Rule 5.325.Procedures for clerk’s handling of combined summons and complaint

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 5.325 tells the clerk how to file and issue the combined governmental summons and complaint, and how proposed judgments are attached rather than endorsed.

Full Text of Rule 5.325

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

(a) Purpose

This rule provides guidance to court clerks in processing and filing the Summons and Complaint or Supplemental Complaint Regarding Parental Obligations (Governmental) (form FL-600) for actions under Family Code section 17400 or 17404.

(b) Filing of complaint and issuance of summons

The clerk must accept the Summons and Complaint or Supplemental Complaint Regarding Parental Obligations (Governmental) (form FL-600) for filing under Code of Civil Procedure section 411.10. The clerk must issue the original summons in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure section 412.20 by filing the original form FL-600 and affixing the seal of the court. The original form FL-600 must be retained in the court’s file.

Upon issuance of the original summons, the clerk must conform copies of the filed form FL-600 to reflect that the complaint has been filed and the summons has been issued. A copy of form FL-600 so conformed must be served on the defendant in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure section 415.10 et seq.

(d) Proof of service of summons

Proof of service of the Summons and Complaint or Supplemental Complaint Regarding Parental Obligations (Governmental) (form FL-600) must be on the form prescribed by rule 2.150 or any other proof of service form that meets the requirements of Code of Civil Procedure section 417.10.

(e) Filing of proposed judgment and amended proposed judgment

The proposed judgment must be an attachment to the Summons and Complaint or Supplemental Complaint Regarding Parental Obligations (Governmental) (form FL-600) and must not be file-endorsed separately. An amended proposed judgment submitted for filing must be attached to the Declaration for Amended Proposed Judgment (form FL-616), as required by Family Code section 17430(c), and a proof of service by mail, if appropriate. Upon filing, the Declaration for Amended Proposed Judgment may be file-endorsed. The amended proposed judgment must not be file-endorsed.

End

Plain-English Summary

Government support cases start on a single combined form that is both summons and complaint, and this rule walks the clerk through it. The clerk accepts the form for filing, issues the original summons by filing the form and affixing the court’s seal, and retains the original in the court’s file. Copies are then conformed to show that the complaint has been filed and the summons issued, and a conformed copy is served on the defendant.

The filing mechanics for judgments are precise because an endorsement implies something. The proposed judgment must be an attachment to the combined form and must not be file-endorsed separately. An amended proposed judgment is attached to its own declaration, with a proof of service by mail where appropriate; that declaration may be endorsed, but the amended proposed judgment must not be.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who keeps the original combined summons and complaint?

The court. The clerk issues the original summons by filing form FL-600 and affixing the seal, and the original must be retained in the court’s file; a conformed copy is served on the defendant.

Is the proposed judgment file-stamped?

No. It must be an attachment to form FL-600 and must not be file-endorsed separately. An amended proposed judgment is attached to form FL-616, which may be endorsed — the amended proposed judgment itself must not be.

Amendment History

Rule 5.325 amended effective January 1, 2007; adopted as rule 1280.5 effective July 1, 1998; previously amended and renumbered effective January 1, 2003.

(Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective January 1, 2003.) (Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2003.) (Subd (c) amended effective January 1, 2003.) (Subd (d) amended effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective January 1, 2003.) (Subd (e) amended effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective January 1, 2003.)

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-600 summons and complaint governmentalchild support agency complaint filingproposed judgment attachment title IV-D