What is the declaration used for

It provides the court with sworn facts about the child's residence and prior custody actions so the court can determine jurisdiction under the UCJEA and consider registration or enforcement of out-of-state orders.

Can the declaration be e-signed

Electronic signatures are generally valid under ESIGN and UETA for interstate filings, provided parties consent and the platform captures intent, attribution, and retention evidence; check the local court's electronic filing rules first.

Is notarization always required

Notarization or witnessing requirements vary by jurisdiction; some courts accept a declaration signed under penalty of perjury without notarization, while others require notarized verification.

What supporting documents are needed

Attach certified copies of prior custody orders, proof of residence (school records, medical records), and any prior court filings to substantiate statements in the declaration.

What if facts change after filing

File an amended declaration or supplemental declaration with the court as soon as material facts change to avoid enforcement or jurisdictional disputes.

How courts treat conflicting orders

Courts compare prior orders and the child's home state to resolve conflicts; clear documentation in the declaration helps courts apply UCJEA rules and decide whether to stay, decline, or proceed.

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California Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act

California Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act

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What the California Declaration under the UCJEA is and when it applies

The California Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act is a sworn statement used in family court to establish jurisdiction and provide factual background about a child's habitual residence, existing custody orders, and related proceedings. Courts use the declaration to determine which state has authority under the UCJEA and to support enforcement or registration of out-of-state custody orders. The form typically lists the child, parties, prior proceedings, and reasons the forum state should exercise or decline jurisdiction.

Why this declaration matters in custody matters

Filing the declaration clarifies jurisdiction, reduces conflicting orders, and helps courts decide whether to accept, decline, or transfer a custody case. It assists enforcement across state lines and streamlines record review by summarizing prior orders, filings, and the child's residence history.

Who typically completes or relies on this declaration

The declaration is used by parties and professionals involved in custody litigation to document jurisdictional facts and prior orders before a California family court.

Parents or legal guardians preparing a custody petition or response to establish habitual residence and prior orders, often to secure or defend parenting time and custody rights.
Family law attorneys completing factual declarations, attaching supporting court records, and advising clients on jurisdictional strategy in interstate disputes.
Court clerks and judges using the declaration to screen for competing orders, to decide on temporary emergency relief, or to register an out-of-state custody order for enforcement.

Step-by-step: completing the California UCJEA declaration

Follow these steps to prepare an accurate declaration, attach supporting documents, and submit to the family court handling the custody matter.

01

Gather records: Collect prior custody orders, pleadings, and proof of residence for the child.
02

Complete form: Enter accurate names, dates, addresses, and case numbers where requested.
03

Sign and notarize: Sign under penalty of perjury and follow local notarization or witness requirements.
04

File with court: File the declaration with the family court clerk and serve opposing parties per local rules.

Frequently asked questions about the California UCJEA declaration

Answers to common procedural and legal questions to help avoid delays and ensure enforceability.

Need help? Contact support

What is the declaration used for
It provides the court with sworn facts about the child's residence and prior custody actions so the court can determine jurisdiction under the UCJEA and consider registration or enforcement of out-of-state orders.
Can the declaration be e-signed
Electronic signatures are generally valid under ESIGN and UETA for interstate filings, provided parties consent and the platform captures intent, attribution, and retention evidence; check the local court's electronic filing rules first.
Is notarization always required
Notarization or witnessing requirements vary by jurisdiction; some courts accept a declaration signed under penalty of perjury without notarization, while others require notarized verification.
What supporting documents are needed
Attach certified copies of prior custody orders, proof of residence (school records, medical records), and any prior court filings to substantiate statements in the declaration.
What if facts change after filing
File an amended declaration or supplemental declaration with the court as soon as material facts change to avoid enforcement or jurisdictional disputes.
How courts treat conflicting orders
Courts compare prior orders and the child's home state to resolve conflicts; clear documentation in the declaration helps courts apply UCJEA rules and decide whether to stay, decline, or proceed.

Security and compliance points to consider

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest

Audit Trail: Comprehensive timestamp and IP history

HIPAA: BAA available for protected health data

21 CFR Part 11: Support for regulated electronic records

SOC 2: SOC 2 Type II report available

Access Control: Role-based permissions and 2FA

Key risks and consequences of incorrect declarations

Jurisdictional conflict: Competing orders may cause stay or transfer

Enforcement delay: Missing details can delay enforcement

Perjury exposure: False statements risk criminal penalties

Invalid registration: Incomplete attachments can void registration

Service issues: Improper service can bar relief

Privacy breaches: Sensitive data mishandling invites liability

Where to file and how documents are routed

Submit the declaration according to the local family court's filing rules; routing options include in-person, mail, and authorized electronic filing systems.

Local family court: File with the clerk where the custody petition is or will be heard
Court clerk office: Clerks intake, stamp, and assign a case number on receipt
Mail or courier: Send certified copies when originals cannot be delivered in person
Electronic filing: Use court-authorized eFiling portals when the court accepts electronic submissions

Timing considerations and common filing deadlines

Timelines vary by court; pay attention to service, hearing, and appeal deadlines to preserve rights and enable timely enforcement.

File with petition:

Submit the declaration when filing a custody petition or registration request

Service timeline:

Serve opposing parties per state rules before scheduled hearings

Emergency relief:

Request immediate temporary orders when safety or imminent removal risk exists

Hearing scheduling:

Local courts set hearing dates; be ready with attachments at the hearing

Appeal periods:

Appeal deadlines and post-judgment procedures follow state appellate rules

Core sections to include in a professional declaration

A complete declaration organizes facts logically and supports jurisdictional claims with precise dates, addresses, and certified attachments.

Child Details

Full legal name, date of birth, current address, school, and any aliases to establish identity and avoid mismatches.

Residence History

Chronological list of addresses and dates showing habitual residence and continuity across relevant time periods for UCJEA analysis.

Prior Proceedings

List prior custody, protection, or juvenile court orders with court names, dates, and case numbers; attach certified copies where possible.

Jurisdictional Facts

Describe contacts with the forum state, significant connections, and reasons the court should exercise or decline jurisdiction.

Safety Concerns

Detail any history of abuse, abduction risk, or protective orders that justify expedited relief or specific enforcement measures.

Verification

A signed declaration under penalty of perjury, with notarization or witness statements if required by local court rules.

Digital submission and platform considerations

Courts and agencies increasingly accept electronic documents; confirm acceptable file types and authentication levels before eSubmission.

File formats: PDF and DOCX widely supported
Integrations: Common integrations include Salesforce and Google Workspace
Authentication: Email, SMS code, or stronger methods supported

Comparing eSignature vendor basics for custody declarations

Select an eSignature provider that meets court rules for authentication, audit trail, and data security; the table below summarizes common plan-level differences.

	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

Real-world examples of how declarations are used

Two illustrative examples show how parties and organizations use declaratory summaries to support jurisdictional findings and streamline processing.

Martin Properties — Tim Martin, Founder

A property management executive needed to verify a dependent's residence for school enrollment

used a sworn declaration to document residency
the court accepted the declaration and the school updated records, avoiding an administrative delay and demonstrating clear identification of jurisdictional facts.

BIS — Dan Rotelli, CEO

A business executive faced an interstate custody registration issue requiring fast evidence of prior orders

attached certified orders and a detailed residence history
the receiving court registered the out-of-state order for enforcement after verifying the declaration and attachments, enabling timely custody measures.

Who signs and certifies the declaration

Parent / Legal Guardian

The parent or guardian signs to attest to factual information under penalty of perjury; accuracy is critical because false statements can carry criminal or civil consequences and may undermine enforcement or custody determinations.

Family Law Attorney

An attorney often prepares or reviews the declaration, attaches certified records, and may sign verification where required; attorney involvement helps ensure jurisdictional issues are stated precisely and procedural requirements are met.

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