Child Custody and Visitation in Kern County, California
A plain-language guide to child custody in Kern County, from the forms you file at the Superior Court of California, County of Kern to mediation, the best-interest standard, and how to prepare your paperwork without hiring an attorney.
Kern County covers a large stretch of California, from Bakersfield at the southern end of the Central Valley out to Ridgecrest on the edge of the Mojave Desert, along with the communities of Delano, Wasco, and Shafter. Custody matters throughout the county are heard by the Superior Court of California, County of Kern.
Custody in California always involves two separate pieces, and Kern County is no different. Legal custody is the right to make major decisions for a child, and physical custody is about where the child lives. Judges can order either as joint or sole custody, basing the decision entirely on the best interest of the child and applying no preference for either parent based on gender.
A custody case can be part of a divorce or legal separation, or, for parents who were never married, it starts by establishing parentage. Kern County uses the same statewide Judicial Council forms required everywhere in California, so what's specific to the county is procedural: which courthouse is assigned to your case and how Family Court Services schedules mediation given the distances involved across such a large county.
Parents who agree on custody and visitation terms can skip a contested hearing by submitting a written parenting plan for a judge to sign. That option is usually faster, and Kern County's self-help resources are available to assist self-represented parents in putting together the required paperwork.
Where custody cases are heard in Kern County
Custody and visitation matters in Kern County are handled by the Superior Court of California, County of Kern, with the county seat in Bakersfield. Because courthouse locations, hours, and the local Family Court Services or Child Custody Recommending Counseling program change over time and can differ between branches, use the official California Courts court finder to confirm the current details for your case:
Find the Kern County Superior Court (official California Courts finder)
How custody is decided in California
California uses the same statewide rules in every county, including Kern County. Custody has two parts: legal custody (who makes major decisions about health, education, and welfare) and physical custody (where the child lives). Either can be joint (shared) or sole (one parent). Judges decide custody based on the best interest of the child, and California law does not favor a parent based on gender.
You can ask for custody orders inside a divorce or legal separation case, or, if the parents were never married, by first establishing parentage. The core steps are:
- Open or use an existing case: a divorce (Form FL-100), a legal separation, or a parentage case (Form FL-200) for unmarried parents.
- File a Request for Order (Form FL-300) with the custody and visitation attachment (Form FL-311) to ask the court for orders.
- Serve the other parent and file a proof of service.
- Attend the mandatory child custody mediation (Family Court Services), which California requires before a contested custody hearing.
- Attend the hearing if you have not agreed, and receive the court's order (Form FL-341 series, Findings and Order After Hearing on Form FL-340).
There is no six-month waiting period for custody the way there is for a divorce to become final. Parents can also agree on a parenting plan and submit it as a stipulation for the judge to sign, which avoids a contested hearing entirely. If you and the other parent agree, that is almost always the faster and less costly path in Kern County.
Local notes for Kern County
Given Kern County's size, from Bakersfield down to desert communities like Ridgecrest, family law cases may be handled at more than one courthouse location depending on where you live. Confirm the correct court using the official California Courts court finder before filing.
Kern County follows the statewide requirement that parents in a contested custody or visitation dispute attend child custody mediation through Family Court Services before a judge decides the case. The county's self-help center can guide self-represented parents through the necessary forms and steps, though staff cannot give legal advice specific to your circumstances.
If domestic violence is part of your case, a domestic violence restraining order (Forms DV-100 and DV-110) can include temporary custody terms. In an emergency, call 911, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-7233, is available around the clock.
Step-by-step guides for your Kern County custody case
Kern County Child Custody FAQs
Where do I file a custody case in Kern County?
Custody cases in Kern County are heard by the Superior Court of California, County of Kern. Because the county spans a wide area, from Bakersfield to Ridgecrest, confirm which courthouse handles your case with the official California Courts court finder before filing.
What standard does Kern County use to decide custody?
Kern County judges apply the same best interest of the child standard used throughout California. Legal custody and physical custody are decided separately, and either can be ordered as joint or sole custody depending on the family's circumstances.
Is mediation required before a contested custody hearing in Kern County?
Yes. Parents with a contested custody or visitation dispute in Kern County must attend child custody mediation through Family Court Services before the court will hold a hearing, the same as everywhere in California.
Can I complete my own custody paperwork in Kern County without a lawyer?
Yes, and Kern County's self-help center offers procedural assistance to self-represented parents. Virdix is a document preparation service, not a law firm, and can help you fill out the required Judicial Council forms accurately, though it does not provide legal advice or represent you in court.
This page is general information about California child custody procedure in Kern County, not legal advice for your situation. Court locations, programs, and filing details change; always confirm current details with the Superior Court of California, County of Kern or the official California Courts self-help resources. If your case involves domestic violence, abduction risk, or a child's safety, contact the court's self-help center or a licensed California family law attorney, and in an emergency call 911. Virdix is not a law firm and is not a substitute for an attorney.