If you were never married to the other parent of your child/children and you want one or more of the following:

• Establish the legal parent of your child;
• Child custody or visitation;
• Child support;
• An order for health insurance coverage;
• An order for payment of child care costs.

Ask the clerk for a Petition to Establish a Parental Relationship packet. The packet will cost $1.00. Before buying this packet, read the following:

Both parents may be in agreement about the identity of the child's father.
Both parents may have also signed a Paternity Acknowledgment at the hospital when the child was born or the father may be named on the child's birth certificate. However, until the Court establishes paternity, no orders will be granted for custody, visitation or support.

Either parent may file a Petition to Establish a Parental Relationship.

The minor child/children must currently live in San Diego County or must have been recently removed from this county.

If either parent is now receiving or has ever received public assistance (welfare) for the child, a paternity case may already have been filed. Please ask the clerk to check for a case number.

If you want immediate orders for spousal or child support, child custody or visitation, property control or other orders, you must also buy and file an Order to Show Cause packet from the clerk.

If you want immediate domestic violence restraining orders, you must also ask the clerk for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order packet.

There is a filing fee to file a Petition to Establish a Parental Relationship. A fee waiver may be granted if you receive S.S.I., public assistance or fall below the Court's income guidelines. If you think you might qualify, obtain a Fee Waiver Application and Order packet from the clerk.