How to get supervised visitation in California
In California you ask the family court for supervised visits by filing a Request for Order and describing the visits you want. A judge decides at a hearing, and the order names who supervises and how the visits work.
Step by step
- Check for an existing case If a custody or parenting time case already exists, you ask for changes in that case. The Self Help Guide has a page on asking for or changing a custody and parenting time order.
- Fill out a Request for Order Use Request for Order (form FL-300) to say what orders you want and why. You can attach the Child Custody and Visitation (Parenting Time) Application Attachment (form FL-311) for schedule details. Use Attached Declaration (form MC-031) if you need more room.
- Say what you want for supervision Supervised Visitation and Exchanges Order (form FL-341(A)) is the court's order form for supervised visits. It covers the provider, the schedule, in person or virtual visits, and the share each party pays.
- File your forms Give the clerk the original and 2 copies. The clerk stamps them and gives you a hearing date. The Self Help Guide lists filing fees of $60 to $85 for this request, and higher for first filings. You can ask for a fee waiver if you cannot afford the fee.
- Serve the other parent After filing, the other parent must be served with the papers. The Self Help Guide has separate instructions on service.
- Go to mediation or child custody recommending counseling California requires you to attend mediation or child custody recommending counseling before you see the judge on custody and visitation.
- Attend the hearing The judge reviews your request and your papers. If the judge orders supervised visits, the order can name a professional provider and an alternate, and can set a deadline to contact the provider.
- After the order, choose a provider and schedule Professional providers charge a fee. A nonprofessional provider, such as a friend or relative, is usually unpaid and must be a person named in the order. Many superior courts post lists of providers and say the lists are not an endorsement, so contact providers to confirm pricing and availability.
Forms
- FL-300 Request for Order: Main form to ask for or change custody and parenting time orders. This copy is hosted by Orange County Superior Court.
- FL-311 Child Custody and Visitation (Parenting Time) Application Attachment: Attachment for schedules and other custody and visitation details.
- FL-341(A) Supervised Visitation Order: Order form for supervised visits and exchanges, including the provider and payment split.
- FL-311-INFO What Are Visitation or Parenting Time Orders?: Plain language information sheet on visitation orders and supervised visitation.
Good to know
- Court lists of supervised visitation providers are not endorsements. The Yolo County court says to contact providers directly to confirm pricing and availability.
- Yolo County's court page says supervised visitation is intended to be a temporary solution that should not continue past six months.
- Professional providers are mandated reporters and must report suspected child abuse. The court information sheet FL-311-INFO says this.
- If you cannot afford the court filing fee, you can ask the court for a fee waiver. Your local family law facilitator or self help center can help with forms.
- Low income noncustodial parents may qualify for free supervised visits through the Access to Visitation grant program in some counties. Orange County lists it with a two hour weekly limit.