How to Fill Out California Form GC-710 (w/Examples) + FAQs

California Form GC-710 is the Judicial Council Confidential Guardian or Conservator Screening Form that every proposed guardian or conservator must complete and file under seal with the probate court before being appointed to care for a minor or an incapacitated adult. The form gives the court, the probate investigator, and the Department of Justice the personal history they need to decide whether you are safe and suitable to hold legal power over another person’s body, money, or both.

Getting GC-710 wrong is not a paperwork nuisance. A missing date, a skipped criminal-history box, or a wrong county can delay your hearing for weeks, trigger a probate investigator request for clarification, or in serious cases lead the court to deny appointment. According to the Judicial Council of California court statistics report, California probate departments process more than 11,000 new guardianship and conservatorship petitions every year, and county clerks report that roughly one in four GC-710 forms is filed with at least one defective field on the first pass.

Here is what you will learn in this guide:

📋 What Form GC-710 is, who must sign it, and which Probate Code sections require it
🗂️ Every document, ID number, and prior address you must gather before opening the PDF
✍️ A line-by-line, box-by-box walkthrough of all four pages of the current revision
👨‍👩‍👧 Three full filled-out examples covering guardianship, conservatorship, and successor appointments
🚫 The mistakes that get GC-710 rejected, flagged by the investigator, or sealed incorrectly

What Form GC-710 Is and Who Must File It

Form GC-710 Confidential Guardian or Conservator Screening Form is a Judicial Council mandatory form, current revision January 1, 2024, used statewide in every California superior court probate division. It is filed under California Probate Code §1516.5, §1834, and the rules set in California Rules of Court rule 7.1050, which together require any person who asks to be appointed as a guardian of a minor or conservator of an adult to disclose personal history that the court can verify with the California Department of Justice.

The form is confidential by statute. Once filed, the clerk seals it and shares it only with the judicial officer, the court investigator, and, in some counties, the Probate Division’s background-check unit. It is not part of the public file, which is why it is filed separately from your main petition forms like GC-210 (guardianship petition) or GC-310 (conservatorship petition).

You must file Form GC-710 if you are:

A proposed guardian of the person, the estate, or both, for a minor under Probate Code §1510
A proposed conservator of the person, the estate, or both, for an adult under Probate Code §1820
A proposed successor guardian or conservator replacing a prior fiduciary who resigned, died, or was removed
A co-guardian or co-conservator (each co-petitioner files a separate GC-710)
A nominated standby guardian under Probate Code §2105 who is now asking the court to confirm appointment

Licensed professional fiduciaries file a slightly different background disclosure with the Professional Fiduciaries Bureau, but they still must file GC-710 in the case file.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Open the form only after you have every piece of information below in front of you. The biggest reason GC-710 gets rejected is filers guessing at dates and case numbers, then crossing things out, which the clerk will not accept.

Your full legal name, all aliases, and every name you have ever used. The DOJ runs your prints against every name on the form. Missing a maiden name or a stepfather’s surname is the most common cause of a “no match” letter that delays appointment.
Date of birth and place of birth. The court cross-checks this against your fingerprints on Form BCIA 8016. A mismatch triggers a second Live Scan request and a new fee.
Driver’s license or California ID number, plus issuing state. This anchors your identity for the Live Scan operator.
Social Security number. Required on the confidential form only; it must never appear on any public-facing petition.
Your complete residential address history for the last five years. Every move, with month and year. Investigators flag any gap longer than 30 days.
The proposed ward’s or conservatee’s full legal name and date of birth. It must match the caption on your GC-210 or GC-310 exactly, character for character.
The probate case number. If you have not filed your petition yet, leave it blank and the clerk will stamp it on when you file. Do not invent a number.
A complete criminal history. Every arrest, citation, conviction, plea, deferred entry of judgment, and expunged record under Penal Code §1203.4. Expunged does not mean undisclosed.
A complete civil judgment history. Bankruptcies, restraining orders, civil harassment orders, prior fiduciary removals, and any judgment over $1,000 in the last 10 years.
Your relationship to the proposed ward or conservatee stated in one short phrase, for example paternal grandmother or adult son.

If any of these items is missing, stop and get it. Filing GC-710 with blanks is worse than filing late.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

The only official source is the Judicial Council. Always download a fresh copy from the California Courts forms page and confirm the revision date at the bottom-left of page 1 reads Rev. January 1, 2024 (or the most current version showing on the site the day you file). Old revisions are routinely rejected at intake.

You have three ways to get the form into your hands:

Direct PDF download from the GC-710 form link. This is the fillable version. You can type into every field in Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is free.
Self-Help Center pickup. Every county superior court runs a Self-Help Center that hands out blank GC-710s in person.
Through your attorney’s case-management software. If you are represented, your lawyer’s office will pull the form from a vendor like One Legal or File & ServeXpress.

Do not photocopy a neighbor’s old form. The Judicial Council updates field layouts, and an outdated version will be rejected at the window even if every answer is correct.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out California Form GC-710 Line by Line

GC-710 has a caption block, three numbered sections, a verification, and an attachment page. Work through each one in order. Use black ink if you are filling it out by hand, and type in all caps for hand-printed names so the investigator can read them.

Caption: Attorney or Party Without Attorney

This is the box at the very top-left of page 1. The form asks for the name, state bar number, and address of the attorney filing, or of the petitioner if no attorney is involved.

To answer it, print your full legal name on the first line, your state bar number if you have one, your firm name if any, your mailing address, telephone, fax (if any), and email. Use the same address you will use on every other filing in this case. Format the phone number as (415) 555-0199 and the email in lowercase.

Maria Lopez, a pro se grandmother in Fresno, writes Maria Lopez on the first line, leaves the bar number blank, prints 1842 E. Shields Ave., Fresno, CA 93726, telephone (559) 555-0142, and email maria.lopez@email.com.

The most common edge case is a petitioner who uses a P.O. Box. The court will accept a P.O. Box for mail, but you must list a street address too if the court requires service of process at a physical location. List the street address on the second line and write Mailing: P.O. Box 123.

The classic mistake here is leaving the email blank because you think it is optional. It is not optional in most counties as of 2024, because the court sends hearing reminders by email and a missing email puts you on the slower paper-notice track.

A common misconception is that you must use your attorney’s address if you have an attorney; the rule is that the address on the caption controls service, so confirm with your lawyer whose address belongs there.

Caption: Superior Court of California, County of

Just below the attorney block, the form asks which county’s superior court you are filing in.

Write the county name in all caps, followed by the street address of the courthouse and the branch name. For example, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STANLEY MOSK COURTHOUSE, 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012.

Carlos Nguyen, who is filing in Orange County’s probate department, writes COUNTY OF ORANGE, COSTA MESA JUSTICE COMPLEX, 3390 HARBOR BLVD., COSTA MESA, CA 92626.

The nuance is that some counties, like Los Angeles, route all probate filings to one designated probate courthouse regardless of where you live. Always check the county’s local rules before guessing.

The most common mistake is naming the wrong branch, which gets the petition rerouted and adds two to four weeks to your hearing date.

The misconception is that filing in any county is fine. It is not; you must file in the county where the proposed conservatee resides, or where the minor is physically present, per Probate Code §2201.

Caption: Case Caption and Case Number

The caption identifies the case by the proposed ward’s or conservatee’s name and the assigned case number.

Write GUARDIANSHIP OF or CONSERVATORSHIP OF in all caps, followed by the full legal name of the minor or adult, then MINOR or PROPOSED CONSERVATEE. Enter the case number in the box on the right. If no case number has been issued, leave the box blank for the clerk to stamp.

Janet Williams, who is petitioning for conservatorship of her father Robert Williams in Alameda County, writes CONSERVATORSHIP OF ROBERT J. WILLIAMS, PROPOSED CONSERVATEE.

A nuance is that the proposed conservatee’s name must match every public-facing form in the case down to the middle initial. Inconsistencies trigger a clerk rejection.

The common mistake is writing Bob on one form and Robert on another; the clerk treats those as two different people and rejects the file.

A misconception is that the case number on the petition will autopopulate on GC-710. It will not; you handwrite it after you receive it.

Section 1: Personal Information About the Proposed Guardian or Conservator

Section 1 is the identity core of the form. The court uses these fields to run your background check.

Box 1a: Name

The field asks for your full legal name as it appears on your government-issued ID.

Type your first name, middle name, and last name in that order. Do not use nicknames. If your driver’s license shows a suffix like Jr. or III, include it.

Maria Lopez writes Maria Elena Lopez. Carlos Nguyen writes Carlos Tran Nguyen.

The nuance is hyphenated last names. Write the full hyphenated name exactly as the DMV has it; a missing hyphen is a DOJ no-match.

The common mistake is dropping a middle name because the box looks small. The DOJ will not match prints if your middle name is missing.

A misconception is that married women should write their maiden name in this box; you write your current legal name here, and disclose former names in Box 1c.

Box 1b: Date of Birth

The field asks for your date of birth.

Write the date in MM/DD/YYYY format. Use leading zeros for single-digit months and days.

Maria Lopez writes 03/14/1962.

The nuance is foreign-born petitioners with a partial birth date on naturalization papers; write the official U.S. date of birth on file with USCIS.

The common mistake is writing the date in DD/MM/YYYY format, common for filers from outside the U.S. The DOJ will read that as an invalid date and bounce the screening.

The misconception is that the year can be the last two digits. It cannot; always write all four.

Box 1c: Other Names Used

The field asks for every name you have ever been known by.

List every maiden name, married name, religious name, stage name, and alias. Separate them with commas. If you have more than three, attach a continuation page labeled Attachment 1c.

Janet Williams, divorced twice, writes Janet M. Carter (maiden), Janet M. Robinson (first marriage).

The nuance applies to adopted persons whose names changed after adoption; include both the pre-adoption and post-adoption names.

The common mistake is omitting a brief first-marriage name from the 1990s because the petitioner thinks it is irrelevant. The DOJ pulls records under every name, and an omission looks like concealment.

The misconception is that expunged-name changes do not count. They do; list them.

Box 1d: Address and Phone

The field asks for your current residential address and a phone number where the court can reach you.

Write your street number, street name, apartment number, city, state, and ZIP. Then write your primary phone number with area code.

Carlos Nguyen writes 487 Magnolia St., Apt. 3B, Santa Ana, CA 92704, (714) 555-0188.

The nuance is petitioners experiencing housing insecurity; use the address where you actually sleep most nights, even if it is a shelter or a relative’s home, and disclose that to the investigator privately.

The common mistake is listing a business address. The court needs your home address for background screening.

The misconception is that the address must match your driver’s license. It does not have to match, but you should be ready to explain any difference to the investigator.

Box 1e: Social Security Number

The field asks for your nine-digit Social Security number.

Write it in XXX-XX-XXXX format.

Maria Lopez writes 567-12-3456.

The nuance is non-citizen petitioners with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Write the ITIN and note ITIN in parentheses.

The common mistake is leaving this blank because the petitioner read online that SSNs should never be on court forms. GC-710 is the exception; it is filed under seal precisely to hold this number.

The misconception is that the clerk will scan and post this. The clerk will not; the form is sealed at intake.

Box 1f: Driver’s License or State ID Number

The field asks for your government-issued ID number and the state that issued it.

Write the full number with any letter prefix and the two-letter state code.

Janet Williams writes D1234567, CA.

The nuance is petitioners using a Real ID; the number is the same as on a non-Real-ID license, so do not add anything.

The common mistake is writing the document number from the back of a California license instead of the license number on the front.

The misconception is that an expired license is invalid for this box. List it anyway, and disclose the expiration to the investigator.

Box 1g: Relationship to the Proposed Ward or Conservatee

The field asks how you are related, by blood, marriage, adoption, or other connection.

Write the relationship in one short phrase.

Maria Lopez writes Paternal grandmother. Carlos Nguyen writes Adult son. Janet Williams writes Daughter.

The nuance applies to non-relative petitioners, like a family friend, a foster parent, or a former teacher. Write the functional role, for example De facto parent for 7 years.

The common mistake is leaving this blank because the relationship is obvious. The investigator must see it stated.

The misconception is that step-relatives must claim blood; write Stepfather or Stepmother honestly.

Section 2: Criminal History

Section 2 is the highest-stakes part of the form. Lying here, even by omission, can result in denial of appointment under Probate Code §2650(f) and criminal perjury charges.

Box 2a: Arrests, Convictions, and Pending Charges

The field asks whether you have ever been arrested, convicted, or charged with any crime.

Check Yes or No. If Yes, attach a sheet labeled Attachment 2a listing the date, location, charge, court, case number, and disposition for each incident.

Carlos Nguyen, who had one DUI in 2014, checks Yes and attaches: 06/12/2014, Garden Grove PD, Veh. Code §23152(b), Orange County Superior Court, Case 14CM12345, plea to wet reckless, 3 yrs summary probation, completed 2017.

The nuance is sealed or juvenile records; California Welfare and Institutions Code §781 allows you to answer No for sealed juvenile records, but federal-charged juvenile offenses still must be disclosed.

The common mistake is checking No because the case was dismissed; an arrest still counts as an arrest for this box.

The misconception is that out-of-state offenses do not matter; they do, and the DOJ runs an FBI Interstate Identification Index check.

Box 2b: Expungements and Pardons

The field asks whether any conviction has been expunged, dismissed under Penal Code §1203.4, or pardoned.

Check Yes or No. If Yes, list each one on Attachment 2b with the date of the expungement order and the court that granted it.

Maria Lopez, whose 1989 misdemeanor petty theft was expunged in 1995, checks Yes and attaches the 1995 order from Fresno County Superior Court, Case 89-MS-4521.

The nuance is that a §1203.4 dismissal is not a true expungement and the underlying conviction still appears in DOJ records; list it.

The common mistake is treating expunged as invisible. The probate investigator will see it; failing to disclose makes you look dishonest.

The misconception is that a Governor’s pardon erases the duty to disclose. It does not.

Section 3: Civil Judgments and Fiduciary History

Section 3 covers your money and trust track record.

Box 3a: Civil Judgments Over $1,000

The field asks whether any civil judgment of $1,000 or more has been entered against you in the last 10 years.

Check Yes or No. If Yes, list each judgment on Attachment 3a with the court, case number, amount, and current status.

Janet Williams, who had a $4,200 small-claims judgment in 2019, checks Yes and lists the Alameda County case, paid in full 03/2021.

The nuance is judgments later vacated or satisfied; list them and note the satisfaction date.

The common mistake is forgetting medical-debt judgments. Hospitals routinely sue and win; check your credit report before answering.

The misconception is that bankruptcy discharges erase judgments. The judgment still exists for disclosure even if the debt is discharged.

Box 3b: Bankruptcies

The field asks whether you have filed for bankruptcy in the last 10 years.

Check Yes or No. If Yes, list the case on Attachment 3b with the chapter, district court, case number, and discharge date.

Carlos Nguyen, who filed Chapter 7 in 2018, checks Yes and lists C.D. Cal. Case 18-12345, discharged 09/2018.

The nuance is current open bankruptcies; the trustee may need to consent before you can serve as conservator of the estate.

The common mistake is treating a Chapter 13 as not a real bankruptcy. It counts.

The misconception is that bankruptcy disqualifies you. It does not, but failing to disclose it usually does.

Box 3c: Restraining Orders, Removal, or Suspension

The field asks whether you have ever had a restraining order, civil harassment order, elder abuse order, or DV order against you, or been removed or suspended as a fiduciary.

Check Yes or No. If Yes, attach details on Attachment 3c.

Maria Lopez, who had no such orders, checks No.

The nuance is mutual restraining orders; if you were named as a restrained party at any point, check Yes even if the order was later dropped.

The common mistake is omitting an emergency protective order that expired in seven days. List it.

The misconception is that orders from out of state do not count. They do, under Family Code §6400.

Verification and Signature

The field at the bottom of the last numbered page asks you to declare under penalty of perjury under California law that everything above is true.

Print your name on the Type or print name line, sign on the signature line, and write the date in MM/DD/YYYY format and the city and state where you signed.

Maria Lopez prints Maria Elena Lopez, signs in blue ink, dates 02/18/2026, and writes Fresno, CA.

The nuance is electronic signatures under California Rules of Court rule 2.257; if your county accepts e-filing, a typed /s/ signature is allowed.

The common mistake is signing without a date or with the wrong date; the clerk will reject any unsigned or undated GC-710.

The misconception is that a notary is required. None is; perjury declaration is sufficient.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

The examples below walk three named filers through GC-710 from caption to signature. Use them as a template, not as your answers.

Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, Paternal Grandmother Seeking Guardianship of a 7-Year-Old

Maria’s son and daughter-in-law lost custody after a drug-related arrest, and Maria has been raising her grandson Diego for 14 months.

Form Section	What Maria Enters
Attorney/Party Caption	Maria Elena Lopez, pro se, 1842 E. Shields Ave., Fresno, CA 93726, (559) 555-0142, maria.lopez@email.com
County	COUNTY OF FRESNO, B.F. SISK COURTHOUSE, 1130 O ST., FRESNO, CA 93721
Case Caption	GUARDIANSHIP OF DIEGO ANTONIO LOPEZ, MINOR
Box 1a Name	Maria Elena Lopez
Box 1b DOB	03/14/1962
Box 1c Other Names	Maria Elena Hernandez (maiden)
Box 1g Relationship	Paternal grandmother
Box 2a Criminal History	Yes — 1989 misdemeanor petty theft, expunged 1995
Box 3a Civil Judgments	No
Verification	Signed and dated 02/18/2026 in Fresno, CA

Scenario 2: Carlos Nguyen, Adult Son Petitioning for Conservatorship of an Aging Parent

Carlos is asking the court to appoint him conservator of the person and estate of his 79-year-old mother Linh, who has advanced dementia.

Form Section	What Carlos Enters
Attorney/Party Caption	Carlos Tran Nguyen, pro se, 487 Magnolia St., Apt. 3B, Santa Ana, CA 92704, (714) 555-0188
County	COUNTY OF ORANGE, COSTA MESA JUSTICE COMPLEX, 3390 HARBOR BLVD., COSTA MESA, CA 92626
Case Caption	CONSERVATORSHIP OF LINH THI NGUYEN, PROPOSED CONSERVATEE
Box 1a Name	Carlos Tran Nguyen
Box 1b DOB	11/02/1978
Box 1g Relationship	Adult son
Box 2a Criminal History	Yes — 2014 wet reckless, Orange County 14CM12345
Box 3a Civil Judgments	No
Box 3b Bankruptcies	Yes — Chapter 7, C.D. Cal. 18-12345, discharged 09/2018
Verification	Signed and dated 02/22/2026 in Santa Ana, CA

Scenario 3: Janet Williams, Successor Conservator After Prior Conservator’s Resignation

Janet is stepping in for her brother, who resigned as conservator of their father Robert after relocating out of state.

Form Section	What Janet Enters
Attorney/Party Caption	Janet Marie Williams, pro se, 219 Linden St., Oakland, CA 94607, (510) 555-0167
County	COUNTY OF ALAMEDA, RENE C. DAVIDSON COURTHOUSE, 1225 FALLON ST., OAKLAND, CA 94612
Case Caption	CONSERVATORSHIP OF ROBERT J. WILLIAMS, CONSERVATEE — Case No. RP21-0987654
Box 1a Name	Janet Marie Williams
Box 1b DOB	07/30/1971
Box 1c Other Names	Janet M. Carter (maiden), Janet M. Robinson (former married)
Box 1g Relationship	Daughter
Box 2a Criminal History	No
Box 3a Civil Judgments	Yes — $4,200 small claims, Alameda 19-SC-3344, paid 03/2021
Verification	Signed and dated 03/04/2026 in Oakland, CA

How to File the Completed Form GC-710

GC-710 is filed with the underlying petition (GC-210 or GC-310) or, for a successor, with the GC-110/GC-111. Because it is confidential, the clerk handles it separately and seals it. You have three filing channels.

In person at the probate clerk’s window. Bring the original signed GC-710 plus one copy. The clerk will conform-stamp your copy and place the original in the sealed envelope. The base petition fee under Government Code §70657 is currently $435, plus county surcharges of $25–$50 depending on the county. Payment is by check, money order, debit, or credit. Keep the conformed copy as your proof of filing.

By mail. Mail the original, one copy, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check made out to the Clerk of the Superior Court to the probate division of the county courthouse. Use certified mail with return receipt. Processing time is typically 5–10 business days, longer in Los Angeles. Your proof of filing is the conformed copy returned by the clerk.

By electronic filing. In counties that mandate e-filing, like Orange, San Diego, and Los Angeles for represented parties, use an approved electronic filing service provider such as One Legal, File & ServeXpress, or Odyssey eFileCA. Upload GC-710 as a confidential document type so it is automatically sealed. Fees are paid by credit card at the same statutory amount. Your proof of filing is the EFSP confirmation email plus the court’s endorsed copy returned within 24–48 hours.

A fee waiver is available if you cannot afford the filing fee; submit Form FW-001 at the same time you file GC-710.

What Happens After You File

Once GC-710 is filed and sealed, the court routes a copy to its probate investigator and to the DOJ background-check unit along with your Live Scan results. The investigator then contacts you to schedule an interview, which is required under Probate Code §1513 for guardianships and §1826 for conservatorships.

The investigator’s report goes to the judge before your appointment hearing, usually within 30–45 days. The report may recommend appointment, recommend denial, or recommend appointment with conditions such as a bond, supervised visitation, or limited powers. If your GC-710 disclosed criminal or civil history, the investigator will ask follow-up questions; honest disclosure almost always weighs in your favor.

At the appointment hearing, the judge will ask whether the GC-710 is still accurate. If anything has changed, you must file an amended GC-710 before the hearing. After appointment, the form stays under seal in the case file and is only reopened if a successor petition or removal motion is filed.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out Form GC-710

Skipping a middle name in Box 1a. The DOJ will return a no-match and your hearing slips by 30 days.
Writing the date as DD/MM/YYYY. The clerk reads the date as invalid and rejects the filing.
Omitting a maiden or former married name in Box 1c. Investigators treat omitted names as concealment.
Checking No in Box 2a because the case was dismissed. Any arrest counts as an arrest.
Failing to disclose an expunged conviction in Box 2b. Expungement does not erase the duty to disclose.
Forgetting a small-claims judgment in Box 3a. Medical and credit-card judgments routinely surprise filers.
Leaving Box 1e (SSN) blank for privacy reasons. GC-710 is sealed precisely to hold this number.
Signing without dating. An undated verification is a void verification.
Using an outdated revision of the form. The clerk rejects forms older than the current Judicial Council revision.
Filing GC-710 in the public file instead of the confidential file. Filing it openly exposes your SSN to the world and may breach Probate Code §1834.
Using a P.O. Box in Box 1d without a street address. Investigators must visit your home.
Mismatching the proposed ward’s name on the caption. Names that differ between GC-710 and GC-210 trigger automatic rejection.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

Do download a fresh copy from the Judicial Council forms page the day you fill it out, because revisions happen mid-year.
Do run a personal background check on yourself first, because the DOJ will find what you forgot.
Do attach continuation sheets clearly labeled Attachment 1c, Attachment 2a, etc., so the investigator can follow your answers.
Do keep a sealed personal copy for your own records, because the court will not give you another after sealing.
Do call the probate investigator’s office to confirm the interview time, because missed interviews delay appointment by weeks.
Do file an amended GC-710 the same day you learn of any change, because the verification must be current.

Don’ts

Don’t guess at dates or case numbers, because the DOJ checks every entry against state databases.
Don’t let anyone else sign for you, because the perjury declaration is personal.
Don’t use white-out, because the clerk treats white-out as alteration and rejects the form.
Don’t staple the GC-710 to your public-facing petition, because the clerk will refuse to seal it correctly.
Don’t file before you have completed Live Scan, because the DOJ cannot match your form to your prints.
Don’t assume the form is private if filed openly, because confidentiality requires correct intake handling.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

Pros of filing pro se

Lower cost, because attorney fees for a contested conservatorship can exceed $10,000.
Direct control of timing and disclosures, because you decide what attachments to include.
Faster start, because you do not wait for retainer paperwork.
Better understanding of the file, because you know every page personally.
Free help is available at every county Self-Help Center, because California funds them by statute.

Cons of filing pro se

Higher rejection risk, because pro se filers misread fields more often.
No privilege on conversations with court staff, because clerks cannot give legal advice.
Slower investigator clearance, because investigators ask more follow-ups of pro se filers.
Greater perjury exposure, because you alone bear the consequence of any mistake.
Limited remedies if the petition is denied, because appeals are technical.

FAQs

Is Form GC-710 a public record?

No. The form is filed under seal and accessible only to the judge, court investigator, and authorized background-check staff under Probate Code §1834 and Rule 7.1050.

Do I have to file GC-710 if I am a licensed professional fiduciary?

Yes. Every proposed guardian or conservator files GC-710, including licensed professionals, who also file separate Professional Fiduciaries Bureau disclosures.

Can I leave Box 1e blank because I do not want my SSN on a court form?

No. GC-710 is the one form that requires your SSN; it is sealed at intake, so the SSN is never part of the public record.

Do I write my maiden name or my current name in Box 1a?

Yes, write your current legal name in Box 1a; maiden and former names go in Box 1c so the DOJ can search every name.

Do I have to disclose a juvenile arrest in Box 2a?

No. Sealed juvenile records under Welfare and Institutions Code §781 may be answered No, but federally charged juvenile offenses still must be disclosed.

What if I had a DUI 15 years ago?

Yes, disclose it in Box 2a regardless of age; the DOJ keeps adult conviction records for life and the investigator will find it.

Do I need to file an amended GC-710 if I move?

Yes. Any change to a Box 1 field, including address and phone, requires an amended GC-710 filed before your next hearing.

Can my co-petitioner and I file one combined GC-710?

No. Each proposed guardian or conservator files a separate GC-710 because the verification is personal to each signer.

Does GC-710 expire if my hearing gets continued?

No, the form does not expire, but you must file an amended GC-710 if any answer changes before the new hearing date.

Is a notary required for the verification block?

No. California uses a penalty-of-perjury declaration under Code of Civil Procedure §2015.5, not notarization.

Do I disclose a restraining order that was dismissed in seven days?

Yes. Any restraining order, including a dismissed emergency protective order, must be listed in Box 3c.

What happens if I forget to disclose a small-claims judgment?

No appointment is guaranteed; the investigator may recommend denial for incomplete disclosure under Probate Code §2650(f), even for minor omissions.

Do I file GC-710 with the same fee as the petition?

No extra fee applies to GC-710 itself; the $435 base fee under Government Code §70657 covers the petition package as a whole.

Can I e-sign GC-710 if I am filing electronically?

Yes, under California Rules of Court rule 2.257, a typed /s/ signature is valid when submitted through a court-approved electronic filing service provider.

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