What you can file to ask for a child support order
There are different types of cases and papers you can file to ask for a child support order or to change an order. Which type of case or papers you can file depends on your situation.
If you have a family law case
You can file a Request for Order in that case
- If there's already a family law case in California involving the child, then you can file a Request for Order (form FL-300) to ask for a child support order.
- Common family law cases are divorces or parentage (paternity) cases.
- You may also have a case with the Local Child Support Agency (LCSA).
If there is a case in a different state involving your child, you may need to file papers in that State to ask for child support orders. Talk to your court's self-help center ↗️ staff to find out your options or talk to a lawyer for advice ↗️.
If you and the other parent agree, you can also turn in a signed agreement for the judge to review and sign. If the LCSA is part of your case, they'll need to sign as well.
Get step-by-step instructions:
If you do not have a family law case
Go through the Local Child Support Agency or start a family law case yourself
You or the other parent must ask for a court order, either through the LCSA or by starting a court case yourself. Which one you choose depends on your situation.
If you go through the LCSA:
- They will start a court case for you.
- They can also set up genetic testing and get an order that says who a child's legal parent is (called parentage), if needed.
- The case will only include parentage and child support (and, in some cases, enforcing a spousal support order), but not other issues like custody or visitation.
- It is free.
If you start a case yourself:
- You will have to fill out and file the forms yourself, and notify the other parent
- You can ask for other things beside child support, like custody and visitation, a divorce, property orders.
- You will likely have to pay a filing fee of $435-450, unless you qualify for a fee waiver.
- If you're filing a request for a domestic violence restraining order, there will be no fee.
| If you and the other person . . . | You can file a . . . |
|---|---|
| Are married or in a domestic partnership and want to divorce or legally separate | Petition for divorce or legal separation |
| Are married or in a domestic partnership and do not want to divorce or legally separate | |
| Are not married or in a domestic partnership and you are not both the child's legal parent | Petition to Determine Parentage |
| Are not married or in a domestic partnership, but are both the child's legal parent (for example, you both signed a Voluntary Declaration of Parentage or legally adopted the child) |
Petition for Custody and Support -or- |
| Have a child together and you need protection from the other parent | Request for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order |