Form FL-220 at a glance
What it is: FL-220 is the Response to Petition to Determine Parental Relationship (Uniform Parentage).
Who signs: Respondent signs (SIGNATURE OF RESPONDENT).
The respondent asks that the court make the determinations listed.
A filled-in Form FL-220 example: a respondent answers a petition
How to fill out Form FL-220, box by box
County, Petitioner, Respondent and Case Number
Write the county after SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF.
Enter the PETITIONER and the RESPONDENT.
Enter the CASE NUMBER.
Name, Address, Telephone and E-mail
Under PARTY WITHOUT ATTORNEY OR ATTORNEY, enter the NAME, STREET ADDRESS, CITY, STATE and ZIP CODE.
Enter the TELEPHONE NO. and E-MAIL ADDRESS.
Item 1: the petitioner
Under 1. The petitioner a. is a parent of the children in item 2. b. is not a parent of the children in item 2. c. is the child or the child's personal representative (specify court and date of appointment): d. Other (specify):
2. The children
Under 2. The children are, enter each Child's name, Birthdate and Age.
b. a child who is not yet born.
Item 3: the respondent and California
Under 3. The respondent a. lives in the state of California. b. was in California when the children listed in item 2 were conceived. c. does not live in the state of California. d. was not in California when the children listed in item 2 were conceived. e. Other (specify):
4. The children
Under 4. The children a. live or are found in this county. b. are children of a parent who is deceased, and proceedings for administration of the estate have been or could be started in this county.
5. The respondent is
Under 5. The respondent is a. the parent of the children listed in item 2 above. b. not certain if the respondent is the parent of the children listed in item 2 above. c. not the parent of the children listed in item 2 above. d. Other (specify):
6. Additional statements
Under 6. Additional statements: a. Parentage has been determined by a voluntary declaration of parentage or paternity. (Attach a copy if available.)
Under b. Parentage has been established in another case, governmental child support or Other (specify):
c. Public assistance is being provided to the children.
7. A completed UCCJEA Declaration
7. A completed Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) (form FL-105) is attached.
Item 8: parent-child relationship
Under 8. PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP (check all that apply): a. Respondent Petitioner is the parent of the children listed in item 2. b. Respondent Petitioner is not the parent of the children listed in item 2. c. Respondent requests genetic testing to determine whether the Petitioner Respondent is the parent of the children listed in item 2.
9. Child custody and visitation (parenting time)
Under 9. CHILD CUSTODY AND VISITATION (PARENTING TIME), mark Petitioner, Respondent, Joint or Other for a. Legal custody of children, b. Physical custody of children and c. Child visitation (parenting time).
As requested in form FL-311, FL-312, FL-341(C), FL-341(D), FL-341(E) or Attachment 9c.
d. The facts in support of the requested custody and visitation (parenting time) orders are (specify): Contained in the attached declaration.
10. Reasonable expenses of pregnancy and birth and 11. Fees and costs of litigation
Under 10. REASONABLE EXPENSES OF PREGNANCY AND BIRTH: Reasonable expenses of pregnancy and birth to be paid by Petitioner Respondent Joint as follows:
Under 11. FEES AND COSTS OF LITIGATION: Petitioner Respondent Joint for a. Attorney fees to be paid by and b. Expert fees, guardian ad litem fees, and other costs of the action or pretrial proceedings to be paid by
12. Name change and 13. Other orders requested
Under 12. NAME CHANGE: Children's names be changed, according to Family Code section 7638, as follows (specify old and new names):
Under 13. OTHER ORDERS REQUESTED (specify):
14. Child support and the declaration
14. CHILD SUPPORT The court may make orders for support of the children and issue an earnings assignment without further notice to either party.
I have read the restraining order on the back of the Summons (form FL-210) and I understand it applies to me.
"I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct." Date:
Respondent signs (SIGNATURE OF RESPONDENT).
More rules for Form FL-220
NOTICE: If you have a child from this relationship, the court is required to order child support based upon the income of both parents. Support normally continues until the child is 18. You should supply the court with information about your finances. Otherwise, the child support order will be based upon information supplied by the other parent.
Any party required to pay child support must pay interest on overdue amounts at the "legal" rate, which is currently 10 percent.
Common questions about Form FL-220
Is there a deadline?
You have 30 calendar days after this Summons and Petition are served on you to file a Response (form FL-220 or FL-270) at the court and have a copy served on the petitioner.[2]
Where do I file it?
file a Response (form FL-220 or FL-270) at the court and have a copy served on the petitioner.[2]
Sources
[1] Form FL-220 (Rev. September 1, 2021), Response to Petition to Determine Parental Relationship, Judicial Council of California (the Official source link on this page).
[2] courts.ca.gov, submission_method. Accessed November 2, 2026.