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Virtual Parentage And Request For Order (UPA/RFO) Workshop

Virtual Parentage and Request for Order (UPA/RFO) Workshop

In this workshop you will find answers to:

How to start a Parentage case (or custody case for unmarried parents) and Request For Orders

Starting a Parentage (or custody) case for unmarried parents
This video provides information about starting a parentage (or custody) case for unmarried parents, the legal terminology, and the process, including: how to ask for custody, visitation and child support orders, as well as what to do after filing the case. Prior to having the Self Help Center review forms to start a parentage case, you must watch this video and submit the information requested at the end of this video.

Who Should View this Video?
Anyone is welcome to view the video. Please do not submit the information at the end of the course if you do not plan to file your case in Santa Clara County.

You should watch this video if:

  • You wish to start a parentage case (or a custody case for unmarried parents) and want more information about the process.
  • You want the Self Help Center to review your new parentage case forms.

What to Expect
Plan for a minimum of 57 minutes to complete the entire video. After the video you will be given options to access the forms.

Click play below to start the program. To create a record of your participation at the end of the program, you will need to provide the following required information:

  • Name
  • E-mail address
  • Phone number

After the video, you will review your options to access the forms. After you have completed the forms, you can choose to submit them to the Self Help Center for review, before filing forms with the Clerk’s Office.

Parentage and Request for Order (UPA/RFO) Workshop Video

UPDATE: You can now e-file Fee Waiver and Ex-Parte requests online.

Important: After after you watch the video, if you want to create a record of your participation so the Self Help Center staff can review your forms before filing,  click the blue button below to fill out the Online Video Viewing Verification Form.

Online Video Viewing Verification Form 

If your forms are not sufficiently completed, the Self Help Center may require you to watch the workshop video again before reviewing your forms.

Filling out your Parentage and Request for Order (UPA/RFO) forms

Now that you have finished watching the UPA/RFO workshop video, you are ready to start filling out your custody (also referred to as parentage) forms, as well as ask for custody, visitation and/or child support orders. You have several options below for filling out your forms. Please read through each option thoroughly to determine which option is best for you. You will only need to choose one option below to fill out your forms.

When filling out your forms online, please remember to write down your login name and password, and keep that information in a safe, confidential place.

*Disclaimer: The review of your forms by the Self Help Center is for new parentage filings only.

  1. Guide and File: This website gives you interactive parentage and custody forms to fill out. At the end of the program, you have the option of filing your forms online with the Clerk’s office without having them reviewed. Alternatively, you may download a PDF version of your form and send them to the Self Help Center staff for review before filing your forms. (See Optional: Have Your Forms Reviewed by the Self Help Center Staff below for more information.)

    https://santaclara.courts.ca.gov/self-help/free-low-cost-legal-help/odyssey-guide-and-file-complete-forms-home

    Guide and File Program Instructions:

    • Select “Start a Custody Case”.
    • Once you are signed into Guide and File, select “Petition to Establish Parentage or Custody and Support” as the case you want to open.
    • A few screens later, select “Petition to Determine Parental Relationship” to open a parentage case. (Do NOT choose "Petition for Custody and Support of Minor Children”.)

    The Self Help Center strongly encourages all litigants who have access to the internet and a computer to use Guide and File above for filling out your parentage forms.

  2. Self Help Center Website: On the court’s website, we have blank form packets, and sample packets you can download and print. Once you have both packets, you use the sample packet as a guide to complete the blank forms. Before filing your forms with the Clerk’s office, you may have them reviewed by the Self Help Center.
  3. No Internet /No Computer/No Printer Access: For litigants who do not have access to the internet or no access to a computer, or no access to a printer. Please contact our office by calling 408-882-2926. A member of our staff can mail you a packet or make other arrangements, as necessary.

Optional: Have your forms reviewed by the Self Help Center staff

If you have filled out your forms, and do NOT need a staff member from the Self Help Center to review your forms before turning them into the Clerk’s office, skip to the next section on Filing Your Forms.

If you have filled out your forms, and would like for a staff member at the Self Help Center to review your forms, follow the instructions below:

*Disclaimer: YOU MUST HAVE WATCHED AND SUBMITTED THE ONLINE VIEWING VERIFICATION of the Parentage and Request For Order (UPA/RFO) workshop video above in order for the Self Help Center staff to review your forms. Failure to watch and submit online verification will result in rejection of your forms for review.

  1. Email your parentage forms (in PDF format only) to us for review at SHCCustody@scscourt.org.
  2. After we have received your submission, a Self Help Center staff member will contact you with feedback on your forms, including the next steps in your case. Make sure the name, phone number and email address you provided on your forms are correct.
  3. If you have any further questions after our staff has reviewed your forms, contact our office by email at SHCCustody@scscourt.org, or checking our Self Help Center webpage for more information.

Filing your forms with the Clerk’s Office

Once you are ready to file your forms, click here to download a copy of your filing instructions: Start UPA with RFO-Instructions

UPDATE: You can now e-file Fee Waiver and Ex-Parte requests online.