Child Support in Sierra County, California

Sierra County does not have its own child support agency. Parents are served by the Nevada County Local Child Support Agency instead. The office is at 950 Maidu Avenue, Suite 140 in Nevada City, about 30 miles from Downieville. That office opens cases. It also sets orders and collects payments for Sierra County families.

The courthouse is still local: Superior Court of California, County of Sierra, 100 Courthouse Square, Second Floor, Downieville, CA 95936, phone (530) 289-3698. No e-filing portal was found on the court's site. Plan to file in person or by mail unless the clerk confirms another option.

Support amounts follow Family Code 4055 statewide. The calculation uses each parent's net income and the timeshare split for the child. The formula is the same in Downieville and in Los Angeles. Estimate your number at childsupport.ca.gov. Then file Form FL-300 with an FL-150 income declaration at the Downieville courthouse, or contact the Nevada County agency instead.

If you cannot afford the filing fee, ask for a fee waiver using Form FW-001 at the courthouse. After an order is made, California generally uses an automatic income withholding order for the paying parent's wages. That works the same way whether the case starts in Downieville or through the Nevada County office.

How child support is calculated in California

California sets child support with a statewide uniform guideline (Family Code section 4055) that applies the same way in Sierra County as everywhere else. The formula is based mainly on two things:

1. Both parents' net disposable incomes.
2. The percentage of time the child spends with each parent (the timeshare).

The guideline amount is presumed to be correct, and courts use a calculator to run the numbers. Because the result depends on accurate income, the Income and Expense Declaration (Form FL-150) you file is what drives your number.

Where child support cases are handled in Sierra County

Child support in Sierra County is handled through the Superior Court of California, County of Sierra, and the county's Local Child Support Agency, which is part of the California Department of Child Support Services. There are two common paths:

1. Either parent files a Request for Order (Form FL-300) with an Income and Expense Declaration (Form FL-150) inside a divorce, parentage, or custody case.
2. The Local Child Support Agency opens a case to establish, collect, and enforce support, often at no cost to the parents.

Because courthouse and local agency office details change over time, confirm current details using the official California Courts court finder:

Find the Sierra County Superior Court (official California Courts finder)

Local notes for Sierra County

Downieville is one of the smallest county seats in California. Sierra County's court reflects that size. There is one building at one address, and there are no branch locations to choose from. The tradeoff is that support services go through another county's agency. That can mean an extra phone call or drive if you want to handle the case through Nevada City instead of Downieville.

Because e-filing is not confirmed here, do not assume you can submit papers electronically without checking with the clerk first. That is especially true if you have a deadline. A call to (530) 289-3698 before you travel to Downieville can prevent a wasted trip.

The self-help center and family law facilitator can help a parent understand the FL-150 and FL-300 forms. They cannot advise you about the facts of your case. Hours are not posted, so confirm before visiting. A parent living near Loyalton is closer to the Nevada County side of the shared agency than to Downieville itself. Calling Nevada City first is often the more practical step before driving to the county seat.

Official child support resources in Sierra County

Superior Court of California, County of Sierra handles child-support filings, located at 100 Courthouse Square, Second Floor, Downieville 95936. Phone: (530) 289-3698.

No e-filing portal was found on the court's site; confirm current filing options with the clerk before you travel to Downieville.

Sierra County Self-Help Center / Family Law Facilitator (https://www.sierra.courts.ca.gov/self-help/family-law-facilitator) can help with procedure and paperwork. Helps self-represented parents with forms and procedure; cannot give legal advice for your situation.

• Superior Court of California, County of Sierra
• Sierra County Self-Help / Family Law Facilitator
• Sierra County's Local Child Support Agency is the Nevada County office
• California Guideline Child Support Calculator
• Form FL-300 Request for Order
• Form FW-001 Request to Waive Court Fees

Local details reviewed August 2026. Offices and locations can change, so confirm with the official sites above before you file.

Sierra County Child Support FAQs