Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)
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File FL-105 with Ezel
Fill FL-105 with Ezel
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What is FL-105?
Mandatory attachment in any California family-law or probate case where custody, visitation, or guardianship of a minor child is at issue. The declarant lists each child's residences and caregivers for the past five years, plus any other ongoing custody, restraining-order, or non-party-claimant facts. The court uses the declaration to confirm California has jurisdiction under the UCCJEA (Family Code section 3400 et seq.).
What happens if you miss the deadline: Without FL-105 the court cannot establish UCCJEA jurisdiction. Cases get continued until the declaration is filed; some clerks reject the petition at intake.
How to file
- Filing fee
- No separate fee. FL-105 is filed with the underlying petition (FL-100, GC-210, etc.).
- Filing method
- in-person, mail, efile (county-specific)
- Filing deadline
- Filed with the first pleading involving custody. Family Code section 3429(a). The declarant has a continuing duty under section 3429(d) to inform the court of any proceeding in this or any other state that could affect the current proceeding, so an amended FL-105 is filed when needed.
- How to serve
- Served on the other party with the underlying petition (typically by personal service via FL-110 summons + the petition + FL-105). Documented on FL-115 (Family Law Proof of Service of Summons).
- Wet signature
- Yes, sign in pen after printing.
- Notarization
- No
- Original and copies
- 1 original to the clerk plus 2 copies (1 for filer, 1 to be served).
Common pitfalls
(1) Item 2 children list: at least one child name + DOB + birthplace, matching what is named in the underlying petition (FL-100 item 4b). (2) Item 3 residence history: must cover 5 years with no gaps. The most common rejection cause is gaps between rows (e.g., row 1 starts 06/2023, row 2 ends 03/2023, leaving 4/2023-5/2023 unaccounted). (3) Item 6 non-party claimants: Family Code section 3429(a)(3) requires the filer to disclose any person not a party who has physical custody or claims rights of legal custody, physical custody, or visitation. Listing on FL-105 is a disclosure obligation; it does not by itself join or serve those non-parties. If their participation in the case is needed, the filer must follow the family-law joinder procedures (FL-371 Request for Joinder, governed by Cal. Rules of Court rule 5.24). The wizard should remind the filer to consult court self-help on joinder of a non-party custody claimant.
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Caption.
- Filers list a nickname.
- Filers omit middle name on a name that includes one.
Attorneys only.
- Pro se filers fill with employer.
- Attorneys list lead partner only.
Attorneys only.
- Pro se filers fill with DL.
- Out-of-state attorneys use home-state bar.
Caption street; can be confidential under Family Code 3429 in DV cases.
- Filers list rental address.
- Filers list P.O. Box only.
Caption city.
- Filers list county.
- Filers abbreviate.
Caption state.
- Filers spell out California.
- Filers use lowercase.
Caption ZIP.
- Filers paste ZIP+4 with dash.
- Filers guess.
Caption phone.
- Filers list outdated phone.
- Filers list work number.
Optional.
- Filers paste rarely-checked email.
- Pro se filers worry about leaving blank.
Identifies whom the filer represents.
- Pro se filers leave blank.
- Filers write the wrong role.
Same county as underlying case.
- Filers list county they live in.
- Filers add 'County of'.
Court street.
- Filers list courthouse name.
- Filers use old address.
Optional, only if different.
- Filers fill when same as street.
- Filers paste their own P.O. Box.
Court city/ZIP.
- Filers list only the city.
- Filers use old courthouse ZIP.
Branch name.
- Filers leave blank in multi-branch counties.
- Filers type informal name.
Petitioner from underlying case.
- Filers shorten the petitioner's name.
- Filers use a nickname.
Respondent from underlying case.
- Filers shorten the respondent's name.
- Filers use a nickname.
Other party in parentage or DCSS cases.
- Filers leave blank when third party joined.
- Filers fill when no third party.
Required only in juvenile cases.
- Filer leaves blank in juvenile cases.
- Filer fills in non-juvenile cases.
Required only in probate guardianship cases.
- Filer leaves blank in guardianship cases.
- Filer fills in non-guardianship cases.
Blank when filed with original petition; clerk assigns. Required if filed later.
- Filers leave blank.
- Filers paste with extra spaces.
Page 2 short title; auto-fillable from caption.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer types full caption when 'short title' is expected.
Required: party OR authorized agency representative.
- Filer marks the wrong role.
- Filer leaves blank.
Required if the answer to “I am” is “Authorized representative of an agency that is a party”.
- Filer leaves blank when agency-affiliated.
- Filer fills as a parent.
Number of minor children subject to this proceeding.
- Filer counts only one child when multiple exist.
- Filer guesses.
First child's full name. At least one child must be listed.
- Filer uses nickname.
- Filer omits middle name on legal documents.
First child's date of birth.
- Filer lists year only.
- Filer guesses.
City and state where the child was born.
- Filer omits state.
- Filer lists country when child born in U.S.
Second child if any.
- Filer leaves blank when 2+ children.
- Filer combines names.
Second child DOB.
- Filer lists year only.
- Filer guesses.
Second child birthplace.
- Filer omits state.
- Filer lists country.
Third child if any.
- Filer leaves blank when 3+ children.
- Filer combines names.
Third child DOB.
- Filer lists year only.
- Filer guesses.
Third child birthplace.
- Filer omits state.
- Filer lists country.
Fourth child if any.
- Filer leaves blank when 4+ children.
- Filer combines names.
Fourth child DOB.
- Filer lists year only.
- Filer guesses.
Fourth child birthplace.
- Filer omits state.
- Filer lists country.
Check if 5+ children; use Attachment 2 / FL-105(A).
- Filer marks without attaching FL-105(A).
- Filer leaves blank when 5+ children.
Required: single child or all-together (3a) vs separated (3b uses FL-105(A)).
- Filer marks 'lived together' when children moved between parents.
- Filer leaves blank.
Current residence start date. Required if the answer to “Did all children live together for the past 5 years?” is “Yes, single child or all together”.
- Filer lists end date in 'from' field.
- Filer guesses date.
Current residence (City, State).
- Filer lists current address only when 5-year history requires more.
- Filer omits unit number.
Person child currently lives with (name + complete address).
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer lists role only without name.
Relationship to that person.
- Filer uses informal language.
- Filer leaves blank.
Optional confidential-residence flag.
- Filer marks unnecessarily.
- Filer leaves blank when DV concerns warrant confidentiality.
Optional confidential-person-address flag.
- Filer marks unnecessarily.
- Filer leaves blank when DV concerns warrant confidentiality.
Address 2 start.
- Filer's “Address 2: From” does not equal “Address 1: From” end.
- Filer guesses.
Address 2 end.
- Filer leaves blank when there's a defined end date.
- Filer fills with future date.
Address 2 residence.
- Filer lists current.
- Filer omits unit number.
Address 2 person.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer lists role only.
Address 2 relationship.
- Filer uses informal language.
- Filer leaves blank.
Address 3 start.
- Filer's “Address 3: From” does not align with “Address 2: To (Month/Year)”.
- Filer guesses.
Address 3 end.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer fills with future date.
Address 3 residence.
- Filer lists current.
- Filer omits unit number.
Address 3 person.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer lists role only.
Address 3 relationship.
- Filer uses informal language.
- Filer leaves blank.
Address 4 start.
- Filer's date does not align.
- Filer guesses.
Address 4 end.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer fills future date.
Address 4 residence.
- Filer lists current.
- Filer omits unit number.
Address 4 person.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer lists role only.
Address 4 relationship.
- Filer uses informal language.
- Filer leaves blank.
Address 5 start.
- Filer's date does not align.
- Filer guesses.
Address 5 end.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer fills future date.
Address 5 residence.
- Filer lists current.
- Filer omits unit number.
Address 5 person.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer lists role only.
Address 5 relationship.
- Filer uses informal language.
- Filer leaves blank.
Check if more than 5 addresses; use Attachment 3a.
- Filer marks without attaching.
- Filer leaves blank when 6+ addresses in 5 years.
Required Yes/No.
- Filer marks 'no' to avoid disclosure.
- Filer leaves blank.
Family case number. Required if the answer to “Are you aware of any other custody/visitation case involving any child here?” is “Yes” and a family case applies.
- Filer leaves blank when family case exists.
- Filer fills when no family case.
Family case court.
- Filer leaves blank when “Family case: case number” is filled in.
- Filer lists county only without court.
Family case order date.
- Filer leaves blank when “Family case: case number” is filled in.
- Filer guesses.
Family case child names.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer lists nicknames.
Family case your connection.
- Filer uses informal language.
- Filer leaves blank.
Family case status.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer marks both pending and closed.
Probate guardianship case number.
- Filer leaves blank when probate exists.
- Filer fills when no probate.
Probate guardianship court.
- Filer leaves blank when case4b filled.
- Filer lists county only.
Other case number.
- Filer leaves blank when other case exists.
- Filer fills when no other case.
Other case court.
- Filer leaves blank when case4c filled.
- Filer lists county only.
Juvenile case number.
- Filer leaves blank when juvenile case exists.
- Filer fills when no juvenile case.
Juvenile case court.
- Filer leaves blank when case4d filled.
- Filer lists county only.
Adoption case number.
- Filer leaves blank when adoption case exists.
- Filer fills when no adoption case.
Adoption case court.
- Filer leaves blank when case4e filled.
- Filer lists county only.
Boolean: any restraining/protective orders in effect.
- Filer marks 'no' to avoid disclosure.
- Filer leaves blank.
Criminal RO county.
- Filer leaves blank when DVRO exists.
- Filer lists state only.
Criminal RO state/tribe.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer spells out state.
Criminal RO case number.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
Criminal RO expiration.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer types 'permanent'.
Family RO county.
- Filer leaves blank when 2+ ROs exist.
- Filer lists state only.
Family RO state/tribe.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer spells out state.
Family RO case number.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
Family RO expiration.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer types 'permanent'.
Juvenile RO county.
- Filer leaves blank when 3+ ROs exist.
- Filer lists state only.
Juvenile RO state/tribe.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer spells out state.
Juvenile RO case number.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
Juvenile RO expiration.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer types 'permanent'.
Other RO county.
- Filer leaves blank when 4+ ROs exist.
- Filer lists state only.
Other RO state/tribe.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer spells out state.
Other RO case number.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
Other RO expiration.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer types 'permanent'.
Required Yes/No.
- Filer marks 'no' to avoid disclosure.
- Filer leaves blank.
Required if the answer to “Do you know of anyone NOT a party to this case who has custody or claims rights?” is “Yes”.
- Filer leaves blank when other person exists.
- Filer uses nickname.
Required if “Person 1: name and address” is filled.
- Filer uses informal language.
- Filer leaves blank.
Required if “Person 1: name and address” is filled.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer lists role only.
Optional second non-party.
- Filer leaves blank when 2+ others exist.
- Filer uses nickname.
Optional.
- Filer uses informal language.
- Filer leaves blank.
Optional.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer lists role only.
Optional third non-party.
- Filer leaves blank when 3+ others exist.
- Filer uses nickname.
Optional.
- Filer uses informal language.
- Filer leaves blank.
Optional.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer lists role only.
Number of attachment pages.
- Filer leaves blank when attachments exist.
- Filer undercounts.
Date of declaration under penalty of perjury.
- Filer post-dates.
- Filer signs before completing.
Printed name of declarant.
- Filer prints nickname.
- Filer leaves blank.
Sources
- Form FL-105/GC-120 (PDF, Rev. January 1, 2025)
- Cal. Family Code section 3429 (UCCJEA disclosure declaration: (a) filing in first pleading, 5-year residence history, non-party claimants, DV address confidentiality; (b) stay for missing info; (c) supplemental info and examination; (d) continuing duty)
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