Advertising scope: This page identifies a category of clerical document preparation that a participating office may offer. It does not select or recommend forms, determine eligibility, explain legal rights, or provide advice about deadlines, remedies or strategy.
About Parentage Document Preparation
A parentage case may be used to establish legal parentage and request related orders. The forms can require detailed information about the parties, children, prior cases, custody requests and support issues.
A document preparer can type the customer’s chosen requests into the appropriate selected forms. The office cannot determine parentage, recommend testing or advise what orders should be sought.
California availability: This page concerns self-help document preparation for California matters. Services, procedures and pricing vary by independently owned office.
Documents customers may request
The exact package depends on the customer’s selected service, instructions and local requirements. The customer must identify the documents requested. Depending on the office and the customer’s directions, preparation services may include:
- Parentage petition or response
- Summons and service forms
- Child-custody jurisdiction declaration
- Custody and visitation attachments
- Support-related financial forms
- Proposed order documents
How document preparation works
Provide full party and child information, existing acknowledgments or orders and the exact relief you want documented. The local office prepares the paperwork at your specific direction.
You remain responsible for reviewing the completed documents, confirming that your information and directions were entered correctly, signing where required and meeting applicable deadlines. Ask the local office which clerical filing, recording, publication, notary or service options it offers.
Common questions
What does parentage document preparation include?
The package may include a petition or response, summons, service papers, custody jurisdiction forms and customer-selected custody or support attachments.
Is parentage document preparation available at every California By The People office?
No. Service availability, process, timing and pricing vary among independently owned California offices. Contact the office that would prepare your documents.
Can a By The People office tell me what choices to make?
No. The customer must select the service and provide the decisions and information used to prepare the documents. Offices do not provide legal advice or representation.
Are filing, recording, publication or service fees included?
Third-party charges are separate unless the local office specifically states otherwise in its written quote.