Child Support

Establishing Paternity in PA

To get child support from a child’s father, the child and the father must have a legal relationship. If you were not married when your child was born, you must go through a court process to complete this step. Learn more here:

Domestic Violence, TANF, and Child Support in PA

If you receive TANF (cash assistance) in PA, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services will file for child support for you. You have certain rights if you or your children would be at risk for future harm by your filing for child support. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities here:

Domestic Violence and Welfare Requirements for Child Support

Filing for Child Support in PA

Pennsylvania Child Support Program
Even if the person who owes you child support lives somewhere else, you can file in your county. Learn where to file for child support here.
PA has guidelines for how much child or spousal support should be ordered. To see what might be ordered, use the PA Child Support Estimator.
You may find help at PA Law Help
PA Legal Aid Network will help you find legal aid in every county

Child Support in Philadelphia: Where to Start

Learn the basics: Child Support in Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, child support is handled by the Domestic Relations Division of Family Court, located at 15^th and Arch Streets.
Find Philadelphia Family Court child support forms and instructions
Request an interpreter for your hearing.
Family Court charges fees to file petitions. If you cannot afford to pay the fee, you may ask the judge to waive the fee. To do this, file a Motion To Proceed In Forma Pauperis (IFP) https://www.courts.phila.gov/pdf/forms/domestic-relations/prose-ifp.pdf
Help may be available from Philadelphia Legal Assistance

Child Support in Allegheny County : Where to Start

Allegheny County Family Court self-help center. Go here to learn more.
Filing for Child Support
Allegheny County Adult Section Court Manual– Click on Support to learn more about rules and procedures.
You may find help from Neighborhood Legal Services Association
Family Court charges fees to file petitions. If you cannot afford to pay the fee, you may ask the judge to waive the fee. To do this, file a Petition for Leave to File In Forma Pauperis
See all Allegheny County forms for support and paternity.

Enforcing Child Support in PA

You must go to your county Domestic Relations Section to enforce your order. Learn where to go here. The court has many tools. For example, it can take child support out of the wages of the person who owes it. It can intercept tax refunds. It can hold hearings. It can put the person who owes support in jail. It has other options too.