Order to Show Cause (Governmental)
California · Judicial Council of California · Effective January 1, 2026
This form is a notice from a government agency telling someone they must appear in court to explain why a change in child support or other related orders should not be made. It sets a date and time for the person to appear before the judge.
The court describes it as: Tells you the local child support agency is requesting new orders in your case.
Where this fits in a case
JudgmentStage: Judgment
This form is used when a local child support agency needs the court to make new orders regarding child support, health care, or other issues.
Prepared by the court or clerk.
Common questions
- Who is supposed to fill out this form?
- The form is issued by a governmental agency, which is the local child support agency.
- Do I have to pay a fee to file a response to this notice?
- The form states that you do not have to pay any fee to file your Response to Governmental Notice of Motion or Order to Show Cause (Governmental) (form FL-685) and your completed Income and Expense Declaration (form FL-150) or Financial Statement (Simplified) (form FL-155).
- What documents must be served with this order?
- The order states that a completed Request for Order and Supporting Declaration (Governmental) (form FL-684), or equivalent, must be served, along with financial information and other listed items.
Revision history
No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect January 1, 2026.
Related forms
- FL-150
Income and Expense Declaration
This form asks for detailed financial information about income, expenses, and assets for both parties involved in a case. The court uses this information to help make orders regarding support payments and other costs.
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Eff. Sep 1, 2024
- FL-155
Financial Statement (Simplified)
This form asks for detailed financial information about income and expenses for both parents. It is used to give the court and the other parent financial details that the court will look at when making child support orders.
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Eff. Jan 1, 2004
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This form is an order from the judge that requires people to undergo genetic testing to determine if someone is the parent of a child. It names the people involved, the testing location, and the expert who will examine the samples.
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Eff. Jan 1, 2003
- FL-684
Request for Order and Supporting Declaration (Governmental)
This form is used to ask the court for several types of official orders related to children, such as confirming parentage, setting up child support payments, or ordering health insurance coverage. It requires the person filing it to state the facts supporting these requests.
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Eff. Jan 1, 2010
- FL-685
Response to Governmental Notice of Motion or Order to Show Cause
This form is used to tell the judge and the local child support agency whether you agree with the requests for new orders in your case. It asks for agreement or disagreement regarding parentage, child support, health insurance, property restraint, and other matters.
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Eff. Jan 1, 2012
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Declaration for Default or Uncontested Judgment (Uniform Parentage—Custody and Support)
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Eff. Jan 1, 2020
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Stipulation for Entry of Judgment Re: Determination of Parental Relationship
This form is an agreement between parents to ask the court to officially write up a final judgment about establishing parentage, child custody, visitation, child support, and other related matters. It requires the parents to agree to the terms listed in the document.
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Eff. Jan 1, 2021
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Eff. Jul 1, 2026