Rule 5.52.Declaration under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)

Division 1. Family Rules · Chapter 4. Starting and Responding to a Family Law Case; Service of Papers · Article 1. Summonses, Notices, and Declarations · Last amended 2026 · Last verified September 10, 2026

In one sentenceRule 5.52 requires both parties in a case involving children under 18 to file a UCCJEA declaration, and imposes a continuing duty to update it.

Full Text of Rule 5.52

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b)

(a) Filing requirements; application

(1) Petitioner and respondent must each complete, serve, and file a Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) (form FL-105/GC-120) if there are children of their relationship under the age of 18 years.

(2) The form is a required attachment to the petition and response in actions for divorce, or in actions to to [sic] determine a parental relationship (except as provided in (3) or in actions for custody and support of minor children.

(3) The form is not a required attachment to the petition and response in actions to determine a parental relationship involving a gestational carrier agreement unless the petition or response specifies that child custody or visitation (parenting time) or both are at issue in the case.

(b) Duty to update information

In any action or proceeding involving custody of a minor child, a party has a continuing duty to inform the court if he or she obtains further information about a custody proceeding in a California court or any other court concerning a child who is named in the petition, complaint, or response. To comply with this duty, a party must file an updated UCCJEA form with the court and have it served on the other party.

End

Plain-English Summary

Where the parties have children of their relationship under 18, each of them must complete, serve, and file the UCCJEA declaration. It is a required attachment to the petition and the response in dissolution actions, in parentage actions, and in custody and support cases. The one carve-out is a parentage action involving a gestational carrier agreement, where the form is required only if the petition or response puts custody or visitation at issue.

The duty does not end at filing. In any action involving custody of a minor child, a party who learns more about a custody proceeding concerning a named child — in a California court or any other court — must tell this court. Complying means filing an updated UCCJEA form and serving it on the other party, not simply mentioning it at a hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has to file a UCCJEA declaration?

Both petitioner and respondent, where there are children of their relationship under the age of 18. Each must complete, serve, and file the form.

What if I learn about another custody case after I filed?

You have a continuing duty to inform the court. That means filing an updated UCCJEA form and having it served on the other party.

Is the form required in a gestational carrier parentage case?

Only if the petition or response specifies that child custody or visitation (parenting time), or both, are at issue in the case.

Amendment History

Rule 5.52 amended effective July 1, 2026; adopted effective January 1, 2013.

(Subd (a) amended effective July 1, 2026.)

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: UCCJEA declaration CaliforniaFL-105 form family lawchild custody jurisdiction declarationduty to update UCCJEA