---
title: "Genuine steps certificate (family law)"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/precedents/family-law/form-fcfcoa-genuine-steps-certificate"
type: "precedent"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "a16-form-fcfcoa-genuine-steps-certificate"
area_id: "A16"
kind: "form"
ai_level: "yellow"
version: 1
task_ids: ["A16-A20260923-1", "A16-B6-2", "A16-T1-R7"]
law_stated_as_at: "2026-10-22"
---

# Genuine steps certificate (family law)

> Link to the family law Genuine Steps Certificate, filed with an initiating application or a response to confirm pre-action procedures in Schedule 1 of the Family Law Rules 2021.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/precedents/family-law/form-fcfcoa-genuine-steps-certificate  
Law stated as at: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

- Kind: Form. A form to complete, or a guide to completing an official one.
- Practice area: [Family Law](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/family-law.md)
- Jurisdictions: Commonwealth
- AI level: Yellow. You and the tool draft together, with you directing. You check every statement you rely on.
- Law stated as at: 2026-10-22
- Status: Maintained. Checked on 2026-10-22 against the official form at fcfcoa.gov.au and the 2 authorities it cites, for Commonwealth.

## When to use it

Use when an applicant or respondent seeks final or interlocutory orders and the Court page requires this certificate with the initiating application or the response. It is not filed with an application in a proceeding.

## Used for these tasks

- [Draft a mediation or family-dispute-resolution position paper from the disclosure file](https://ailawframework.com/practice/family-law/draft-a-mediation-or-family-dispute-resolution-position-paper-from-the-d.md)
- [Comply with FCFCOA PD-AI when preparing documents](https://ailawframework.com/practice/family-law/comply-with-fcfcoa-pd-ai-when-preparing-documents.md)
- [Draft a parenting plan or parenting orders from the arrangements sheet](https://ailawframework.com/practice/family-law/draft-a-parenting-plan-or-parenting-orders-from-the-arrangements-sheet.md)

## How AI may be used

Yellow. A tool may compare a working note with the current official form and list what is missing. The lawyer downloads the form, completes it and lodges it.

**AI may:**

- List the facts and documents the official page says to have ready.
- Compare a working checklist with the current downloaded form and mark gaps.
- Prepare a filing note that quotes only what the official page says.

**AI must not:**

- Do not copy the official form into a new document or file a retyped version.
- Do not invent a form number, fee, time limit or rule that is not on the official page.
- Do not draft, settle or sign an affidavit or other sworn evidence.
- Do not lodge the form or tell the client it has been filed.

**The lawyer checks:**

- File it with the initiating application or the response, as the page allocates.
- Do not file it with an application in a proceeding. Explain the settlement attempt in the affidavit instead.
- Record only the pre-action steps that were actually taken.
- Download the current certificate. The page links a June 2025 PDF.

## Authorities

- [Genuine Steps Certificate (family law).](https://www.fcfcoa.gov.au/fl/forms/genuine-steps-fl)
- [Legislation page linked from the certificate as Schedule 1 of the Family Law Rules 2021.](https://www.legislation.gov.au/Current/F2021L01197)

## Official form

[Official form](https://www.fcfcoa.gov.au/fl/forms/genuine-steps-fl)

## Where this comes from

The official form is published by fcfcoa.gov.au; this page is a completion guide. Last checked on 2026-10-22.

## Full text and drafting notes

The full text and the drafting notes are not part of this public page. Signed-in firm accounts can read them at https://ailawframework.com/precedents/family-law/form-fcfcoa-genuine-steps-certificate and through the signed-in MCP connector https://ailawframework.com/mcp/firm.

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*