Step-by-step: how to fill out California Form FL-200 (Petition to Determine Parental Relationship) in 2026. Every section explained.
Download the official Form FL-200 (PDF, California Courts)
Form FL-200, Petition to Determine Parental Relationship
Form FL-200, Petition to Determine Parental Relationship, is a two page Judicial Council of California form, approved for optional use, under Family Code section 7630. It's the petition that starts a Uniform Parentage case.
Item 1 is the petitioner's basis for filing
Item 1 is the petitioner's basis for filing. The choices are: the petitioner gave birth to the children listed in item 2; the petitioner wants to be determined a parent of those children, with space to specify why; the petitioner wants to be determined not a parent of those children, also with space to specify why; the petitioner is the child or the child's personal representative; or another basis entirely, described in its own space.
Item 2 lists the children by name
Item 2 lists the children by name, birthdate, and age, with a separate checkbox if the case involves a child who isn't yet born.
Item 3 covers the court's jurisdiction
Item 3 covers the court's jurisdiction over the respondent: either the respondent lives in California, or the respondent had sexual intercourse in California that resulted in the conception of the children in item 2, or another basis for jurisdiction, specified separately.
Item 4 is venue — why the case belongs in this county
Item 4 is venue — why the case belongs in this particular county. The form requires checking at least one: the children live in or are found in the county, or a parent has died and estate proceedings have been or could be opened there.
Item 5 is the petitioner's claims checklist
Item 5 is the petitioner's claims checklist. It covers whether the respondent is the children's parent; whether parentage was already established by a voluntary declaration of parentage or paternity, with a copy to attach if one exists; whether the respondent is the parent and has failed to support the children; whether a named person has covered pregnancy and birth expenses the respondent should reimburse, with space for the amount and who it's payable to; whether public assistance is being provided to the children; or another claim, specified separately.
Item 6 confirms whether a completed UCCJEA is attached
Item 6 confirms whether a completed Declaration Under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act — form FL-105 — is attached to the petition.
Page two is where the petitioner spells out the requests
Page two is where the petitioner spells out what they're actually asking the court to decide.
Item 7 is the parent-child relationship determination
Item 7 is the parent-child relationship determination itself: whether the petitioner or the respondent is the parent of the children in item 2, whether the petitioner or respondent is not the parent, or whether the petitioner is requesting genetic testing to resolve the question.
Item 8 covers child custody and visitation
Item 8 covers child custody and visitation, sometimes called parenting time — who the petitioner is asking to receive legal custody, physical custody, and visitation, with checkboxes for petitioner, respondent, joint, or another arrangement, plus references to attachment forms like FL-311 or FL-341 series where the visitation schedule itself gets spelled out in detail.
Items 9 and 10 assign who pays
Items 9 and 10 assign who pays what: item 9 is reasonable pregnancy and birth expenses, item 10 is attorney fees and other litigation costs, each with petitioner, respondent, or joint checkboxes.
Item 11 is a possible name change
Item 11 is a possible name change for the children, under Family Code section 7638, with space to specify the old and new names. Item 12 is a general request for the court to order child support and an earnings assignment. Item 13 is an open field for any other orders requested that don't fit the items above.
Item 14 has the petitioner confirm they've read the restraining order
Item 14 has the petitioner confirm they've read the restraining order printed on the back of the summons, form FL-210, and understand it applies to them once this petition is filed — the same automatic restraining order language that appears on other California family law petitions.
The form also notes that a blank Response, form FL-220, must be served
The form also notes that a blank Response to Petition to Determine Parental Relationship, form FL-220, has to be served on the respondent along with this petition.
And the form prints its own NOTICE
And the form prints its own NOTICE at the bottom: if there's a child from the relationship, the court is required to order child support based on both parents' income, support normally continues until the child turns 18, and any required support payments that go unpaid carry interest at the legal rate, currently 10 percent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Virdix help me with this?
Virdix is a document preparation service, not a law firm, and this video is not legal advice. Virdix's wizard at virdix.co walks through preparing California family law paperwork, including parentage cases built around this form. For advice about your specific situation, talk to a licensed attorney.
How Virdix Helps
Virdix is a document preparation service, not a law firm, and this video is not legal advice. Virdix's wizard at virdix.co walks through preparing California family law paperwork, including parentage cases built around this form. For advice about your specific situation, talk to a licensed attorney.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Virdix is a document preparation service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Forms, fees, and procedures can change; always confirm current information with the California Courts or your county clerk. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed California attorney.
Sources: California Courts (courts.ca.gov), official form instructions