How to file forms with the court
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Take your forms to the court clerk
Go to the courthouse you listed on your forms.
At the courthouse, you’ll file the forms you filled out by giving the original and the 2 copies to the clerk. If you filled out additional forms, give these to the clerk as well.
The clerk will stamp the forms, keep the original, and return the copies to you. One is for you, the other for the person who started the parentage case (the petitioner).
Yes, you can file by mail. Mail the original and 2 copies to the clerk. You need to include the filing fee (or request for fee waiver) and a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can mail your copies back to you. Make sure to include enough postage. If you do not include a self-addressed stamped envelope you will have to go to the courthouse to pick up your copies.
Some courts allow online filing. You can find out if your court has online filing by visiting your court’s website. -
Pay a filing fee
You’ll need to pay a fee of $435-$450 to the clerk when you file your forms. If you're also asking for temporary orders, there will be an additional fee of $60-$85.
If you can’t afford the fee, you can ask the clerk for a fee waiver. You qualify for a fee waiver if:
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You receive public benefits
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Your income is less than a set amount
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You can’t afford the fee and meet your basic needs
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Respond to a parentage case
What's next?
Once you have served and filed your Response, you can move forward with the case. You and the other person will need to either come to an agreement and finalize your case, or file papers to ask the court to decide about any issues where you don't agree.