Form ICWA-020 at a glance
What it is: ICWA-020 is the Parental Notification of Indian Status form.
Who signs: The one who fills out the form enters the Date, types or prints the name and signs.
A filled-in Form ICWA-020 example: a mother notifies the court of her tribe
How to fill out Form ICWA-020, box by box
Court, child's name and case number
Enter the County in SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF, the Child's Name and the Case Number.
1 Name and 2 Relationship to child
In 1, enter your Name.
In 2, mark your Relationship to child: Parent, Indian custodian, Guardian or Other, and write the relationship after Other.
3 Indian status, a to e
For you, in 3a, mark the box if you are or may be a member or citizen of, or eligible for membership or citizenship in, a federally recognized Indian tribe, then name each tribe and enter the Location of tribe(s).
For the child, in b, mark the box if the child is or may be a member or citizen of, or eligible for membership or citizenship in, a federally recognized Indian tribe, state why you think so, then name each tribe and enter the Location of tribe(s).
In c, mark the box if one or more of the child's parents, grandparents, or other lineal ancestors is or was a member or citizen of a federally recognized tribe, then name each tribe, enter the Location of tribe(s) and the Name and relationship of ancestor(s).
In d, mark the box if you are a resident of or are domiciled, live, or have lived on a reservation, rancheria, Alaska Native village, or other tribal trust land.
In e, mark the box if the child is a resident of or is domiciled, lives, or has lived on a reservation, rancheria, Alaska Native village, or other tribal trust land.
3 f to h, tribal court and identification card
In 3f, mark the box if the child is or has been a ward of a tribal court of the tribe, and enter the tribe.
In g, mark the box if either parent or the child possesses an Indian identification card indicating membership or citizenship in an Indian tribe, then name each tribe and enter the Membership or citizenship number (if any).
In h, mark the box if none of a to g apply.
4 Previous form ICWA-020
In 4, mark has or has not for a previous form ICWA-020 filed with the court.
Date, name and signature
You declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that it is true and correct.
The one who fills out the form enters the Date, types or prints the name and signs.
More rules for Form ICWA-020
The parent, Indian custodian, or guardian of the child must provide all the requested information about the child's Indian status by completing this form. If you get new information that would change your answers, you must let your attorney, all the other attorneys on the case, and the social worker or probation officer, or the court investigator know immediately and an updated form must be filed with the court.
This form is not intended to constitute a complete inquiry into Indian heritage. Additional inquiry may be required by the Indian Child Welfare Act and state law.
Sources
[1] Form ICWA-020 (Rev. January 1, 2026), Parental Notification of Indian Status, Judicial Council of California (the Official source link on this page).
