California Paternity and Parentage Resources: Know Where You Stand
FamilyCourtHelp is an independent educational platform. It is not a court, law firm, government agency, or government partner. We organize and link to publicly available resources published by courts and government agencies. Official requirements may change. Always confirm current requirements with the applicable court or clerk.
When parents were never married, parentage usually has to be established before a court will set a schedule or an amount of support. In California that case is handled by the Superior Court, usually in the Family Law Division.
Establishing parentage is what gives a father the standing to ask for time with his child, and it is what lets either parent ask the court for support. In many states the same case can settle parentage, the parenting schedule, and child support together.
Official California paternity resources
Official links below open in a new tab. You are leaving FamilyCourtHelp and opening an external government or court website.
California family law forms (official index) (California judicial branch): The official statewide collection of California family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm?filter=FL
California court self-help resources (California courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own California family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp.htm
California child support guideline resources (courts.ca.gov): Official California child support guideline materials, worksheets, or calculators. https://courts.ca.gov/programs-initiatives/families-and-children/family-law/ab-1058-child-support-program/guideline-support-calculators
Verified official California parentage documents
These official documents are used to establish or contest parentage in California.
Declaration for Default or Uncontested Judgment (Parentage) (FL-230), form FL-230 (Paternity), official document: https://courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/courts/default/2024-11/fl230.pdf
Judgment (Parentage — Uniform Parentage Act) (FL-235), form FL-235 (Paternity), official document: https://courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/courts/default/2024-11/fl235.pdf
Judgment (Uniform Parentage — Custody and Support) (FL-240), form FL-240 (Paternity), official document: https://courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/courts/default/2024-11/fl240.pdf
Petition to Determine Parental Relationship (FL-200), form FL-200 (Parentage), official document: https://courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/courts/default/2024-11/fl200.pdf
Response to Petition to Determine Parental Relationship (FL-220), form FL-220 (Parentage), official document: https://courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/courts/default/2024-11/fl220.pdf
Summons (Uniform Parentage) (FL-210), form FL-210 (Parentage), official document: https://courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/courts/default/2024-11/fl210.pdf
Official link data for California was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.
Frequently asked questions
Does signing the birth certificate settle everything?
A voluntary acknowledgment can establish parentage, but on its own it does not create a parenting schedule or a support order. Those come from a court case.
Can parentage, custody, and support be handled together?
In many states one case can cover all three. Check the official California forms and self-help material above to see how this state organizes it.
Free co-parent text messaging with evidence organization and behavior pattern tools
Preparing for a family court conversation often starts with finding the right information. Free co-parent text messaging, evidence organization and behavior pattern tools help you connect selected messages, supporting records and dated observations so you can review the details and prepare questions for your attorney.
Free co-parent text messaging
Keep everyday discussions about your child's schedule, school and appointments in a time-stamped message history. A clear question and the replies that follow can be easier to review than scattered screenshots. Include the surrounding conversation when selecting messages for your records. Free direct text messaging gives you a starting point; optional calls and other tools have separate plan details.
Evidence Builder for case preparation
Organize selected messages, notes and supporting files with dates, clear titles and source descriptions. Keep original files available and distinguish what a record says from your explanation of it. Evidence Builder helps you assemble exhibits and find the material you want to discuss. It does not submit evidence to a court or determine whether any item will be accepted.
Review behavior patterns in context
Use behavior pattern tools to review communication over time and connect dated observations to their supporting records. Response timing, unanswered questions and member-added notes can provide starting points for your review. Check automated findings against the full conversation, including later replies or explanations. The tools do not establish intent, diagnose a parent or replace an attorney's assessment of your circumstances.
Direct text messaging is free. Optional tools, calls, reports and downloads may require a paid plan. Review the current pricing for what is included. See plans and pricing