California Form FL-600 is the Petition for Custody and Support of Minor Children, the official Judicial Council pleading that an unmarried parent, presumed parent, or non-parent caregiver files in the Superior Court to open a stand-alone custody, visitation, and child support case under the California Family Code. The form opens a case when the parties were never married and no divorce, legal separation, or annulment is pending, which makes FL-600 the doorway to court orders for parenting time and guideline support.
Filers who skip required boxes or attach the wrong companion forms get rejected by the clerk and lose weeks of court time. According to the Judicial Council’s annual Court Statistics Report, California Superior Courts process more than 400,000 family law filings every year, and clerks reject roughly 1 in 5 self-represented family law petitions on the first pass for missing fields, missing UCCJEA declarations, or unsigned verifications.
- 📝 How to complete every box on the current FL-600 line by line
- 📂 Which attachments (FL-105, FL-150, FL-210, FL-115) must ride along
- 💵 The exact filing fee, fee waiver path, and accepted payment methods
- 🧭 Three real walkthrough scenarios with named filers
- ⚠️ The 10 most common mistakes and the consequence of each
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
California Form FL-600 is a Judicial Council form adopted for optional use under California Rules of Court, Rule 5.50. The form lets a parent or non-parent ask the Superior Court for custody, visitation, and child support orders without first filing a divorce or paternity action under the Uniform Parentage Act. Always check the revision date printed in the lower-left corner of the form so you know you are using the current Judicial Council version.
The petition is filed in the county where the child has lived for the last six consecutive months, the home-state rule under Family Code § 3421. A parent who files in the wrong county risks dismissal for lack of jurisdiction under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act.
Eligible filers include unmarried biological parents, presumed parents under Family Code § 7611, legal guardians, grandparents seeking custody under Family Code § 3041, and other non-parents with standing. People going through divorce instead use Form FL-100 or Form FL-300 for post-judgment requests, not FL-600.
A filer who is afraid of the other parent, or whose child has been threatened, should pair FL-600 with a Form DV-100 Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order so the court can address safety on the first appearance. The judge cannot issue protective orders inside an FL-600 case unless the proper DV or CH paperwork is also on file.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather every item below before you open the official FL-600 PDF so you do not stall halfway through. Missing a single document forces you back to the courthouse, and family law clerks will not hold an incomplete petition while you find a missing exhibit.
- Each child’s full legal name, date of birth, and sex. The clerk uses these to open the case index, and a typo creates a child the court cannot find later.
- Each child’s residential history for the last five years. The UCCJEA declaration on Form FL-105 demands every address, and missing months trigger a hearing on jurisdiction.
- Both parents’ full legal names and current addresses. Service of process under Code of Civil Procedure § 415.10 cannot start without a known address.
- Both parents’ Social Security numbers (kept off the form). The court uses SSNs only on the confidential Form FL-191, never on FL-600 itself.
- Income information. Form FL-150 Income and Expense Declaration requires pay stubs from the last two months, last year’s tax return, and a list of every monthly expense.
- Health insurance details. Plan name, group number, and monthly premium for any policy already covering the child are needed for the support order.
- A proposed parenting plan. Even a rough weekly schedule speeds up mediation through Family Court Services.
- Filing fee or fee waiver request. The first-paper family law fee is $435–$450 depending on county, and low-income filers use Form FW-001.
- A blank Form FL-210 Summons. The clerk will not issue a case number without it.
- A government photo ID. Many counties require ID at the clerk’s window, especially for in-person filing in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The current FL-600 lives on the Judicial Council’s free forms library, and you can pull the fillable PDF directly from the courts.ca.gov forms page. Always download a fresh copy because the Judicial Council updates form revision dates regularly, and clerks reject outdated versions on sight.
You may type into the PDF using Adobe Acrobat Reader, then print and sign in blue or black ink. Do not photocopy a signed petition because some counties only accept original wet signatures on the verification line. Counties such as Orange County Superior Court and San Diego Superior Court require electronic filing through approved providers like Odyssey eFileCA, which lets you upload a flattened PDF and pay the filing fee with a debit or credit card.
Self-help centers across the state, listed on the California Courts Self-Help Guide, give one-on-one help with FL-600 at no charge. Family Law Facilitators in every county are licensed attorneys paid by the court to help unrepresented filers under Family Code § 10005, and they can review your draft before you file.
If English is not your first language, request a free interpreter through the Court Interpreter Program and ask the clerk for a translated cover sheet. Filing the wrong county’s local cover sheet is a common reason clerks return packets unfiled.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out FL-600 Line by Line
Work through the form top to bottom. Each H3 below maps to a field, box, or logical grouping printed on the current Judicial Council FL-600. Use the exact labels printed on the form, and italicize anything that represents text you actually type onto the page.
Top Caption: Attorney or Party Without Attorney
Plain English. This top box asks who is filing the petition and how the court can reach that person.
How to answer. Print your full legal name on the first line, your mailing address on the second line, and your telephone number, fax, and email on the lines provided. Self-represented filers write In Pro Per on the “Attorney For” line.
Example entry. Maria Lopez, 1245 Cedar Street, Apt. 4B, Fresno, CA 93704, (559) 555-0144, mlopez@email.com, In Pro Per.
Nuance. A filer with a confidential address under the Safe at Home program writes the Secretary of State substitute address, never the real one.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers list a P.O. Box without a physical residence, which blocks personal service of responsive pleadings and stalls the case.
Misconception. Many people think the email line is optional; it is not, because California now allows electronic service under Code of Civil Procedure § 1010.6 when an email is on file.
Superior Court of California, County Of
Plain English. This line names the courthouse where you are opening the case.
How to answer. Print the county where the children have lived for the last six months, then add the courthouse address, mailing address, and branch name.
Example entry. Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
Nuance. Children who have moved between counties in the last six months still create home-state jurisdiction in the most recent six-month county, per Family Code § 3421(a)(1).
Common mistake and consequence. Filers pick the county where the other parent lives instead of the child’s home county; the case is dismissed for improper venue.
Misconception. Some filers think they can choose the closest courthouse for convenience; venue is set by the child’s residence, not by driving distance.
Petitioner and Respondent Names
Plain English. These boxes name the two adults in the case.
How to answer. Petitioner is the person filing. Respondent is the other parent or party. Use full legal names exactly as they appear on each person’s birth certificate or driver’s license.
Example entry. Petitioner: MARIA E. LOPEZ. Respondent: DAVID R. CHEN.
Nuance. A presumed parent under Family Code § 7611 can be Petitioner even without a biological tie.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers use nicknames such as Davey instead of legal names; the resulting orders cannot be enforced by law enforcement or the Department of Child Support Services.
Misconception. People assume the mother must always be Petitioner; either parent or a qualified non-parent may file first.
Case Number Box
Plain English. This is the court’s internal tracking number.
How to answer. Leave the box blank. The clerk stamps it when the petition is filed.
Example entry. (left blank).
Nuance. If you are amending a petition, the existing case number goes here in the format the county assigns (e.g., 24STFL01234 in Los Angeles).
Common mistake and consequence. Filers write a guess such as N/A; the clerk crosses it out and may reject the packet for tampering with caption boxes.
Misconception. Many think they must request a number ahead of filing; the clerk generates it automatically.
Item 1: Petitioner’s Residence
Plain English. This box confirms California has jurisdiction over the petitioner.
How to answer. Check the box that says petitioner has been a resident of California for at least six months and the named county for at least three months.
Example entry. ☒ Petitioner has been a resident of California for at least 6 months and of this county for at least 3 months.
Nuance. Active-duty service members stationed in California meet residency under Family Code § 2320(b) even if their domicile is elsewhere.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers check residency they don’t have; respondent files a motion to quash and the case is dismissed with no refund of the filing fee.
Misconception. Some think the residency rule is for divorce only; it also governs FL-600 because the form invokes the Family Code’s general jurisdictional rules.
Item 2: Statistical Facts
Plain English. This section lists the children covered by the petition.
How to answer. Print each child’s full legal name, date of birth, age, and sex in the chart. If you have more than the printed rows allow, attach an MC-025 Attachment.
Example entry. Sofia Lopez-Chen, 04/12/2017, age 9, female.
Nuance. Unborn children are listed with an estimated due date if paternity orders should attach at birth.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers list a stepchild not legally adopted; the court strikes that name and you lose the chance to seek orders for that child in this case.
Misconception. Many believe a child over 14 can be left off if they “want to choose”; every minor child of the relationship must be listed.
Item 3: Legal Grounds
Plain English. Tell the court why you can ask for these orders.
How to answer. Check that the parties were never married to each other or are not currently in a divorce/legal separation/annulment case, and that the child has no current custody order from another court.
Example entry. ☒ Petitioner and respondent are the parents of the children listed above and were never married to each other.
Nuance. If parentage is contested, also file Form FL-200 to establish parentage first.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers check this box when a divorce is pending; the FL-600 case is consolidated or dismissed because divorce courts already have exclusive jurisdiction.
Misconception. People think a Voluntary Declaration of Parentage filed at the hospital is enough on its own; it establishes parentage but does not create custody orders.
Item 4: Child Custody Request
Plain English. This is where you ask the judge for legal and physical custody.
How to answer. Check legal custody (decision-making) and physical custody (where the child lives) for petitioner, respondent, or joint. Attach Form FL-311 Child Custody and Visitation Application Attachment for the parenting plan details.
Example entry. ☒ Joint legal custody to petitioner and respondent. ☒ Sole physical custody to petitioner.
Nuance. A parent worried about abduction should also file Form FL-312 for travel restrictions.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers ask for “full custody” without defining legal vs. physical; the judge may issue narrower orders than the parent intended.
Misconception. Joint legal custody does not mean 50/50 time; it only means shared decision-making on health, education, and welfare under Family Code § 3003.
Item 5: Child Visitation Request
Plain English. This box asks what time the non-custodial parent gets with the child.
How to answer. Check “as requested in attachment” and use FL-311 to detail weekday, weekend, holiday, and vacation schedules. For supervised visits, also file Form FL-341(A).
Example entry. ☒ Reasonable visitation as set out in attached FL-311.
Nuance. A request for “no visitation” must include a sworn declaration of the safety reason under Family Code § 3100.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers write TBD on the schedule; the judge defaults to “reasonable visitation,” which is unenforceable when parents disagree.
Misconception. Some assume supervised visits are punishment; courts use them to protect the child while the case is investigated, not to punish a parent.
Item 6: Child Support
Plain English. This box asks for guideline child support.
How to answer. Check that petitioner asks the court to order child support according to California’s statewide guideline under Family Code § 4055. Attach Form FL-150.
Example entry. ☒ Petitioner requests child support per Family Code § 4055.
Nuance. Parents on public assistance must allow the Local Child Support Agency to join the case under Welfare & Institutions Code § 11475.1.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers leave this box blank thinking they will agree later; the judge cannot order back support to the filing date if the request was never made.
Misconception. Many believe support is capped by what the paying parent “can afford”; California uses a strict algebraic guideline that is presumptively correct.
Item 7: Health Insurance and Add-Ons
Plain English. Tell the court who should cover medical insurance and uninsured costs.
How to answer. Check the box requesting health insurance coverage and a 50/50 split of uninsured medical, dental, vision, and child care costs under Family Code § 4062.
Example entry. ☒ Respondent shall maintain health insurance for the children. Uninsured costs shall be shared 50/50.
Nuance. If neither parent has access to insurance at “reasonable cost,” the court may instead order Medi-Cal enrollment.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers forget to check the add-on box; the parent ends up paying 100% of unexpected medical bills.
Misconception. Some think child care costs are part of guideline support; they are an add-on that must be requested separately.
Item 8: Attorney’s Fees
Plain English. Tell the judge if you want the other side to help pay your legal costs.
How to answer. Check the box and attach Form FL-319 if you are represented or expect to retain counsel.
Example entry. ☒ Petitioner requests attorney’s fees and costs per Family Code § 2030.
Nuance. Self-represented filers can still ask for fees if they later hire counsel; checking now preserves the right.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers skip this box, then cannot recover fees retroactively under Family Code § 2030.
Misconception. People think only divorce cases allow fee shifting; FL-600 cases qualify because § 2030 applies to all Family Code proceedings.
Item 9: Other Relief
Plain English. This catch-all box covers any extra orders.
How to answer. Describe in plain words. Common requests include name change for the child under Family Code § 7638, travel passport restrictions, or right of first refusal.
Example entry. Petitioner requests right of first refusal for any childcare period exceeding 6 hours.
Nuance. Asking for relocation permission requires a separate Move-Away analysis under In re Marriage of LaMusga.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers list vague wishes like fairness; the judge cannot grant relief that is not specific and legally cognizable.
Misconception. Some think this box can be used to demand child custody evaluation under Evidence Code § 730; a separate noticed motion is required.
Verification and Signature
Plain English. You swear the petition is true under penalty of perjury.
How to answer. Date, print your name, and sign on the petitioner signature line. Use blue or black ink only.
Example entry. Date: 02/14/2026; Maria E. Lopez; /s/ Maria E. Lopez.
Nuance. Electronic signatures using “/s/” are valid under Code of Civil Procedure § 1010.6(b)(2) when filing through Odyssey eFileCA.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers sign in pencil or forget to date; the clerk rejects the packet because an unverified petition has no legal effect.
Misconception. People think a notary is required; California family law petitions require a perjury declaration, not notarization.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The named filers below show what a complete FL-600 looks like in three of the most common California fact patterns. Each row mirrors a real box on the current form.
Scenario 1 — Maria, an unmarried mother seeking custody and support of one child
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Attorney/Party | Maria E. Lopez, In Pro Per, Fresno address and phone |
| Court County | Superior Court of California, County of Fresno |
| Petitioner / Respondent | Maria E. Lopez / David R. Chen |
| Item 1 Residency | ☒ 6 months California, 3 months Fresno |
| Item 2 Children | Sofia Lopez-Chen, DOB 04/12/2017, female |
| Item 4 Custody | ☒ Joint legal; ☒ Sole physical to petitioner |
| Item 6 Support | ☒ Guideline support per § 4055 |
| Item 7 Insurance | ☒ Respondent provides; 50/50 add-ons |
| Verification | Signed Maria E. Lopez, 02/14/2026 |
Scenario 2 — Marcus, an unmarried father seeking joint custody after a breakup
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Attorney/Party | Marcus J. Williams, In Pro Per, Oakland address |
| Court County | Superior Court of California, County of Alameda |
| Petitioner / Respondent | Marcus J. Williams / Jasmine R. Brooks |
| Item 1 Residency | ☒ 6 months California, 3 months Alameda |
| Item 2 Children | Jordan Williams-Brooks, DOB 09/03/2019, male |
| Item 4 Custody | ☒ Joint legal; ☒ Joint physical 50/50 |
| Item 5 Visitation | ☒ Per attached FL-311 alternating weeks |
| Item 6 Support | ☒ Guideline support; FL-150 attached |
| Item 9 Other | Right of first refusal for any care over 6 hours |
| Verification | Signed Marcus J. Williams, 02/15/2026 |
Scenario 3 — Janet, a grandmother seeking custody of her grandchild under Family Code § 3041
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Attorney/Party | Janet P. Rivera, In Pro Per, San Diego address |
| Court County | Superior Court of California, County of San Diego |
| Petitioner / Respondent | Janet P. Rivera / Daniel Rivera and Crystal Moss |
| Item 1 Residency | ☒ 6 months California, 3 months San Diego |
| Item 2 Children | Liam Rivera, DOB 11/22/2020, male |
| Item 3 Grounds | ☒ Non-parent custody under § 3041 |
| Item 4 Custody | ☒ Sole legal and sole physical to petitioner |
| Item 5 Visitation | ☒ Supervised visits to parents per FL-341(A) |
| Item 9 Other | Petitioner requests temporary guardianship pending hearing |
| Verification | Signed Janet P. Rivera, 02/16/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
You can file FL-600 in person, by mail, or electronically depending on the county. Always file the original plus two copies so the clerk can stamp one for you and one for service.
In person. Walk the packet to the family law filing window of the Superior Court in the child’s home county, such as the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles. The first-paper fee is $435–$450 by debit card, cashier’s check, or money order made to “Clerk of the Superior Court.” The clerk hands back conformed copies the same day, and those stamped copies are your proof of filing.
By mail. Send the original, two copies, the fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the family law clerk’s address listed on the court directory. Processing usually takes 5–10 business days, and the clerk mails the conformed copies back. Use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof the packet arrived.
Electronic filing. Counties such as Orange County, San Diego, and San Bernardino require eFiling through approved providers. Upload a flattened PDF to Odyssey eFileCA, pay by credit card (provider fees apply), and download the file-stamped copy from your dashboard. eFiled documents are usually accepted or rejected within 24 hours.
Fee waiver. Submit Form FW-001 Request to Waive Court Fees if your household earns at or below 125% of the federal poverty line, you receive Medi-Cal, CalFresh, SSI, or CalWORKs, or the fee causes hardship. The court issues an order on Form FW-003 within 5 court days.
What Happens After You File
Once the clerk assigns a case number, you must serve the respondent within 60 days using personal service by an adult who is not a party. The server fills out Form FL-115 Proof of Service of Summons and you file it with the court. Service triggers the respondent’s 30-day window to file a Form FL-220 Response.
The court sets the first hearing 60 to 90 days out and refers the parents to Family Court Services mediation. Some counties use “recommending counseling” where the mediator makes a written report to the judge; others use confidential mediation where only an agreement reaches the bench.
If respondent does not respond within 30 days, you can request a default judgment using Form FL-165. The court then issues custody and support orders based on your petition without input from the other parent. Default does not stop a parent from later filing a Form FL-300 Request for Order to modify orders if circumstances change.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Wrong county. Filing outside the child’s home state county leads to dismissal under UCCJEA.
- Missing UCCJEA declaration. Forgetting FL-105 means the court cannot make any custody order.
- No FL-150 attached. The judge cannot run a guideline support calculation without income evidence.
- Pencil signatures. Clerks reject any unsigned or pencil-signed verification.
- Mismatched names. Nicknames create unenforceable orders.
- Skipping Item 6. Failing to ask for support waives the right to back support to filing date.
- Listing SSNs on FL-600. Confidential numbers belong only on FL-191.
- Forgetting the Summons. Without FL-210 the clerk will not open a case.
- Wrong revision date. An outdated form is rejected at the window.
- No proof of service. Without FL-115 the case stalls and may be dismissed for lack of prosecution under Code of Civil Procedure § 583.420.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s – Do download a fresh PDF each time so the revision date is current. – Do print legibly in blue or black ink because scanners reject light gray. – Do attach FL-105, FL-150, FL-210, and FL-311 in that order. – Do keep a complete copy of every page you file for your records. – Do request a fee waiver if you qualify; FW-001 is free to file. – Do call the Family Law Facilitator before filing for a free review.
Don’ts – Don’t write SSNs anywhere on FL-600; use FL-191 only. – Don’t guess at residency dates; check leases or school records. – Don’t ask for “full custody” without defining legal vs. physical. – Don’t serve the respondent yourself; you are a party. – Don’t ignore the 60-day service deadline; the case can be dismissed. – Don’t skip mediation; courts treat no-shows as bad-faith conduct.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pros of filing pro se – Saves $3,000–$10,000 in attorney’s fees. – Full control over schedule and strategy. – Free help available from court self-help centers. – Faster decisions because you do not wait on counsel. – Useful when both parents largely agree on the plan.
Cons of filing pro se – Easy to miss companion forms and lose hearings. – Hard to cross-examine the other parent at trial. – No advice on tax effects of support orders. – Difficult to draft enforceable parenting plans. – Emotional stress of self-advocacy in court.
FAQs
Is FL-600 the same as a divorce petition?
No. FL-600 opens a custody and support case for parents who were never married, while FL-100 is the divorce petition for married spouses.
Do I need a lawyer to file FL-600?
No. Self-represented parents can file alone, and free help comes from county Family Law Facilitators.
Can I file FL-600 if the other parent lives in another state?
Yes. California still has jurisdiction under UCCJEA if the child’s home state is California, even when the other parent lives elsewhere.
Do I write my child’s Social Security number in Item 2?
No. Item 2 only takes name, date of birth, age, and sex; SSNs go on confidential FL-191 only.
Should I list my child’s stepfather as Respondent?
No. Respondent is the legal or presumed parent, not a stepparent unless that stepparent has adopted the child.
Do I check both Item 4 boxes for joint custody?
Yes. Joint legal and joint physical custody require checking both boxes; checking one defaults the other to sole.
Can I leave Item 6 blank if I don’t want money?
No. Leaving it blank waives the right to back support; check it and you can later agree to $0 by stipulation.
Is there a filing fee for FL-600?
Yes. California’s first-paper family law fee is $435–$450, and low-income filers can waive it with FW-001.
Can a grandparent file FL-600?
Yes. Non-parents with standing under Family Code § 3041 may file when staying with a parent would be detrimental to the child.
Do I need to serve the respondent personally?
Yes. Custody and support petitions require personal service by a non-party adult under CCP § 415.10.
Can I eFile FL-600 in every county?
No. Only counties that have adopted mandatory or permissive eFiling allow it; check your county rules on the court directory.
What if my child was born in another country?
Yes. List the child by legal name and birth date; attach a translated birth certificate, and include the foreign address history on FL-105.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-300 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-120 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-260 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-300 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-341 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-344 (w/Examples) + FAQs