Can the FL-680 be signed electronically?

Yes when the court or local rules permit electronic signatures. Under federal and state e-signature frameworks such as ESIGN and UETA, an electronic signature can be legally valid if intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are satisfied.

Is notarization required?

Notarization depends on the content and local court rules. Some jurisdictions require notarized declarations or self-proving affidavits; confirm with the county clerk or judge’s standing orders.

What if the court rejects the filing?

If rejected, the clerk will typically cite the deficiency. Correct the identified items promptly—common issues include missing signatures, incorrect case numbers, or improper service documentation.

How do I serve other parties?

Service methods are set by local rules and may include personal service, mail with proof, or approved electronic service. Preserve proof of service for court submission.

Can supporting exhibits be redacted?

Yes redaction is permitted for sensitive information, but maintain an unredacted version under secure retention if required by court or counsel for in-camera review.

Which recordkeeping practices are recommended?

Keep a signed copy, proof of filing, and proof of service for the full case lifecycle, and follow any applicable industry or federal retention rules for sensitive records.

FL-680 Form

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

PROOF OF SERVICE BY MAIL

ATTORNEY OR PARTY WITHOUT ATTORNEY OR GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY (under Family Code, §§ 17400, 17406)

(Name, state bar number, and address):

TELEPHONE NO.:

ATTORNEY FOR (Name):

FOR COURT USE ONLY

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF

STREET ADDRESS:

MAILING ADDRESS:

CITY AND ZIP CODE:

BRANCH NAME:

FAX NO.:

CASE NUMBER:

PETITIONER/PLAINTIFF:

RESPONDENT/DEFENDANT:

OTHER PARENT:

NOTICE: To serve temporary restraining orders you must use personal service (see form FL-330).

1. I am at least 18 years of age, not a party to this action, and I am a resident of or employed in the county where the mailing took place.

2. My residence or business address is:

3. I served a copy of the following documents (specify):

by enclosing them in an envelope AND

a. depositing the sealed envelope with the United States Postal Service with the postage fully prepaid.

b. placing the envelope for collection and mailing on the date and at the place shown in item 4 following our ordinary business practices. I am readily familiar with this business's practice for collecting and processing correspondence for mailing. On the same day that correspondence is placed for collection and mailing, it is deposited in the ordinary course of business with the United States Postal Service in a sealed envelope with postage fully prepaid.

4. The envelope was addressed and mailed as follows:

a. Name of person served:

b. Address:

c. Date mailed:

d. Place of mailing (city and state):

5. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.

Date:

(TYPE OR PRINT NAME)

(SIGNATURE OF PERSON COMPLETING THIS FORM)

Form Approved for Optional Use

Judicial Council of California

FL-335 [Rev. January 1, 2003]

PROOF OF SERVICE BY MAIL

Page 1 of 2

Code of Civil Procedure, §§ 1013, 1013a

www.courtinfo.ca.gov

What the FL-680 Form Is and when it’s used

The FL-680 Form is a California Judicial Council family law form used to record and report specific case information to the court during family law proceedings. It collects structured facts and declarations that support court filings and case management; accuracy affects scheduling, judicial review, and downstream documents. This guide explains what to enter, who should sign, typical filing destinations, electronic completion options, and key compliance considerations for e-signatures and record retention.

Why accurate completion of the FL-680 Form matters

Completing the FL-680 Form correctly reduces delays in family court proceedings, avoids administrative rejection, and preserves record integrity for hearings and enforcement.

Who commonly prepares and submits this form

The FL-680 is typically completed by family law attorneys, self-represented litigants, and court administrative staff when required by local rules or judicial orders.

Family law attorneys and paralegals handling custody, support, or case-management filings on behalf of clients.
Self-represented litigants submitting required declarations or disclosures directly to the court.
Court clerks, mediators, and case managers who review filings and input data into case management systems.

Use the form only where the local superior court or judge specifically requires it; local rules determine whether electronic copies, original signatures, or notarization are needed.

Stepwise process to complete the FL-680 Form

Follow these sequential steps to prepare a correct, court-ready FL-680 Form and avoid common administrative problems.

01

Gather Documents: Assemble supporting records, IDs, and case numbers before you begin to ensure consistent entries.
02

Complete Fields: Enter information carefully using MM/DD/YYYY for dates and legal names for parties.
03

Review and Verify: Proofread every field and compare to supporting documents to prevent mismatches.
04

Sign and Submit: Sign with an accepted method and file according to local court rules—electronically where allowed.

Configuring an online workflow for FL-680 completion

Set up a simple e-filing workflow to collect data, obtain signatures, and deliver the completed form to the court or opposing counsel.

Field	Configuration
Template	Create a reusable FL-680 template to preserve field positions and instructions.
Authentication	Use email verification or SMS code for signer attribution; consider stronger authentication for sensitive cases.
Conditional Fields	Enable conditional logic to show only relevant sections based on case type or party status.
Delivery	Configure automatic PDF generation and routing to court e-file portal, opposing counsel, and local case manager.

Where to send the completed FL-680 Form

The final form can be submitted to the court clerk, opposing counsel, or an e-filing service depending on local requirements and the judge's orders.

Court Clerk Filing: Submit to the county superior court clerk following that court’s filing procedures and required copies.
E-Filing Portals: If available, transmit via the court-approved e-filing service; follow portal file type and size limits.
Service to Parties: Serve opposing parties by the method required in your jurisdiction—mail, e-service, or in-person delivery as appropriate.
Retention Copy: Retain a signed copy for your records and include it in your case file or client matter management system.

Technical requirements for electronic completion and submission

Use a platform that exports an unalterable signed PDF, supports common file formats, and integrates with court e-filing or document storage systems.

File Formats: PDF/A or PDF export preserves appearance; editable DOCX may be used for drafting but submit PDF for final filing.
Integrations: Integrate with systems such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, NetSuite, Salesforce, or court e-filing portals for automated delivery.
Authentication: Support email verification, SMS codes, and optional advanced authentication for high-assurance signers.

Verify the court accepts electronic submissions; follow local e-filing portal guidance on accepted file types, signer attribution, and batch submission limits.

Core sections you’ll find on a professional FL-680 Form

A well-prepared FL-680 collects consistent identity data, case identifiers, factual declarations, signature blocks, service information, and space for supporting exhibits.

Identification

Party names, case number, and court name must match other filings to ensure proper docketing and service.

Case Details

Concise factual summaries and box-checked status fields help clerks and judges quickly identify the filing’s purpose.

Declarations

Affirmations and factual statements should be written in the first person and signed under penalty of perjury when required.

Service Information

Document how and when other parties were served; include address and method for proof of service.

Exhibits

Attach clearly labeled supporting exhibits; reference exhibit letters or numbers within the form.

Signature Area

Designate signature, printed name, and date fields for each signer; include space for notary acknowledgment if required.

Security, encryption, and compliance considerations

Encryption in Transit: TLS 1.2 / 1.3

Encryption at Rest: AES-256

Data Privacy: GDPR and CCPA-aligned controls

Audit Trail: Tamper-evident timestamps and event logs

Regulatory Standards: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001

Healthcare Compliance: HIPAA available with BAA

Common consequences of an incorrect or incomplete FL-680

Administrative Rejection: Clerk may refuse to accept or file the form until corrections are made, creating scheduling delays.

Hearing Delays: Errors can postpone hearings, cause continuances, or require supplemental filings.

Service Defects: Improper service information may nullify notice and require re-service under local rules.

Evidentiary Issues: Unsupported or poorly labeled exhibits may be excluded at hearing, weakening a party’s position.

Sanctions Risk: Repeated misfiling or false statements may expose a filer to court sanctions per local rules.

Record Integrity: Inconsistent names or dates across filings complicate case management and long-term record searches.

Typical timing and deadline expectations

Deadlines associated with the FL-680 vary by local court orders and the reason for filing; confirm specific timelines with the clerk or local rules.

Filing Window:

Some judges set a filing window (e.g., 14–30 days prior to hearing); check the assigned judge’s standing orders.

Response Deadline:

Opposing parties often have a prescribed time to respond—commonly 30 days—subject to local variation.

Service Timing:

Service may be required a specific number of days before a hearing; document proof of service accordingly.

E-File Cutoffs:

E-filing portals may have daily cutoffs for same-day processing; plan submissions accordingly.

Correction Period:

If rejected, courts typically allow a short cure period for clerical corrections—confirm procedures with the clerk.

eSignature vendor comparison for FL-680 workflows

Compare common eSignature plans by starting price, trial availability, bulk send support, audit trails, HIPAA compliance, and envelope limits when selecting a platform.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Frequent pitfalls to avoid when preparing the FL-680

Using inconsistent party names across filings that confuse the clerk or court calendar.
Submitting unsigned or improperly dated copies that the court returns as incomplete.
Attaching unindexed exhibits that make it difficult for judges or clerks to verify supporting facts.
Assuming all courts accept the same e-filing or e-signature methods without confirming local rules.

Practical tips for accurate and efficient completion

Implement consistent review and routing steps to minimize errors and accelerate court acceptance.

Standardize Templates

Create a firm or office-level FL-680 template with consistent field labels and embedded instructions so clerks and opposing parties see uniform, predictable filings.

Validate Data

Cross-check names, dates, and case numbers against prior filings and client IDs before signing to prevent administrative rejection.

Use Clear Exhibits

Label exhibits with letters or numbers and reference them in the form; include a table of contents for multi-page attachments.

Track Service

Record and preserve proof of service and delivery receipts to demonstrate compliance with notice requirements.

Real-world examples of digital form use in legal workflows

These examples show how legal teams and practitioners incorporate digital signing to streamline family law filings.

Tim Martin, Founder — Martin Properties

Tim Martin shifted to online document processing for court filings to maintain continuity during remote work

He emphasized mobile and offline signing capability
The result was consistent, compliant filing throughput and fewer in-person trips to the courthouse, improving turnaround for clients.

Kodi-Marie Evans, Director — Xerox

Kodi-Marie Evans integrated eSignature into NetSuite-driven workflows to automate document distribution

Integration reduced manual handoffs and errors
The team gained flexibility to route and sign FL-680 style forms electronically while preserving audit trails and signed archives.

Frequently asked questions about the FL-680 Form

Answers to common questions about completion, signing, and submitting the FL-680 Form in a family law context.

Need help? Contact support

Can the FL-680 be signed electronically?
Yes when the court or local rules permit electronic signatures. Under federal and state e-signature frameworks such as ESIGN and UETA, an electronic signature can be legally valid if intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are satisfied.
Is notarization required?
Notarization depends on the content and local court rules. Some jurisdictions require notarized declarations or self-proving affidavits; confirm with the county clerk or judge’s standing orders.
What if the court rejects the filing?
If rejected, the clerk will typically cite the deficiency. Correct the identified items promptly—common issues include missing signatures, incorrect case numbers, or improper service documentation.
How do I serve other parties?
Service methods are set by local rules and may include personal service, mail with proof, or approved electronic service. Preserve proof of service for court submission.
Can supporting exhibits be redacted?
Yes redaction is permitted for sensitive information, but maintain an unredacted version under secure retention if required by court or counsel for in-camera review.
Which recordkeeping practices are recommended?
Keep a signed copy, proof of filing, and proof of service for the full case lifecycle, and follow any applicable industry or federal retention rules for sensitive records.

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