies LCSA in writing of the move | LCSA flags the case in the Federal Case Registry for interstate tracking |
Three Named Examples of Real Filings
Concrete examples make the rules click. The three stories below show how named parents complete FL-358 under different pressures.
Example: Maria in Los Angeles County
Maria divorces her husband and obtains a DissoMaster guideline order of $850 per month. She lists her downtown LA employer, her residence in Boyle Heights, her SSN, and her driver’s license. Her ex lists his employer in Long Beach. The clerk in Stanley Mosk Courthouse accepts the FL-358 on the same day as the FL-180 judgment, and the wage assignment hits her ex’s payroll within nine days.
Example: James in Sacramento County
James is self-employed as a roofing contractor. He lists James Roofing LLC as his employer with his business address, his personal SSN, and his contractor license. The Sacramento County DCSS opens a Title IV-D case at the mother’s request, and James updates his FL-358 each year because his business address changes. He stays current and avoids the 30-day license suspension trigger.
Example: Tasha in Riverside County
Tasha receives CalWORKs benefits, so her case is automatically a Title IV-D matter. She fills out FL-358, lists her residence in Moreno Valley, and lists unknown for the father’s employer with the date she last knew where he worked. The Riverside County DCSS uses the Federal Parent Locator Service to find him in Texas within six weeks.
Mistakes to Avoid
Errors on FL-358 cause real harm because the registry data drives every enforcement tool. The list below covers the seven mistakes that show up most often in California Courts self-help workshops.
- Leaving the SSN blank, which blocks federal tax intercepts under 26 U.S.C. § 6402(c)
- Listing a P.O. Box as the residence address, which prevents personal service in contempt actions
- Failing to update within 10 days of a move, which triggers sanctions under Family Code § 4014
- Checking new order on a modification, which creates duplicate registry entries and double withholding
- Forgetting to sign under penalty of perjury, which causes the clerk to reject the entire filing
- Listing only one parent’s information when the form requires both, which leaves the registry incomplete
- Writing in pencil or illegibly, which causes the data-entry clerk to mistype critical SSN or DOB fields
Do’s and Don’ts for FL-358
A short do’s and don’ts list keeps you on track. Each item ties to a real consequence drawn from California family law practice.
Do
- Do use black ink and capital letters because the registry uses optical character recognition
- Do update within 10 days of any change because Family Code § 4014 demands it
- Do attach MC-025 if you have more than two children because the lines run out fast
- Do keep a stamped copy because you will need it if the SDU loses payments
- Do verify your case number digit by digit because one wrong number kills the filing
Don’t
- Don’t leave the employer field blank if unemployed; write UNEMPLOYED because the registry needs the status
- Don’t share the form with non-parties because Family Code § 17212 makes misuse a misdemeanor
- Don’t rely on your attorney’s signature; you sign personally under penalty of perjury
- Don’t list children from prior relationships because that data belongs on FL-150
- Don’t use white-out because the clerk treats altered forms as facially invalid
Pros and Cons of the FL-358 System
The case registry approach has trade-offs. The list below highlights both sides drawn from federal Office of Child Support Services data.
Pros
- Pros include automatic wage withholding, which raises collection rates by roughly 75% per federal OCSS reports
- Pros include interstate enforcement under UIFSA, which works only if FL-358 data is current
- Pros include tax intercepts, which recovered over $1.5 billion nationally in 2024 according to Treasury data
- Pros include credit reporting, which incentivizes timely payment under Family Code § 4701
- Pros include free LCSA enforcement help, which saves filers thousands in attorney fees
Cons
- Cons include privacy exposure of SSNs, even with Family Code § 17212 protections
- Cons include the 10-day update burden, which catches busy parents off guard
- Cons include rigid clerk rejection of any form with a missing field, even minor ones
- Cons include data-entry errors at the registry that can take months to fix
- Cons include limited self-help support in rural counties without staffed self-help centers
Key Entities Involved in FL-358
Several agencies and laws work together each time you file FL-358. The list below names the main players and how they connect.
- The Judicial Council of California drafts and revises the form under Government Code § 68511
- The California Department of Child Support Services hosts the state registry that ingests the data
- The Local Child Support Agency in your county handles Title IV-D enforcement
- The federal Office of Child Support Services administers the federal case registry tied to the state system
- The California Employment Development Department cross-matches new-hire data with employer fields
- The State Disbursement Unit processes every dollar of withheld support before it reaches the receiving parent
Related Court Rulings
A few California decisions shape how strictly courts enforce FL-358. The summaries below capture the holdings without reproducing the opinions.
- In re Marriage of Lackey (1983) 143 Cal.App.3d 698 confirms that updates to address information are part of a parent’s affirmative duty
- In re Marriage of Cheriton (2001) 92 Cal.App.4th 269 underscores the importance of accurate income disclosure connected to FL-358 employer data
- County of Yolo v. Garcia (1993) 20 Cal.App.4th 1771 supports the LCSA’s authority to use registry data for enforcement without separate consent
FAQs
Is Form FL-358 mandatory in every California child support case?
Yes. The form is required in every case where the court issues, modifies, or terminates a child support order under Family Code § 17430, with no private-agreement exception.
Do I need to list my Social Security number on FL-358?
Yes. Federal law at 42 U.S.C. § 666(a)(13) requires the SSN, and California keeps it confidential under Family Code § 17212 so private parties cannot view it.
Can I file FL-358 electronically through my county’s e-filing portal?
Yes. Most California superior courts accept FL-358 through approved e-filing service providers, and the clerk processes the form the same way as a paper filing.
Must I update FL-358 if I change jobs?
Yes. Family Code § 4014 requires an update within 10 days of any change to employer, address, or telephone information.
Is FL-358 a public record anyone can view?
No. Family Code § 17212 makes the registry data confidential, and unauthorized disclosure is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail.
Can I list a Safe at Home substitute address on FL-358?
Yes. Domestic violence survivors enrolled in the Secretary of State’s Safe at Home program may use the substitute address in place of their residence.
Do both parents have to file separate FL-358 forms?
No. A single FL-358 captures both parents’ information in Section 2, though either party can file an updated form independently when their data changes.
Will the court reject my judgment if FL-358 is missing?
Yes. Clerks regularly reject judgment packets that lack a completed FL-358, and the California Rules of Court authorize that practice statewide.
Can I be punished for putting false information on FL-358?
Yes. The form is signed under penalty of perjury, so false statements expose the signer to prosecution under Penal Code § 118.
Does FL-358 apply to parents on CalWORKs or Medi-Cal?
Yes. Public assistance cases are automatically Title IV-D matters, and the LCSA opens an FL-358 file as part of the CalWORKs intake process.
Can grandparents or stepparents fill out FL-358 for the children?
No. Only the legal parents or the LCSA acting on a parent’s behalf may complete and file FL-358 because the form collects parent-specific identifiers.
Is there a filing fee for FL-358?
No. The form rides along with the underlying judgment or order, so filers pay no separate fee, although the judgment fee for the case still applies.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-191 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-195 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-235 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-342 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-610 (w/Examples) + FAQs
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- How to Fill Out California Form FL-120 (w/Examples) + FAQs