Petition for the Establishment of Parental Relationship (Three or More Children)

Filing Fee

$435.00

Fee waivers can be requested when a fee is due

Steps

1. Prepare Your Initial Pleadings

A new case requires, at a minimum, a Petition that describes the orders you're requesting, a Summons that provides notice that a case has been started, and a Family Law Certificate of Assignment.

2. File Your Initial Pleadings

File your initial pleadings, along with two full sets of copies, with the Family Law Business Office. The copies will be file-stamped and returned. Be prepared to pay a filing fee or submit a fee waiver.

 

3. Have Your Initial Pleadings Served

One of the returned sets of file-stamped copies should be personally served (delivered) to the Respondent by a third-party. Have your server complete a Proof of Service of Summons. 

4. Finalize Your Case With a Judgment

In dissolution (divorce), legal separation, nullity and parentage (paternity) cases, a judgment finalizes the case. A judgment can be obtained by default, settlement agreement or trial.

Fee Waiver Forms

Form Form Code Sample
Request to Waive Court Fees FW-001 Example
Order on Court Fee Waiver (Superior Court) FW-003 Example
More information about fee waivers.

Recommended Forms

Form Form Code Sample
Petition to Determine Parental Relationship FL-200 Sample
Summons - Parentage - Custody and Support FL-210 Sample
Declaration under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) FL-105 Sample
Attachment to Declaration under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) FLF-105(A) Sample
Family Law Certificate of Assignment D-049 Sample

  • Parentage (paternity) cases provide the court jurisdiction to establish a parental relationship and to make custody, visitation and child support orders.

  • The Petition informs the court and other party what orders you're requesting. The Summons provides notice to the other party that a case has been initiated and describes the automatic restraining orders that apply to both parties (see page 2)

  • The Summons provides notice to the other party that a case has been initiated and describes the automatic restraining orders that apply to both parties.

  • Use the Declaration under UCCJEA to provide information needed to determine if the court has power, or jurisdiction to make orders regarding your children.

Optional Forms

Form Form Code Sample
Child Custody and Visitation (Parenting Time) Application Attachment FL-311 Sample
Request for Child Abduction Prevention Orders FL-312 Sample
Children's Holiday Schedule Attachment FL-341(C) Sample
Additional Provisions - Physical Custody Attachment FL-341(D) Sample
Joint Legal Custody Attachment FL-341(E) Sample

  • Use the custody and visitation attachments to provide more detail about the orders you're requesting. 

Additional Resources

Related Form Collections

Related FAQs

Any interested party can file a parentage action but generally it is the father or mother who files a case. The court does not give any preference to the person filing the case (petitioner) nor is there any disadvantage to the person responding (respondent). If a child was born during the marriage or the parents have signed a Voluntary Declaration of Paternity or Parentage, a parent would file a custody and support case instead of a parentage action.