Rule 5.360.Appearance by local child support agency

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 5.360 lets a local child support agency appear in a case it did not start by serving and filing a single notice — and bars the court from demanding anything more.

Full Text of Rule 5.360

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When a local child support agency is providing services as required by Family Code section 17400, that agency may appear in any action or proceeding that it did not initiate by giving written notice to all parties, on Notice Regarding Payment of Support (form FL-632), that it is providing services in that action or proceeding under title IV-D of the Social Security Act. The agency must file the original of the notice in the action or proceeding with proof of service by mail on the parties. On service and filing of the notice, the court must not require the local child support agency to file any other notice or pleading before that agency appears in the action or proceeding.

End

Plain-English Summary

Where the agency is providing services and wants to participate in a case someone else began, it gives written notice to all parties on the prescribed form saying it is providing title IV-D services in that action, and files the original with proof of service by mail.

The second half is what makes it work: on service and filing of that notice, the court must not require the agency to file any other notice or pleading before it appears. One document, and the agency is in.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the child support agency join a case it did not file?

By giving written notice to all parties on Notice Regarding Payment of Support (form FL-632) that it is providing title IV-D services, and filing the original with proof of service by mail.

Does the agency have to file a pleading to appear?

No. On service and filing of that notice, the court must not require any other notice or pleading before the agency appears.

Amendment History

Rule 5.360 amended effective January 1, 2007; adopted as rule 1280.12 effective January 1, 2001; previously amended and renumbered 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: child support agency appearance CaliforniaFL-632 notice payment of supportagency intervene support case