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 in Pennsylvania
This classroom provides information on Child Support law in Pennsylvania and provides information on how to file a complaint for child support, a petition for modification of child support and a petition for contempt of child support. A video explaining what to expect at your child support conference is also provided.
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.
PA Courts Public Access Policy - Filing Requirements in the Courts (Video)
Effective on January 6, 2018, a new Public Access Policy is in 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 this 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.
Local Domestic Relations Offices
This resource from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services allows you to find the location of your local domestic relations office and contact that office.
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.
Pennsylvania Child Support Handbook
The Child Support Handbook is an informational resource for both custodial and noncustodial parents regarding Pennsylvania's Child Support Program. [PDF]
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.
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 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.
Cambria County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Cambria County.
Carbon County: Self Service Center
Forms and information on the various services offered in Carbon County from the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas.
Chester County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Chester County.
Clearfield County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Clearfield County.
Clinton County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Clinton County.
Columbia County Domestic Relations
Information about the Columbia County Domestic Relations Office, which 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.
Cumberland County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Cumberland County.
Dauphin County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Dauphin County.
Dauphin County: Navigating the Child Support Process
Information and instructional videos from the Dauphin County Self Help Center on navigating the child support process.
Delaware County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Delaware County.
Fayette County Domestic Relations
Information on support porcedures in Fayette County.
Franklin County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Franklin County.
Fulton County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations/support procedures in Fulton County.
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.
Indiana County Government - Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Indiana County.
Jefferson County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Jefferson County.
Juniata County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Juniata County.
Juniata County: Forms and Applications
Forms and applications for use in Juniata County.
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.
Lawrence County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Lawrence County.
Lebanon County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Lebanon County.
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 and are provided one per filing. The law library staff cannot provide legal advice but they can assist in filling out the forms. You can stop in during regular operating hours or make an appointment.
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.
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.
Perry County: Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Perry County.
Philadelphia County: Affidavit of Service
Form from the Family Division of the Court of Common Please of Philadelphia that may be used in family law proceedings taking place in Philadelphia courts.
Philadelphia County: Complaint for Support
Form with instructions from the Philadelphia Bar Association's Family Law Section that may be used in Support proceeding taking place in Phildelphia courts.
Philadelphia County: Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Philadelphia County.
Philadelphia County: Domestic Relations Information Sheet
Form from the Philadelphia Bar Association's Family Law Section for use in domestic relations proceedings taking place in Phildelphia courts.
Philadelphia County: Exceptions to Recommendation of Support Master
Form with instructions from the Philadelphia Bar Association's Family Law Section that may be used in Support proceeding taking place in Phildelphia courts.
Philadelphia County: Motion Cover Sheet
Form from the Philadelphia Bar Association's Family Law Section for use in domestic relations proceedings taking place in Phildelphia courts.
Philadelphia County: Motion Cover Sheet
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.
Philadelphia County: Petition to Modify Existing Support Order (Philadlephia)
Form with instructions from the Philadelphia Bar Association's Family Law Section that may be used in Support proceeding taking place in Phildelphia courts.
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.
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.
Serving a Defendant (Video)
This video from 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.
Somerset County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Somerset County.
Sullivan County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Sullivan County.
Susquehanna County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Susquehanna County.
Tioga County Domestic Relations
The Domestic Relations Section is a Court-appointed office of the Tioga County Court of Common Pleas. The office is responsible for preparing Complaints and Petitions for the establishment and enforcement of child support, spousal support and/or alimony pendente lite orders for the Court. Domestic Relations will also establish paternity when necessary, locate missing parents and resolve medical insurance and expense issues between separated parents.
Union County - Domestic Relations Department
The Union County Domestic Relations Section is a division of the Union County Court of Common Pleas of the 17th Judicial District that is responsible for the establishment and enforcement of financial and medical support of spouses and/or children. Domestic Relations also assists in the establishment of paternity for children born outside of marriage. This office does NOT handle issues involving custody, partial custody or visitation. In addition, DRS employees are not permitted to provide the general public or clients with any information that might be construed as legal advice. If you have legal questions regarding paternity or support matters, you should contact an attorney.
Support Law in Pennsylvania
General information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association about support law in Pennsylvania.
Child Support
Child Support Chapter of the Family Law Handbook published by North Penn Legal Services. (2021)
Child Support - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions from the Pennsylvania Child Support Program regarding child support in Pennsylvania.
Child Support Handbook
This Handbook from the Office of Child Support Enforcement is a guide to help you get child support. You'll find the steps to follow to establish fatherhood, obtain a support order, and collect the support due, whether you are working with your state, local, or tribal child support program or your own attorney. [PDF]
Pennsylvania Child Support Handbook
The Child Support Handbook is an informational resource for both custodial and noncustodial parents regarding Pennsylvania's Child Support Program. [PDF]
Establishing Paternity for Your Child is in Your Hands
Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services on establishing paternity of children from the department's Child Support Handbook. [PDF]
Paternity
Paternity Chapter of the Family Law Handbook published by North Penn Legal Services. (2021)
Paternity of Children in Philadelphia County When Parents Are Not Married
Information from the Family Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association on paternity determinations, as conducted in Philadelphia county. [PDF]
Preparing for Your Support Conference - Pennsylvania (Video)
This video from Philadelphia Legal Assistance explains what happens at a child support conference, describes how child support is calculated, and helps you decide whether to ask for a hearing before a support master if you are unsatisfied with the result of a support conference. The video is part of Philadelphia Legal Assistance's "Make Your Case" video series.
Support Law in Pennsylvania
General information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association about support law in Pennsylvania.
Local Domestic Relations Offices
This resource from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services allows you to find the location of your local domestic relations office and contact that office.
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.
Child Support
Information from Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc. about child support obligations in Pennsylvania.
Child Support
Child Support Chapter of the Family Law Handbook published by North Penn Legal Services. (2021)
Child Support Law Overview (NW Pennsylvania)
Information on child support for northwestern Pennsylvania residents, how to get or change an order, and how the support is calculated.
Child Support
Fact sheet from the Youth Justice Project on issues relating to child support. [PDF]
Child Support Estimator
This tool can be used to estimate the amount of your monthly child support amount.
Child Support - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions from the Pennsylvania Child Support Program regarding child support in Pennsylvania.
Child Support Handbook
This Handbook from the Office of Child Support Enforcement is a guide to help you get child support. You'll find the steps to follow to establish fatherhood, obtain a support order, and collect the support due, whether you are working with your state, local, or tribal child support program or your own attorney. [PDF]
A Handbook for Military Families - Helping You with Child Support
This handbook from the Office of Child Support Enforcement provides information a military family might need regarding paternity establishment, child support, access/visitation, and child custody. (2013)
Child Support Terms
This is a short glossary of child support terms from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services for your reference.
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]
Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement
Link to the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Pennsylvania Child Support Handbook
The Child Support Handbook is an informational resource for both custodial and noncustodial parents regarding Pennsylvania's Child Support Program. [PDF]
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.
Support Withholding from Unemployment Compensation Benefits
A brochure from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry providing information on support withholding from Unemployment Compensation Benefits. [PDF] (June 2015)
Pennsylvania EPPICard
Information and resources relating to the EPPICard Program in Pennsylvania. Custodial parents can now access their payments online using a debit MasterCard ®. Your 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.
Pennsylvania EPPICard e-Disbursement Frequently Asked Questions
The Pennsylvania Child Support Program offers answers to frequently asked questions about the Pennsylvania EPPICard program.
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.
Medical (Health Care) Support in Support Orders
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.
Paying for Child Care
The state and federal governments have made funding available to assist qualifying low income families pay for their child care fees through the subsidized child care program. Find out if you are eligible.
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
Information and resources relating to the EPPICard Program in Pennsylvania. Custodial parents can now access their payments online using a debit MasterCard ®. Your 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.
Local Forms and Self-Help Information
For local forms and information for your county, click the title to see the SELF-HELP FORMS AND INFORMATION sub-topic. 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 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.
Preparing for Your Support Conference - Pennsylvania (Video)
This video from Philadelphia Legal Assistance explains what happens at a child support conference, describes how child support is calculated, and helps you decide whether to ask for a hearing before a support master if you are unsatisfied with the result of a support conference. The video is part of Philadelphia Legal Assistance's "Make Your Case" video series.
Support Law in Pennsylvania
General information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association about support law in Pennsylvania.
Child Support
Information from Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc. about child support obligations in Pennsylvania.
Child Support
Child Support Chapter of the Family Law Handbook published by North Penn Legal Services. (2021)
Child Support Law Overview (NW Pennsylvania)
Information on child support for northwestern Pennsylvania residents, how to get or change an order, and how the support is calculated.
Child Support
Fact sheet from the Youth Justice Project on issues relating to child support. [PDF]
Paternity
Paternity Chapter of the Family Law Handbook published by North Penn Legal Services. (2021)
Serving a Defendant (Video)
This video from 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.
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]
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.
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.
Paternity of Children in Philadelphia County When Parents Are Not Married
Information from the Family Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association on paternity determinations, as conducted in Philadelphia county. [PDF]
PA Courts Public Access Policy - Filing Requirements in the Courts (Video)
Effective on January 6, 2018, a new Public Access Policy is in 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 this 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.
Child Support Estimator
This tool can be used to estimate the amount of your monthly child support amount.
Child Support - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions from the Pennsylvania Child Support Program regarding child support in Pennsylvania.
Child Support Handbook
This Handbook from the Office of Child Support Enforcement is a guide to help you get child support. You'll find the steps to follow to establish fatherhood, obtain a support order, and collect the support due, whether you are working with your state, local, or tribal child support program or your own attorney. [PDF]
A Handbook for Military Families - Helping You with Child Support
This handbook from the Office of Child Support Enforcement provides information a military family might need regarding paternity establishment, child support, access/visitation, and child custody. (2013)
Child Support Terms
This is a short glossary of child support terms from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services for your reference.
Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement
Link to the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Pennsylvania Child Support Handbook
The Child Support Handbook is an informational resource for both custodial and noncustodial parents regarding Pennsylvania's Child Support Program. [PDF]
Support Withholding from Unemployment Compensation Benefits
A brochure from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry providing information on support withholding from Unemployment Compensation Benefits. [PDF] (June 2015)
Pennsylvania EPPICard e-Disbursement Frequently Asked Questions
The Pennsylvania Child Support Program offers answers to frequently asked questions about the Pennsylvania EPPICard program.
Establishing Paternity for Your Child is in Your Hands
Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services on establishing paternity of children from the department's Child Support Handbook. [PDF]
Medical (Health Care) Support in Support Orders
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.
Paying for Child Care
The state and federal governments have made funding available to assist qualifying low income families pay for their child care fees through the subsidized child care program. Find out if you are eligible.
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.
Local Forms and Self-Help Information
For local forms and information for your county, click the title to see the SELF-HELP FORMS AND INFORMATION sub-topic. 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.
Local Domestic Relations Offices
This resource from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services allows you to find the location of your local domestic relations office and contact that office.
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 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.
Cambria County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Cambria County.
Carbon County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Carbon County.
Carbon County: Self Service Center
Forms and information on the various services offered in Carbon County from the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas.
Chester County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Chester County.
Clearfield County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Clearfield County.
Clinton County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Clinton County.
Columbia County Domestic Relations
Information about the Columbia County Domestic Relations Office, which 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.
Cumberland County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Cumberland County.
Dauphin County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Dauphin County.
Dauphin County: Navigating the Child Support Process
Information and instructional videos from the Dauphin County Self Help Center on navigating the child support process.
Dauphin County Self Help Center
Information on the Dauphin County Pro Se Litigant Self Help Center where forms and instructions are available.
Delaware County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Delaware County.
Fayette County Domestic Relations
Information on support porcedures in Fayette County.
Franklin County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Franklin County.
Fulton County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations/support procedures in Fulton County.
Serving a Defendant (Video)
This video from 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.
Local Domestic Relations Offices
This resource from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services allows you to find the location of your local domestic relations office and contact that office.
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.
Indiana County Government - Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Indiana County.
Jefferson County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Jefferson County.
Juniata County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Juniata County.
Juniata County: Forms and Applications
Forms and applications for use in Juniata County.
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.
Lawrence County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Lawrence County.
Lebanon County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Lebanon County.
Lehigh County Domestic Relations Section
Information on the services provided by the Domestic Relations Section.
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 and are provided one per filing. The law library staff cannot provide legal advice but they can assist in filling out the forms. You can stop in during regular operating hours or make an appointment.
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.
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 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.
Local Domestic Relations Offices
This resource from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services allows you to find the location of your local domestic relations office and contact that office.
Perry County: Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Perry County.
Philadelphia County: Affidavit of Service
Form from the Family Division of the Court of Common Please of Philadelphia that may be used in family law proceedings taking place in Philadelphia courts.
Philadelphia County: Complaint for Support
Form with instructions from the Philadelphia Bar Association's Family Law Section that may be used in Support proceeding taking place in Phildelphia courts.
Philadelphia County (Custody): Domestic Relations Information Sheet
Form from the Family Division of the Court of Common Please of Philadelphia that may be used in domestic relations proceedings, including Child and Spousal Support, Divorce, Child Custody, and Domestic Violence. taking place in Philadelphia courts.
Philadelphia County: Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Philadelphia County.
Philadelphia County: Domestic Relations Information Sheet
Form from the Philadelphia Bar Association's Family Law Section for use in domestic relations proceedings taking place in Phildelphia courts.
Philadelphia County: Exceptions to Recommendation of Support Master
Form with instructions from the Philadelphia Bar Association's Family Law Section that may be used in Support proceeding taking place in Phildelphia courts.
Philadelphia County: Motion Cover Sheet
Form from the Philadelphia Bar Association's Family Law Section for use in domestic relations proceedings taking place in Phildelphia courts.
Philadelphia County: Motion Cover Sheet
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.
Philadelphia County: Petition to Modify Existing Support Order (Philadlephia)
Form with instructions from the Philadelphia Bar Association's Family Law Section that may be used in Support proceeding taking place in Phildelphia courts.
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.
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.
Sullivan County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Sullivan County.
Local Domestic Relations Offices
This resource from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services allows you to find the location of your local domestic relations office and contact that office.
Schuylkill County: Prothonotary Forms
Forms for use in the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas.
Serving a Defendant (Video)
This video from 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.
Somerset County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Somerset County.
Sullivan County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Sullivan County.
Susquehanna County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Susquehanna County.
Tioga County Domestic Relations
The Domestic Relations Section is a Court-appointed office of the Tioga County Court of Common Pleas. The office is responsible for preparing Complaints and Petitions for the establishment and enforcement of child support, spousal support and/or alimony pendente lite orders for the Court. Domestic Relations will also establish paternity when necessary, locate missing parents and resolve medical insurance and expense issues between separated parents.
Union County - Domestic Relations Department
The Union County Domestic Relations Section is a division of the Union County Court of Common Pleas of the 17th Judicial District that is responsible for the establishment and enforcement of financial and medical support of spouses and/or children. Domestic Relations also assists in the establishment of paternity for children born outside of marriage. This office does NOT handle issues involving custody, partial custody or visitation. In addition, DRS employees are not permitted to provide the general public or clients with any information that might be construed as legal advice. If you have legal questions regarding paternity or support matters, you should contact an attorney.