What Is Form FL-105? The UCCJEA Declaration Explained

 

Disclaimer This article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Court forms, filing requirements, and procedures are subject to change. Always verify current form versions at courts.ca.gov and consult a licensed California attorney for guidance specific to your situation. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship with SuperDocs or any attorney.

 

If you handle child custody cases in California, you have likely come across FL-105 — the Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA). While it may look like just another form, FL-105 plays a critical role in establishing the court’s authority to make custody orders.

Filing an incomplete or inaccurate FL-105 can lead to delays, requests for correction, or jurisdictional complications — and because the form is jurisdictional, even small omissions can create disproportionate problems. For attorneys and paralegals, the real objective is to prepare it accurately the first time and to make sure it aligns with the rest of the filing package.

 

Why FL-105 Matters

The UCCJEA is a uniform law adopted by every state, including California, to determine which state has jurisdiction to make child custody decisions. Its purpose is to prevent conflicting custody orders between states and help ensure that valid custody orders are respected and enforceable nationwide.

FL-105 gives the court the information it needs to determine whether California has jurisdiction over the child custody matter. Without it, the court lacks a basis to assert jurisdiction and cannot move forward on custody-related requests.

 

When Is FL-105 Required?

You must file FL-105 in family law cases involving child custody or visitation, including:

•     Dissolution of marriage matters involving minor children

•     Legal separation matters involving child custody or visitation

•     Parentage actions

•     Domestic partnership cases involving children

•     Requests for custody or visitation orders

 

It is typically filed with the initial petition or with a request involving custody issues, and it remains important whenever the court needs to confirm jurisdiction.

 

How to Complete FL-105: Section-by-Section Guide

1. Child Information

List each child’s full name and date of birth. If there are more children than the form allows, attach an additional page using MC-020 or another approved continuation page.

2. Home State Information

Identify where each child has lived during the previous five years and with whom. If the child has lived in California for the last six months, list California as the home state for that time period.

3. Previous Custody Cases

Disclose whether there are any other custody cases concerning the child in California or another state. Include available information such as the case number, court name, and current status.

4. Other People Claiming Custody

List all persons not already named in the case who may claim a right to custody or visitation. Include names, addresses when required, and the relationship to the child.

5. Domestic Violence Orders & Special Circumstances

Answer the questions about domestic violence restraining orders, emergency protection orders, abandoned children, and whether the child is the subject of another custody proceeding. Do not skip any question even if the answer seems unimportant — blank fields signal an incomplete declaration.

 

Mistakes and Best Practices

Because FL-105 is jurisdictional, errors here have outsized consequences compared to other forms. The most common problems to avoid:

•     Failing to list every child involved in the case

•     Leaving out prior custody matters in other states

•     Using incomplete residence history

•     Skipping a question because the answer seems unimportant

•     Submitting an unsigned or inconsistent declaration

 

And the workflow habits that prevent them:

•     Gather the child’s five-year residence history during intake rather than reconstructing it at filing time

•     Confirm whether any other state has issued custody or protection orders before filing

•     Use the same party names, child names, and matter details across all related forms

•     Recheck the declaration whenever new facts emerge that might affect jurisdiction

•     Review FL-105 alongside the petition and any custody-related requests before submitting

 

How SuperDocs Can Help

SuperDocs is a California court form platform designed for attorneys and paralegals. No lengthy setup, no forms about forms — just open a CJC court form and start typing. Shared case details fill in as you go, and information entered on one form is available across related forms in the same matter. Checkboxes, dates, assets, and other details are tracked behind the scenes so nothing gets missed.

For FL-105 filings, party names, child details, and case numbers entered once are available across FL-100, FL-110, and related forms in the same case.

Spend less time on re-entry, more time on the case.

•     Open any court form and start typing — no lengthy setup required

•     Shared case details and contacts are available across related forms — enter data once and reuse it throughout the case

•     Assets, dates, and case details tracked and reused across the entire case

•     Review and edit any field before printing or downloading

•     Save client profiles for use throughout the lifecycle of the case

 

 

Ready to Get Started with SuperDocs? Open any CJC court form and start typing. Try it free for 7 days — no payment required.  Get Started Free at superdocs.com