Rule 5.330.Procedures for child support case registry form

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 5.330 requires a Child Support Case Registry Form with every support order or modification, and keeps it out of the public court file.

Full Text of Rule 5.330

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

(a) Purpose

This rule provides guidance to court clerks in processing the Child Support Case Registry Form (form FL-191).

(b) Application

This rule applies to any action or proceeding in which there is an order for child support or family support except for cases in which the local child support agency provides support enforcement services under Family Code section 17400. This rule does not apply to cases in which the local child support agency provides support enforcement services under Family Code section 17400.

The court must require that a Child Support Case Registry Form (form FL-191), completed by one of the parties, be filed each time an initial court order for child support or family support or a modification of a court order for child support or family support is filed with the court. A party attempting to file an initial judgment or order for child support or family support or a modification of an order for child or family support without a completed Child Support Case Registry Form (form FL-191) must be given a blank form to complete. The form must be accepted if legibly handwritten in ink or typed. No filing fees may be charged for filing the form.

(d) Distribution of the form

Copies of the Child Support Case Registry Form (form FL-191) must be made available by the clerk’s office and the family law facilitator’s office to the parties without cost. A blank copy of the Child Support Case Registry Form (form FL-191) must be sent with the notice of entry of judgment to the party who did not submit the judgment or order.

(e) Items on form that must be completed

A form must be considered complete if items 1b, 1c, 2, 5, and 6 are completed. Either item 3 or item 4 must also be completed as appropriate. If the form is submitted with the judgment or order for court approval, the clerk must complete item 1a once the judgment or order has been signed by the judicial officer and filed.

(f) Clerk handling of form

The completed Child Support Case Registry Form (form FL-191) must not be stored in the court’s file. It should be date and time stamped when received and stored in an area to which the public does not have access. At least once per month all forms received must be mailed to the California Department of Social Services.

(g) Storage of confidential information

Provided that all information is kept confidential, the court may keep either a copy of the form or the information provided on the form in an electronic format.

End

Plain-English Summary

The registry form accompanies every initial child or family support order and every modification, in cases where the local child support agency is not providing enforcement services. A party trying to file without one must be given a blank to complete. It is accepted legibly handwritten in ink or typed, and no filing fee may be charged for it.

Availability is part of the requirement: copies must be available without cost from the clerk’s office and the family law facilitator’s office, and a blank copy goes out with the notice of entry of judgment to whichever party did not submit the judgment.

Completion has a defined minimum — items 1b, 1c, 2, 5 and 6, plus either item 3 or item 4 as appropriate — and where the form is submitted with a judgment for approval, the clerk completes item 1a once the judicial officer has signed and filed it.

The handling provisions are what protect the information on it. The completed form must not be stored in the court’s file. It is date and time stamped on receipt, stored where the public has no access, and mailed to the state department at least once a month. Any electronic copy the court keeps must be kept confidential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to file a Child Support Case Registry Form?

Yes, each time an initial support order or a modification is filed — unless the local child support agency is providing support enforcement services in the case. No filing fee may be charged for it.

Is the registry form part of the public court file?

No. It must not be stored in the court’s file; it is stamped on receipt, stored where the public has no access, and mailed to the California Department of Social Services at least monthly.

Which items on the form have to be filled in?

Items 1b, 1c, 2, 5 and 6, and either item 3 or item 4 as appropriate. The clerk completes item 1a once a judgment submitted with it has been signed and filed.

Amendment History

Rule 5.330 amended effective January 1, 2007; adopted as rule 1280.6 effective July 1, 1999; 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, 2007; previously amended effective January 1, 2003.) (Subd (d) amended effective January 1, 2003.) (Subd (e) amended effective January 1, 2003.) (Subd (f) 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-191 child support case registrychild support registry form Californiais the case registry form public