Skip to content
LitigationForms
EM-100Mandatory

Petition for Declaration of Emancipation of Minor, Order Prescribing Notice, Declaration of Emancipation, and Order Denying Petition

California · Judicial Council of California · Effective September 1, 2018

This form is used to ask the court to legally declare a minor, who is between 14 and 18, as emancipated. It asks the court to make a declaration, set notice requirements, and can include an order either granting or denying the emancipation.

The court describes it as: Ask the court to legally live separate and apart from your parents or legal guardian, and make your own decisions as a person who is between the age of 14 and 18 (emancipated). Generally, you have to show a judge that your parent(s) or legal guardian agrees and that you can financially support yourself in a legal way.

Open the official PDFfrom Judicial Council of California

Where this fits in a case

Start a case

Stage: Start a case

This form is used when a minor wants to ask the court to legally live and make decisions as if they were an adult, which usually requires showing that parents or a guardian agree and that the minor can support themselves.

Usually filed by the person starting the case.

Common questions

What is this form for?
This form is used to ask the court to declare you legally emancipated, meaning you can live and make decisions as an adult. It includes sections for the court to issue orders about this request.
Who fills out this form?
The petitioner, who is the minor asking for emancipation, fills out this form. It also includes sections for the court to fill out.
Does this form require a hearing?
The form includes sections for the court to issue orders, which may happen with or without a hearing, depending on what the court finds.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect September 1, 2018.

Related forms

  • ADOPT-200

    Adoption Request

    This form is used to tell the court who is asking for an adoption and what kind of adoption is being requested. It asks for information about the adopting parents, the child, and the type of adoption.

    MandatoryFillable PDF4 translations
  • ADOPT-203

    Stepparent Adoption Request

    This form is used to start a case asking the court to approve a stepparent adoption. It asks for information about the adopting parent, the child, and details about the adoption itself.

    MandatoryFillable PDF4 translations
  • ADR-103

    Petition to Confirm, Correct, or Vacate Attorney-Client Fee Arbitration Award

    This form is used to ask the court to approve, fix, or cancel a decision (award) made by an arbitrator regarding a dispute over attorney fees. It is used only for certain types of binding awards from specific fee arbitration programs.

    OptionalFillable PDF
  • EM-100-INFO

    Emancipation Pamphlet

    This pamphlet explains what emancipation is, which is a legal way for a minor to gain freedom from their parents' control before reaching the age of majority. It also lists the forms needed to ask a judge for this declaration.

    MandatoryFillable PDF4 translations
  • EM-140

    Emancipated Minor's Application to California Department of Motor Vehicles

    This form is used to ask the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to add information to your ID or Driver's License showing that a judge declared you emancipated. You must attach a certified copy of the Declaration of Emancipation.

    OptionalFillable PDF
  • FL-311

    Child Custody and Visitation (Parenting Time) Application Attachment

    This form is an attachment used when asking the court for decisions about child custody and visitation time. It asks for specific details about who should have physical and legal custody, and it allows the person filling it out to suggest a schedule for parenting time.

    OptionalFillable PDF1 translation
  • FL-337

    Application to Set Aside Order to Pay Waived Court Fees—Attachment

    This form is used to ask the court to cancel an existing order that told you to pay court fees that were waived. It is always filed along with a Request for Order (form FL-300).

    MandatoryFillable PDF
  • FL-360

    Request for Hearing and Application to Set Aside Support Order Under Family Code Section 3691

    This form is used to ask the court to cancel or remove a support order that requires someone to pay support. The request must state that the order should be set aside because of fraud, lying under oath (perjury), or a lack of proper notice.

    MandatoryFillable PDF