Rule 5.311.Implementation of new and revised governmental forms by local child support agencies

Division 1. Family Rules · Chapter 10. Government Child Support Cases (Title IV-D Support Cases) · Last amended 2007 · Last verified September 10, 2026

In one sentenceRule 5.311 gives a local child support agency six months to adopt a new or revised Judicial Council form, and says which version a final judgment may use.

Full Text of Rule 5.311

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b)

(a) General extended implementation

A local child support agency providing services as required by Family Code section 17400 must implement any new or revised form approved or adopted by the Judicial Council for support actions under title IV-D of the Social Security Act, and under California statutory provisions concerning these actions, within six months of the effective date of the form. During that six-month period, the local child support agency may properly use and file the immediately prior version of the form.

(b) Judgment regarding parental obligations

When the local child support agency files a proposed judgment or proposed supplemental judgment in any action using Judgment Regarding Parental Obligations (Governmental) (form FL-630), a final judgment or supplemental judgment may be filed on:

(1) The same version of the form that was used with the initial action or that was filed as an amended proposed judgment; or

(2) The most current version of the form, unless there have been amendments to the form that result in substantial changes from the filed version. If the most current version of the form has been substantially changed from the filed version, then the filed version must be used for the final judgment. A substantial change is one that would change the relief granted in a final judgment from that noticed in a proposed or amended proposed judgment.

End

Plain-English Summary

Agencies process support cases in volume, so a form change cannot take effect overnight. The rule gives them six months from a form’s effective date to implement it, and permits the immediately prior version to be used and filed during that window.

Judgments get a related accommodation with a limit built in. Where the agency filed a proposed or amended proposed judgment on the governmental judgment form, the final judgment may be filed on the same version that was used originally, or on the most current version — unless the current version has been substantially changed from the filed one, in which case the filed version must be used.

"Substantial" is defined rather than left to argument: a change that would alter the relief granted in a final judgment from what was noticed in the proposed or amended proposed judgment. The point is that a respondent who was served with one set of proposed terms cannot end up with a judgment granting different relief because the form was revised in the meantime.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a child support agency have to start using a new form?

Six months from the form’s effective date. During that period the agency may properly use and file the immediately prior version.

Which version of the judgment form applies if the form changed mid-case?

Either the version filed with the action or the most current version — unless the current version has been substantially changed from the filed one, meaning a change that would alter the relief granted from what was noticed. Then the filed version must be used.

Amendment History

Rule 5.311 amended effective January 1, 2007; adopted effective January 1, 2004.

(Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2007.) (Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2007.)

Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from the Judicial Council of California. Adopted by the Judicial Council of California. Last verified September 10, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: FL-630 judgment parental obligationsnew form implementation child support agencysix month form implementation California