This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Child Support and Paternity issues in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Child Support
Child Support Chapter of the Family Law Handbook published by North Penn Legal Services dealing with Child Support. (2026)
Dauphin County: Navigating the Child Support Process
Information and instructional videos from the Dauphin County Self Help Center on navigating the child support process in Dauphin County.
Family Law Handbook
This handbook provides useful information about common Family Law issues. If you need Family Law help, this handbook has good suggestions about some of the most common areas of Family Law. This handbook also gives answers to commonly asked questions. (2026)
Paternity
This is the Paternity Chapter of the Family Law Handbook published by North Penn Legal Services. In Pennsylvania, when a child is born to a woman who is unmarried, there is no legal relationship between the father and the child. A father of a child born to an unmarried woman is not the father for legal purposes. Therefore, paternity is the way to establish legal fatherhood. (2026)
Local Support and Domestic Relations Office Procedures
This webpage provides links to information on support collection and Domestic Relations Office procedures in various counties in Pennsylvania.
Adams County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Adams County.
Armstrong County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Armstrong County.
Beaver County Court Forms
Forms available through the Beaver County Law Library that may be used in Beaver county.
Beaver County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Beaver County.
Bedford County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Bedford County.
Berks County: Domestic Relations Section of the Berks County Court of Common Pleas
Domestic Relations is a part of the Berks County Court of Common Pleas. It helps the Court establish and enforce Court Orders for child support and spousal support.
Blair County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Blair County.
Bradford County Domestic Relations Office
Information on domestic relations procedures in Bradford County.
Bucks County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Bucks County.
Butler County Family Court: Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Butler County.
Butler County Family Court: Establishing Paternity
Information on how to establish the paternity of a child in Butler County. In Pennsylvania, when a child is born to a woman who is unmarried, there is no legal relationship between the father and the child. The father of a child born to an unmarried woman is not recognized as the father unless paternity is legally established.
Cambria County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Cambria County. The Domestic Relations Section of the Court of Common Pleas of Cambria County is responsible for all matters involving the establishment of paternity for children born outside of marriage and in establishing and enforcing financial and medical support for minor children and, if appropriate, dependent spouses.
Carbon County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Carbon County.
Carbon Court Self Service Center - Forms
Download forms and information from the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas
Centre County: Domestic Relations Section
The Domestic Relations Section is a Court-appointed office of Centre County Government under the Centre County Court of Common Pleas. The office serves as the Court's child support enforcement agency.
Chester County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Chester County. The Chester County DRS helps families secure the financial support children and dependents need.
Clearfield County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Clearfield County. The Clearfield County Domestic Relations Office is responsible for working with families to establish and enforce support obligations for children and spouses. Domestic Relations is part of the Clearfield County Court of Common Pleas. It helps the Court establish and enforce Court Orders for child support and spousal support.
Clinton County Domestic Relations
The Clinton County Domestic Relations Section, a branch of the Court of Common Pleas, which provides a variety of services in the support of the children of Clinton County. The office offers services necessary to establish and resolve paternity issues. Child support matters are filed through this office. The Domestic Relations Office is responsible for the establishment and enforcement of child support orders; however, the office does not deal with custody or divorce matters.
Crawford County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Crawford County. The Domestic Relations Section is an office of the Court of Common Pleas assigned with the responsibility to enforce the legal duty of parent(s) to provide financial support for their child(ren) and/or spouse. Property settlements, visitation, and custody are not functions of this office.
Cumberland County Domestic Relations
Information on the Cumberland County Domestic Relations Office. The Domestic Relations Office establishes and enforces child support orders and establishes civil paternity cases, spousal support orders, and APL (alimony pendente lite) orders.
Dauphin County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Dauphin County. The Dauphin County Domestic Relations web site is not a substitute for the Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement System(PACSES) website, but provides useful Dauphin County specific items such as: county-specific forms and instructions, client handbook, bench warrant list, and links to support guidelines along with other child support related information.
Dauphin County: Navigating the Child Support Process
Information and instructional videos from the Dauphin County Self Help Center on navigating the child support process in Dauphin County.
Delaware County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Delaware County.
Elk County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Elk County. The Elk County Domestic Relations Section (D.R.S.) is a court office responsible for the location of absent parents and the establishment of paternity, child, and spousal support obligations. It is also responsible for the enforcement of those obligations which are established at the D.R.S.
Erie County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Erie County. The Domestic Relations Section is the branch of the Court designated to handle the establishment and enforcement of Court Orders relating to paternity, child support and spousal support. These services are controlled by state and federal rules and regulations, which are strictly applied to all cases
Fayette County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Fayette County. The Domestic Relations Office is a division of the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas. The Domestic Relations Office is primarily responsible for working with families to establish paternity and to establish and enforce support orders.
Forest County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Forest County. The Domestic Relations Office handles matters pertaining to child support, spousal support and alimony pendente lite. Contact the office for assistance in such matters. The office in Warren serves both Warren and Forest Counties.
Franklin County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Franklin County. Franklin County’s Domestic Relations Section is responsible for establishing and enforcing child support and spousal support orders, establishing paternity, and locating absent parents to ensure support obligations are met.
Fulton County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations/support procedures in Fulton County. The Domestic Relations Section is the agency in Fulton County responsible for all matters involving the support of children and/or spouses. For more information, visit the PA Child Support Program Website.
Greene County Domestic Relations
Information on support/domestic relations procedures in Greene County.
Huntingdon County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Huntingdon County. The Domestic Relations Section (DRS) is a court appointed office of Huntingdon County Government under the Huntingdon County Court of Common Pleas. It serves as the court’s child support enforcement agency. The DRS prepares petitions for both child and spousal support orders, establishes support by the Rules of Civil Procedure, enforces support orders, establishes paternity for children born out-of-wedlock. Their services are available to anyone who has custody of a child with an absent parent or to any party seeking spousal support.
Indiana County Domestic Relations Section
Information on domestic relations and support procedures in Indiana County. The Indiana County Domestic Relations Section strives to ensure family self-sufficiency. Their goals are to ensure that children have the financial and medical support of both their parents; to foster responsible behavior towards children and to emphasize that children need both parents involved in their lives.
Jefferson County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Jefferson County.
Juniata County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations and support procedures in Juniata County. The Domestic Relations Section is a division of the Juniata County Branch of the Court of Common Pleas of the 41st Judicial District. Domestic Relations is responsible for establishing and enforcing orders for child support, spousal support, alimony, support for children in the Court Placement, and reimbursement to the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. Domestic Relations also assists in locating non-custodial parents and in establishing paternity.
Lackawanna County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Lackawanna County.
Lancaster County: Judge Henry S. Kenderdine Jr. Self Help Center
The Lancaster County Court Self Help Center opened in July, 2004. The main purpose of the Center is to provide one central location where self-represented litigants can obtain some of the information and forms that they may need to represent themselves in certain types of court actions.
Lancaster County - Office of Domestic Relations
Information on the Support process in Lancaster county. Domestic Relations (DRS) is the provider of child support services in Lancaster County under the federal child support program (Title IV-D). These services include (1) Enforcement of support orders - financial and medical provisions of support orders; (2) Filing services for child support, spousal support, and/or alimony pendente lite actions Paternity establishment and (3) Support order establishment and modification of existing support orders.
Lawrence County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations and support procedures in Lawrence County. Domestic Relations is part of the Family Court, which is a division of the Lawrence County Court of Common Pleas. Although it has other duties, the Domestic Relations Section mainly enters, modifies, and enforces orders for child support, spousal support, and alimony pendente lite, alimony and establishes paternity for children on support cases who were born out of wedlock.
Lebanon County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Lebanon County. It is the mission of the Lebanon County Domestic Relations Office to ensure families get the financial and medical support they need. This includes establishing parentage and processing requests for support.
Lehigh County Domestic Relations Section
Information on the services provided by the Domestic Relations Section.
Local Support and Domestic Relations Office Procedures
This webpage provides links to information on support collection and Domestic Relations Office procedures in various counties in Pennsylvania.
Locate Your Local Domestic Relations Office
This site allows you to locate the local domestic relations office in your county.
Luzerne County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Luzerne County.
Lycoming County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations/support procedures in Lycoming County.
Lycoming County Forms
On this page, you will find various Lycoming County Courts legal forms. These packets can also be found in the law library. The law library staff cannot provide legal advice, but they can assist in filling out the forms. Use the forms on this page at your own risk – as they may or may not be appropriate in your particular case. It is strongly recommended you seek legal advice and obtain the services of an attorney. Litigants representing themselves are held to the same standards as attorneys admitted to the bar of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Representing yourself does not exempt you from understanding and following state-wide and local rules of court.
McKean County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations/support procedures in McKean County.
Mercer County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations/support procedures in Mercer County.
Monroe County: Domestic Relations
The Domestic Relations Section (DRS) is a court office that helps parents apply for child support services, establish paternity and support orders, and enforce support orders. Child support is money a noncustodial parent pays to a custodial parent to help provide food, clothing and other necessary items for their child. Child support may include medical support, payment of uncovered medical bills and contributions to child care costs. The DRS can also help if the noncustodial parent lives in another Pennsylvania county, a different state, or another country.
Montgomery County Domestic Relations
The Montgomery County Domestic Relations Office establishes paternity and determines and enforces child and spousal support orders in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations, statutes, and rules of civil procedure.
Montour County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Montour County. The Columbia/Montour Domestic Relations Office is a part of the 26th Judicial District, Court of Common Pleas. The Domestic Relations Office assists the Court in establishing and enforcing Court Orders for child and spousal support throughout Columbia and Montour Counties.
Northampton County Domestic Relations
The Domestic Relations Section is responsible for the establishment of Support Orders on behalf of children and spouses, establishment of paternity, location of absent obligors, and the enforcement of monetary Orders for Support and medical support. The Domestic Relations Section also establishes and enforces Orders for Alimony Pendente Lite and enforces alimony Orders.
PA Courts Public Access Policy - Filing Requirements in the Courts (Video)
Effective on January 6, 2018, a new Public Access Policy went into effect in Pennsylvania Courts. This policy imposes requirements on anyone filing court documents in the trial and appellate courts to safeguard information in the documents they file. The Pennsylvania Courts have released a series of videos that explain the judiciary’s new policy for protecting confidential information and the required steps you must take to protect that information when filing documents in the courts. This video provides an overview of the new requirements. Follow the link to view the entire series of videos.
Pennsylvania Child Support Handbook
This handbook from the Bureau of Child Support Enforcement provides information about the operation of the child support system in Pennsylvania. Child support is money a parent pays to help provide food, clothing and other things for his or her child. Child support may include medical support, payment of uncovered medical bills and contributions to childcare costs. The Department of Human Services, Bureau of Child Support Enforcement (BCSE) administers the Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement Program. BCSE manages the program’s funding and ensures that child support orders in Pennsylvania follow federal and state child support regulations.
Pennsylvania Child Support Program
Link to the Pennsylvania Child Support website. The site prvides is an easy way to access child support program information and case details or to seek support services online.
Perry County: Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Perry County.
Philadelphia County: Child Support in Philadelphia County
Information from the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia on filing for child support in Philadelphia County.
Philadelphia County: Complaint for Support
Form with instructions from the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia that may be used in Support proceeding taking place in Philadelphia courts. You may use this form if you want support for your children (child support) and/or if you want support from your husband (spousal support). You must file separate complaints against each father.
Philadelphia County: Court Forms
Forms from the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia. Forms are available for the various divisions of the Court by clicking through the listings on the page.
Philadelphia County: Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Philadelphia County.
Philadelphia County: Domestic Relations Information Sheet
Form from the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia for use in domestic relations proceedings taking place in Philadelphia courts.
Philadelphia County: Exceptions to Recommendation of Support Hearing Master
Form with instructions from the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia that may be used in Support proceeding taking place in Philadelphia courts. If you do not agree with the Recommendation of the Support Hearing Officer, you can file Exceptions. THE PROPOSED ORDER WILL BE IN EFFECT UNTIL YOUR EXCEPTIONS ARE DECIDED. Exceptions MUST be filed by the date given on the Proposed Order. If you do not object by filing Exceptions, the Master’s Recommendation will become a final court order.
Philadelphia County: Family Law Forms - Philadelphia Bar Association
Here you will find links to printable documents relating to various areas of Family Law. These forms and instructions were prepared under the sponsorship of the Family Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association.
Philadelphia County: Motion Cover Sheet
Form with instructions from the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia that may be used in family law proceedings taking place in Philadelphia courts. This is a cover sheet required by the Court when filing motions in court.
Philadelphia County: Petition to Modify (Change) an Existing Support Order
Form with instructions from the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia that may be used in Support proceeding taking place in Philadelphia courts. You may use this form if you are party to a current support order in Philadelphia County and you want to ask for an increase, a decrease, or to stop the order altogether.
Philadelphia County: Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (IFP)
Form with instructions from the Family Division of the Court of Common Please of Philadelphia that may be used in custody proceedings taking place in Philadelphia courts. A Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (IFP) may be filed if you do not have the necessary funds required for filing a complaint or petition for custody or support. (2015)
Philadelphia County (Support): Support Forms
Forms from the Philadelphia Bar Association's Family Law Section that may be used in Support proceeding taking place in Philadelphia courts.
Potter County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Potter County.
Schuylkill County: Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Schuylkill county.
Schuylkill County: Prothonotary Forms
Forms for use in the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas.
Serving a Defendant (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, explains how to serve an opposing party (defendant) in a lawsuit with legal papers related to the lawsuit. Parties must be notified about court proceedings against them and provided with copies of legal papers filed in the proceedings. This video explains the proper and required legal way to notify them of the proceedings (2020). Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
Somerset County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Somerset County.
Sullivan County: Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Sullivan County.
Butler County Family Court: Establishing Paternity
Information on how to establish the paternity of a child in Butler County. In Pennsylvania, when a child is born to a woman who is unmarried, there is no legal relationship between the father and the child. The father of a child born to an unmarried woman is not recognized as the father unless paternity is legally established.
Child Support
Child Support Chapter of the Family Law Handbook published by North Penn Legal Services dealing with Child Support. (2026)
Child Support - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions from the Pennsylvania Child Support Program regarding child support in Pennsylvania.
Establish Paternity
In Pennsylvania, when a child is born to a woman who is not married to anyone at the time of birth, there is no legal relationship between the father and the child. Important information about establishing paternity in Pennsylvania is available on this page and on the website referenced on the page.
Paternity
This is the Paternity Chapter of the Family Law Handbook published by North Penn Legal Services. In Pennsylvania, when a child is born to a woman who is unmarried, there is no legal relationship between the father and the child. A father of a child born to an unmarried woman is not the father for legal purposes. Therefore, paternity is the way to establish legal fatherhood. (2026)
Paternity of Children in Philadelphia County When Parents Are Not Married
Information from the Family Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association, provided by the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, on how paternity determinations are conducted in Philadelphia county. [PDF]
Pennsylvania Child Support Handbook
This handbook from the Bureau of Child Support Enforcement provides information about the operation of the child support system in Pennsylvania. Child support is money a parent pays to help provide food, clothing and other things for his or her child. Child support may include medical support, payment of uncovered medical bills and contributions to childcare costs. The Department of Human Services, Bureau of Child Support Enforcement (BCSE) administers the Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement Program. BCSE manages the program’s funding and ensures that child support orders in Pennsylvania follow federal and state child support regulations.
Child Support
This link will direct you to information on child support. Included is local contact information for court domestic relations resources in the Summit Legal Aid service area which includes Armstrong, Cambria, Clarion, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Somerset, Washington, & Westmoreland Counties.
Child Support
Child Support Chapter of the Family Law Handbook published by North Penn Legal Services dealing with Child Support. (2026)
Child Support Estimator
This tool can be used to estimate the amount of your monthly child support amount. This estimator does not provide results for alimony pendente lite or spousal support, or for combined child support and spousal support/alimony pendente lite orders. It is only an estimator. Other factors may affect the monthly amount.
Child Support - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions from the Pennsylvania Child Support Program regarding child support in Pennsylvania.
Child Support in Philadelphia
Brochure from the Family Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association explaining Child Support and the process to get it in Philadelphia.
Child Support Law Overview (NW Pennsylvania)
Information from Northwestern Legal Services on child support for northwestern Pennsylvania residents, including how to get or change an order, and how the support is calculated. (2018)
Child Support Terms
This is a short glossary of child support terms from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services for your reference. This glossary is not meant to be a comprehensive dictionary; it's aim is to foster a better understanding of child support terminology by the public.
Domestic Violence and TANF Support Requirements
Information from the Family Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association about the requirement that families who receive cash assistance from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) apply for child or spousal support unless excused for good cause. [PDF] (December 2021)
Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement
Link to the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This is the federal agency that oversees the national child support program.
Local Support and Domestic Relations Office Procedures
This webpage provides links to information on support collection and Domestic Relations Office procedures in various counties in Pennsylvania.
Locate Your Local Domestic Relations Office
This site allows you to locate the local domestic relations office in your county.
Medical/Health Care in Support Orders (Pennsylvania Child Support Handbook)
Information from the Pennsylvania Child Support Handbook on how to obtain health care coverage for children from a non-custodial parent in a support order. This appears on page 10 of the Handbook (Page 12 of PDF document)
Pennsylvania Child Support Handbook
This handbook from the Bureau of Child Support Enforcement provides information about the operation of the child support system in Pennsylvania. Child support is money a parent pays to help provide food, clothing and other things for his or her child. Child support may include medical support, payment of uncovered medical bills and contributions to childcare costs. The Department of Human Services, Bureau of Child Support Enforcement (BCSE) administers the Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement Program. BCSE manages the program’s funding and ensures that child support orders in Pennsylvania follow federal and state child support regulations.
Pennsylvania Child Support Payment Card - Frequently Asked Questions
The Pennsylvania Child Support Program offers answers to frequently asked questions about the Pennsylvania Child Support Payment Card program, the Way2Go Card program.
Pennsylvania Child Support Program
Link to the Pennsylvania Child Support website. The site prvides is an easy way to access child support program information and case details or to seek support services online.
Pennsylvania EPPICard/Way2Go Card
In August, 2004, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania implemented the new EPPICard™ program where custodial parents could access their payments online using a MasterCard® debit card. The EPPICard program has been moved to the Way2Go Card program as the new supplier of a MasterCard® debit card. Payments are automatically loaded onto the card and you can go to millions of MasterCard ATM and retailer locations in Pennsylvania and around the world to make purchases or receive cash.
Philadelphia County (Support): Support Forms
Forms from the Philadelphia Bar Association's Family Law Section that may be used in Support proceeding taking place in Philadelphia courts.
Pennsylvania Child Support Program
Link to the Pennsylvania Child Support website. The site prvides is an easy way to access child support program information and case details or to seek support services online.
Pennsylvania EPPICard/Way2Go Card
In August, 2004, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania implemented the new EPPICard™ program where custodial parents could access their payments online using a MasterCard® debit card. The EPPICard program has been moved to the Way2Go Card program as the new supplier of a MasterCard® debit card. Payments are automatically loaded onto the card and you can go to millions of MasterCard ATM and retailer locations in Pennsylvania and around the world to make purchases or receive cash.
Self Help Forms and Information
For local forms and information for your county, click the category listing that apply to your case to see the SELF-HELP FORMS AND INFORMATION. Counties are listed alphabetically after some generally applicable forms or you can set your location on the page to see only forms applicable for that location.
Serving a Defendant (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, explains how to serve an opposing party (defendant) in a lawsuit with legal papers related to the lawsuit. Parties must be notified about court proceedings against them and provided with copies of legal papers filed in the proceedings. This video explains the proper and required legal way to notify them of the proceedings (2020). Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
Allegheny County: Outline of Basic PA Family Law Procedure in Allegheny County
Outline of family law procedure in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Topics include Mutual Consent Divorce, Custody, Partial Custody and Visitation, and Support.
Allegheny County Support Tips
Information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association on pursuing Child Support in Allegheny County, PA
Child Support
This link will direct you to information on child support. Included is local contact information for court domestic relations resources in the Summit Legal Aid service area which includes Armstrong, Cambria, Clarion, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Somerset, Washington, & Westmoreland Counties.
Child Support
Child Support Chapter of the Family Law Handbook published by North Penn Legal Services dealing with Child Support. (2026)
Child Support Law Overview (NW Pennsylvania)
Information from Northwestern Legal Services on child support for northwestern Pennsylvania residents, including how to get or change an order, and how the support is calculated. (2018)
Family Law Handbook
This handbook provides useful information about common Family Law issues. If you need Family Law help, this handbook has good suggestions about some of the most common areas of Family Law. This handbook also gives answers to commonly asked questions. (2026)
Paternity
This is the Paternity Chapter of the Family Law Handbook published by North Penn Legal Services. In Pennsylvania, when a child is born to a woman who is unmarried, there is no legal relationship between the father and the child. A father of a child born to an unmarried woman is not the father for legal purposes. Therefore, paternity is the way to establish legal fatherhood. (2026)
Serving a Defendant (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, explains how to serve an opposing party (defendant) in a lawsuit with legal papers related to the lawsuit. Parties must be notified about court proceedings against them and provided with copies of legal papers filed in the proceedings. This video explains the proper and required legal way to notify them of the proceedings (2020). Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
Child Support in Philadelphia
Brochure from the Family Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association explaining Child Support and the process to get it in Philadelphia.
Domestic Violence and TANF Support Requirements
Information from the Family Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association about the requirement that families who receive cash assistance from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) apply for child or spousal support unless excused for good cause. [PDF] (December 2021)
Paternity of Children in Philadelphia County When Parents Are Not Married
Information from the Family Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association, provided by the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, on how paternity determinations are conducted in Philadelphia county. [PDF]
Philadelphia County: Child Support in Philadelphia County
Information from the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia on filing for child support in Philadelphia County.
Philadelphia County: Family Law Forms - Philadelphia Bar Association
Here you will find links to printable documents relating to various areas of Family Law. These forms and instructions were prepared under the sponsorship of the Family Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association.
Philadelphia County (Support): Support Forms
Forms from the Philadelphia Bar Association's Family Law Section that may be used in Support proceeding taking place in Philadelphia courts.
Child Support Estimator
This tool can be used to estimate the amount of your monthly child support amount. This estimator does not provide results for alimony pendente lite or spousal support, or for combined child support and spousal support/alimony pendente lite orders. It is only an estimator. Other factors may affect the monthly amount.
Child Support - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions from the Pennsylvania Child Support Program regarding child support in Pennsylvania.
Child Support Terms
This is a short glossary of child support terms from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services for your reference. This glossary is not meant to be a comprehensive dictionary; it's aim is to foster a better understanding of child support terminology by the public.
Establish Paternity
In Pennsylvania, when a child is born to a woman who is not married to anyone at the time of birth, there is no legal relationship between the father and the child. Important information about establishing paternity in Pennsylvania is available on this page and on the website referenced on the page.
Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement
Link to the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This is the federal agency that oversees the national child support program.
Medical/Health Care in Support Orders (Pennsylvania Child Support Handbook)
Information from the Pennsylvania Child Support Handbook on how to obtain health care coverage for children from a non-custodial parent in a support order. This appears on page 10 of the Handbook (Page 12 of PDF document)
Mifflin County: Domestic Relations Client Handbook
This manual explains how the Domestic Relations Section of the Family Court of Mifflin County works. Although it has other duties, the Domestic Relations Section is mainly responsible for working with families to establish and collect support for children and spouses.
PA Courts Public Access Policy - Filing Requirements in the Courts (Video)
Effective on January 6, 2018, a new Public Access Policy went into effect in Pennsylvania Courts. This policy imposes requirements on anyone filing court documents in the trial and appellate courts to safeguard information in the documents they file. The Pennsylvania Courts have released a series of videos that explain the judiciary’s new policy for protecting confidential information and the required steps you must take to protect that information when filing documents in the courts. This video provides an overview of the new requirements. Follow the link to view the entire series of videos.
Pennsylvania Child Support Handbook
This handbook from the Bureau of Child Support Enforcement provides information about the operation of the child support system in Pennsylvania. Child support is money a parent pays to help provide food, clothing and other things for his or her child. Child support may include medical support, payment of uncovered medical bills and contributions to childcare costs. The Department of Human Services, Bureau of Child Support Enforcement (BCSE) administers the Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement Program. BCSE manages the program’s funding and ensures that child support orders in Pennsylvania follow federal and state child support regulations.
Pennsylvania Child Support Payment Card - Frequently Asked Questions
The Pennsylvania Child Support Program offers answers to frequently asked questions about the Pennsylvania Child Support Payment Card program, the Way2Go Card program.
Pennsylvania Child Support Program
Link to the Pennsylvania Child Support website. The site prvides is an easy way to access child support program information and case details or to seek support services online.
Child Care Aware - Fee Assistance / Respite
Child Care Aware® of America is proud to partner with the United States Military and Department of Defense to serve and support their families through the Fee Assistance and Respite Child Care Programs. Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA) is the only national organization that supports every part of the child care system. Together with an on-the-ground network of Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) organizations working in states and communities, CCAoA advances high-quality, affordable child care and turns a patchwork of resources into a system that works for everyone.
Self Help Forms and Information
For local forms and information for your county, click the category listing that apply to your case to see the SELF-HELP FORMS AND INFORMATION. Counties are listed alphabetically after some generally applicable forms or you can set your location on the page to see only forms applicable for that location.
Adams County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Adams County.
Adams County Self Help Center: Information for Representing Yourself in Court
Adams County Court of Common Pleas Self-Help Center. The Court, in conjunction with the Adams County Bar Association and its committees, has provided materials to help individuals represent themselves, pro se, in some legal proceedings. Included are materials on procedures in Family Law, Civil, Juvenile and Orphans Court.
Allegheny County Court Family Division - Frequently Asked Questions
The Family Division of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas offers answers to many Frequently Asked Questions in the area of Custody; Dependency & Related Services; Divorce; Juvenile Delinquency and Probation; Paternity; Protection From Abuse (PFA); and Support.
Allegheny County: Outline of Basic PA Family Law Procedure in Allegheny County
Outline of family law procedure in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Topics include Mutual Consent Divorce, Custody, Partial Custody and Visitation, and Support.
Allegheny County Support Tips
Information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association on pursuing Child Support in Allegheny County, PA
Armstrong County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Armstrong County.
Beaver County Court Forms
Forms available through the Beaver County Law Library that may be used in Beaver county.
Beaver County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Beaver County.
Bedford County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Bedford County.
Berks County: Domestic Relations Section of the Berks County Court of Common Pleas
Domestic Relations is a part of the Berks County Court of Common Pleas. It helps the Court establish and enforce Court Orders for child support and spousal support.
Blair County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Blair County.
Bradford County Domestic Relations Office
Information on domestic relations procedures in Bradford County.
Bucks County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Bucks County.
Butler County Family Court: Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Butler County.
Butler County Family Court: Establishing Paternity
Information on how to establish the paternity of a child in Butler County. In Pennsylvania, when a child is born to a woman who is unmarried, there is no legal relationship between the father and the child. The father of a child born to an unmarried woman is not recognized as the father unless paternity is legally established.
Cambria County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Cambria County. The Domestic Relations Section of the Court of Common Pleas of Cambria County is responsible for all matters involving the establishment of paternity for children born outside of marriage and in establishing and enforcing financial and medical support for minor children and, if appropriate, dependent spouses.
Carbon County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Carbon County.
Carbon Court Self Service Center - Forms
Download forms and information from the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas
Centre County: Domestic Relations Section
The Domestic Relations Section is a Court-appointed office of Centre County Government under the Centre County Court of Common Pleas. The office serves as the Court's child support enforcement agency.
Chester County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Chester County. The Chester County DRS helps families secure the financial support children and dependents need.
Clearfield County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Clearfield County. The Clearfield County Domestic Relations Office is responsible for working with families to establish and enforce support obligations for children and spouses. Domestic Relations is part of the Clearfield County Court of Common Pleas. It helps the Court establish and enforce Court Orders for child support and spousal support.
Clinton County Domestic Relations
The Clinton County Domestic Relations Section, a branch of the Court of Common Pleas, which provides a variety of services in the support of the children of Clinton County. The office offers services necessary to establish and resolve paternity issues. Child support matters are filed through this office. The Domestic Relations Office is responsible for the establishment and enforcement of child support orders; however, the office does not deal with custody or divorce matters.
Columbia County Domestic Relations Office
Information on domestic relations procedures in Columbia County. The Columbia County Domestic Relations Office is a part of the Columbia County Court of Common Pleas. The Domestic Relations Office assists the Court in establishing and enforcing Court Orders for child and spousal support.
Crawford County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Crawford County. The Domestic Relations Section is an office of the Court of Common Pleas assigned with the responsibility to enforce the legal duty of parent(s) to provide financial support for their child(ren) and/or spouse. Property settlements, visitation, and custody are not functions of this office.
Cumberland County Domestic Relations
Information on the Cumberland County Domestic Relations Office. The Domestic Relations Office establishes and enforces child support orders and establishes civil paternity cases, spousal support orders, and APL (alimony pendente lite) orders.
Dauphin County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Dauphin County. The Dauphin County Domestic Relations web site is not a substitute for the Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement System(PACSES) website, but provides useful Dauphin County specific items such as: county-specific forms and instructions, client handbook, bench warrant list, and links to support guidelines along with other child support related information.
Dauphin County: Navigating the Child Support Process
Information and instructional videos from the Dauphin County Self Help Center on navigating the child support process in Dauphin County.
Dauphin County Self Help Center
Information on the Dauphin County Pro Se Litigant Self Help Center. The Self-Help Center provides forms and instructions for various types of proceedings. The Self-Help Center was established in 2005 and is a collaborate effort between the Dauphin County Court and the Dauphin County Bar Association so that citizens of Dauphin County had access to certain forms and instructions.
Delaware County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Delaware County.
Elk County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Elk County. The Elk County Domestic Relations Section (D.R.S.) is a court office responsible for the location of absent parents and the establishment of paternity, child, and spousal support obligations. It is also responsible for the enforcement of those obligations which are established at the D.R.S.
Erie County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Erie County. The Domestic Relations Section is the branch of the Court designated to handle the establishment and enforcement of Court Orders relating to paternity, child support and spousal support. These services are controlled by state and federal rules and regulations, which are strictly applied to all cases
Fayette County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Fayette County. The Domestic Relations Office is a division of the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas. The Domestic Relations Office is primarily responsible for working with families to establish paternity and to establish and enforce support orders.
Forest County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Forest County. The Domestic Relations Office handles matters pertaining to child support, spousal support and alimony pendente lite. Contact the office for assistance in such matters. The office in Warren serves both Warren and Forest Counties.
Franklin County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Franklin County. Franklin County’s Domestic Relations Section is responsible for establishing and enforcing child support and spousal support orders, establishing paternity, and locating absent parents to ensure support obligations are met.
Fulton County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations/support procedures in Fulton County. The Domestic Relations Section is the agency in Fulton County responsible for all matters involving the support of children and/or spouses. For more information, visit the PA Child Support Program Website.
Locate Your Local Domestic Relations Office
This site allows you to locate the local domestic relations office in your county.
Serving a Defendant (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, explains how to serve an opposing party (defendant) in a lawsuit with legal papers related to the lawsuit. Parties must be notified about court proceedings against them and provided with copies of legal papers filed in the proceedings. This video explains the proper and required legal way to notify them of the proceedings (2020). Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
Greene County Domestic Relations
Information on support/domestic relations procedures in Greene County.
Huntingdon County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Huntingdon County. The Domestic Relations Section (DRS) is a court appointed office of Huntingdon County Government under the Huntingdon County Court of Common Pleas. It serves as the court’s child support enforcement agency. The DRS prepares petitions for both child and spousal support orders, establishes support by the Rules of Civil Procedure, enforces support orders, establishes paternity for children born out-of-wedlock. Their services are available to anyone who has custody of a child with an absent parent or to any party seeking spousal support.
Indiana County Domestic Relations Section
Information on domestic relations and support procedures in Indiana County. The Indiana County Domestic Relations Section strives to ensure family self-sufficiency. Their goals are to ensure that children have the financial and medical support of both their parents; to foster responsible behavior towards children and to emphasize that children need both parents involved in their lives.
Jefferson County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Jefferson County.
Juniata County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations and support procedures in Juniata County. The Domestic Relations Section is a division of the Juniata County Branch of the Court of Common Pleas of the 41st Judicial District. Domestic Relations is responsible for establishing and enforcing orders for child support, spousal support, alimony, support for children in the Court Placement, and reimbursement to the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. Domestic Relations also assists in locating non-custodial parents and in establishing paternity.
Lackawanna County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Lackawanna County.
Lancaster County: Judge Henry S. Kenderdine Jr. Self Help Center
The Lancaster County Court Self Help Center opened in July, 2004. The main purpose of the Center is to provide one central location where self-represented litigants can obtain some of the information and forms that they may need to represent themselves in certain types of court actions.
Lancaster County - Office of Domestic Relations
Information on the Support process in Lancaster county. Domestic Relations (DRS) is the provider of child support services in Lancaster County under the federal child support program (Title IV-D). These services include (1) Enforcement of support orders - financial and medical provisions of support orders; (2) Filing services for child support, spousal support, and/or alimony pendente lite actions Paternity establishment and (3) Support order establishment and modification of existing support orders.
Lawrence County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations and support procedures in Lawrence County. Domestic Relations is part of the Family Court, which is a division of the Lawrence County Court of Common Pleas. Although it has other duties, the Domestic Relations Section mainly enters, modifies, and enforces orders for child support, spousal support, and alimony pendente lite, alimony and establishes paternity for children on support cases who were born out of wedlock.
Lebanon County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Lebanon County. It is the mission of the Lebanon County Domestic Relations Office to ensure families get the financial and medical support they need. This includes establishing parentage and processing requests for support.
Lehigh County Domestic Relations Section
Information on the services provided by the Domestic Relations Section.
Locate Your Local Domestic Relations Office
This site allows you to locate the local domestic relations office in your county.
Luzerne County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Luzerne County.
Lycoming County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations/support procedures in Lycoming County.
Lycoming County Forms
On this page, you will find various Lycoming County Courts legal forms. These packets can also be found in the law library. The law library staff cannot provide legal advice, but they can assist in filling out the forms. Use the forms on this page at your own risk – as they may or may not be appropriate in your particular case. It is strongly recommended you seek legal advice and obtain the services of an attorney. Litigants representing themselves are held to the same standards as attorneys admitted to the bar of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Representing yourself does not exempt you from understanding and following state-wide and local rules of court.
McKean County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations/support procedures in McKean County.
Mercer County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations/support procedures in Mercer County.
Mifflin County: Domestic Relations Client Handbook
This manual explains how the Domestic Relations Section of the Family Court of Mifflin County works. Although it has other duties, the Domestic Relations Section is mainly responsible for working with families to establish and collect support for children and spouses.
Monroe County: Domestic Relations
The Domestic Relations Section (DRS) is a court office that helps parents apply for child support services, establish paternity and support orders, and enforce support orders. Child support is money a noncustodial parent pays to a custodial parent to help provide food, clothing and other necessary items for their child. Child support may include medical support, payment of uncovered medical bills and contributions to child care costs. The DRS can also help if the noncustodial parent lives in another Pennsylvania county, a different state, or another country.
Montgomery County Domestic Relations
The Montgomery County Domestic Relations Office establishes paternity and determines and enforces child and spousal support orders in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations, statutes, and rules of civil procedure.
Montour County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Montour County. The Columbia/Montour Domestic Relations Office is a part of the 26th Judicial District, Court of Common Pleas. The Domestic Relations Office assists the Court in establishing and enforcing Court Orders for child and spousal support throughout Columbia and Montour Counties.
Northampton County Domestic Relations
The Domestic Relations Section is responsible for the establishment of Support Orders on behalf of children and spouses, establishment of paternity, location of absent obligors, and the enforcement of monetary Orders for Support and medical support. The Domestic Relations Section also establishes and enforces Orders for Alimony Pendente Lite and enforces alimony Orders.
Serving a Defendant (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, explains how to serve an opposing party (defendant) in a lawsuit with legal papers related to the lawsuit. Parties must be notified about court proceedings against them and provided with copies of legal papers filed in the proceedings. This video explains the proper and required legal way to notify them of the proceedings (2020). Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
Locate Your Local Domestic Relations Office
This site allows you to locate the local domestic relations office in your county.
Perry County: Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Perry County.
Philadelphia County: Child Support in Philadelphia County
Information from the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia on filing for child support in Philadelphia County.
Philadelphia County: Complaint for Support
Form with instructions from the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia that may be used in Support proceeding taking place in Philadelphia courts. You may use this form if you want support for your children (child support) and/or if you want support from your husband (spousal support). You must file separate complaints against each father.
Philadelphia County: Court Forms
Forms from the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia. Forms are available for the various divisions of the Court by clicking through the listings on the page.
Philadelphia County: Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Philadelphia County.
Philadelphia County: Domestic Relations Information Sheet
Form from the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia for use in domestic relations proceedings taking place in Philadelphia courts.
Philadelphia County: Exceptions to Recommendation of Support Hearing Master
Form with instructions from the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia that may be used in Support proceeding taking place in Philadelphia courts. If you do not agree with the Recommendation of the Support Hearing Officer, you can file Exceptions. THE PROPOSED ORDER WILL BE IN EFFECT UNTIL YOUR EXCEPTIONS ARE DECIDED. Exceptions MUST be filed by the date given on the Proposed Order. If you do not object by filing Exceptions, the Master’s Recommendation will become a final court order.
Philadelphia County: Family Law Forms - Philadelphia Bar Association
Here you will find links to printable documents relating to various areas of Family Law. These forms and instructions were prepared under the sponsorship of the Family Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association.
Philadelphia County: Motion Cover Sheet
Form with instructions from the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia that may be used in family law proceedings taking place in Philadelphia courts. This is a cover sheet required by the Court when filing motions in court.
Philadelphia County: Petition to Modify (Change) an Existing Support Order
Form with instructions from the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia that may be used in Support proceeding taking place in Philadelphia courts. You may use this form if you are party to a current support order in Philadelphia County and you want to ask for an increase, a decrease, or to stop the order altogether.
Philadelphia County: Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (IFP)
Form with instructions from the Family Division of the Court of Common Please of Philadelphia that may be used in custody proceedings taking place in Philadelphia courts. A Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (IFP) may be filed if you do not have the necessary funds required for filing a complaint or petition for custody or support. (2015)
Philadelphia County (Support): Support Forms
Forms from the Philadelphia Bar Association's Family Law Section that may be used in Support proceeding taking place in Philadelphia courts.
Potter County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Potter County.
Locate Your Local Domestic Relations Office
This site allows you to locate the local domestic relations office in your county.
Schuylkill County: Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Schuylkill county.
Schuylkill County: Prothonotary Forms
Forms for use in the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas.
Serving a Defendant (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, explains how to serve an opposing party (defendant) in a lawsuit with legal papers related to the lawsuit. Parties must be notified about court proceedings against them and provided with copies of legal papers filed in the proceedings. This video explains the proper and required legal way to notify them of the proceedings (2020). Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
Somerset County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Somerset County.
Sullivan County: Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Sullivan County.
