How to File for Child Support in Pennsylvania
Complete step-by-step guide to filing for child support through Pennsylvania Domestic Relations: eligibility, documents, process, and what to expect
Quick Facts: Pennsylvania Filing Process
Overview: Filing for Child Support in Pennsylvania
Filing for child support in Pennsylvania is a legal process to establish a court-ordered obligation for the non-custodial parent (obligor) to provide financial support for the child. Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 4321, both parents have a duty to support their children until age 18 (or graduation from high school, whichever is later, up to age 19).
Pennsylvania's child support system is administered by the Domestic Relations Section (DRS) in each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties, with centralized payment processing through the State Collection and Disbursement Unit (SCDU). The process is designed to be accessible to self-represented parents, though legal assistance is recommended for complex cases.
Key aspects of the Pennsylvania filing process:
- No filing fee: Most counties do not charge a fee to file for child support
- Income Shares model: Support calculated based on both parents' combined income (Pa.R.C.P. 1910.16-4)
- Automatic wage withholding: Income Withholding Orders (IWO) issued in all cases
- Retroactive support: Orders typically retroactive to date of filing
- Interstate enforcement: Pennsylvania can establish and enforce support across state lines under UIFSA
The sections below provide a detailed, step-by-step guide to filing for child support in Pennsylvania, from determining eligibility to receiving the final court order.
Required Documents Checklist
Before filing, gather the following documents. Having complete documentation upfront speeds the process and improves accuracy of the support calculation.
Personal Identification
- Valid photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport)
- Social Security cards for you and the child(ren)
- Birth certificates for all children for whom support is sought
- Proof of current address (utility bill, lease, etc.)
Financial Documentation
- Most recent pay stubs (last 6 months preferred)
- Last 2 years of federal tax returns (Form 1040 with all schedules)
- Proof of other income (unemployment, disability, pensions, rental income, etc.)
- Bank statements for the past 3-6 months
- Documentation of self-employment income (profit/loss statements, 1099s)
- Information about health insurance coverage and costs
Child-Related Information
- Child care expenses (receipts, invoices, or statements from provider)
- Unreimbursed medical expenses for children
- Health insurance information (policy details, premium costs, coverage)
- School enrollment records or tuition statements (if applicable)
- Custody or parenting time agreement/court order (if any)
Other Parent's Information
- Full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number (if known)
- Current address and contact information
- Employer name and address (if known)
- Income information (if available)
- Any existing support orders or legal documents
Don't Have All Documents?
Don't delay filing if you're missing some documents. You can file with what you have and supplement later. If you don't know the other parent's income or employer, write "Unknown" on the form—Domestic Relations has tools to investigate. The key is to file as soon as possible, as support is retroactive to the filing date.
Step-by-Step Filing Process
Determine Eligibility and Jurisdiction
Confirm you are eligible to file for child support in Pennsylvania. You can file if: (1) you are the custodial parent (physical custody 51% or more); (2) the child resides in Pennsylvania; or (3) either parent is a Pennsylvania resident. If paternity is not established, you may need to file a separate paternity action first, or combine it with the support petition.
💡 Tips & Important Notes:
- •If you receive public assistance (TANF, Medicaid), the state may automatically file on your behalf
- •If the other parent lives out-of-state, Pennsylvania can still establish and enforce support under UIFSA
- •Unmarried parents must establish paternity before support can be ordered (genetic testing may be required)
Locate Your County Domestic Relations Office
Child support cases are handled by the Domestic Relations Section (DRS) in each county. Locate the DRS office in the county where you or the child resides. Each county has its own procedures, forms, and local rules, but all follow Pennsylvania state law and guidelines.
💡 Tips & Important Notes:
- •Find your county DRS office online or call the PA Child Support Program at 1-800-692-7462
- •Some counties allow online filing through PACSES (Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement System)
- •Call ahead to confirm office hours, required documents, and whether appointments are needed
Complete the Child Support Complaint/Petition
Obtain and complete the Complaint for Support form from your county DRS. The complaint requires detailed information about both parents, the children, income, expenses, and any existing custody or support orders. Be thorough and accurate—incomplete forms will be rejected.
💡 Tips & Important Notes:
- •Use legal names exactly as they appear on official documents (birth certificates, IDs)
- •If you don't know the other parent's employer or income, write "Unknown"—DRS can investigate
- •Attach copies of required documents (don't send originals unless instructed)
- •Keep a copy of everything you submit for your records
Submit Financial Documentation
Along with your complaint, submit all required financial documentation (see checklist above). Pennsylvania uses the Income Shares model, so accurate income information for both parents is critical. The more documentation you provide upfront, the smoother the process.
💡 Tips & Important Notes:
- •If self-employed, provide detailed business income and expense records
- •Include documentation of childcare costs and health insurance premiums—these affect the support amount
- •If you have variable income (bonuses, commissions, overtime), provide at least 12 months of records
- •If the other parent hides income, request income discovery or subpoenas through DRS
File the Complaint and Serve the Other Parent
Submit your completed complaint and documents to the DRS office. There is typically no filing fee. DRS will assign a case number and serve the complaint on the other parent (respondent) by certified mail or sheriff's service. The respondent has 30 days to respond and submit their own financial information.
💡 Tips & Important Notes:
- •Make sure DRS has the correct address for the other parent—service cannot be completed otherwise
- •If the other parent's address is unknown, DRS can use locate services (employment databases, DMV records)
- •Service must be completed before the case can proceed—this can delay the process if the other parent evades service
- •You will receive a notice of the conference or hearing date once service is complete
Attend the Child Support Conference
Most Pennsylvania counties hold an informal conference before a Domestic Relations Officer or Conference Officer. Both parties attend (in person or virtually) and attempt to reach agreement on support amount. If you agree, the officer prepares a Consent Order for the court. If you don't agree, the officer makes a recommendation to the court.
💡 Tips & Important Notes:
- •Bring all original financial documents (pay stubs, tax returns, etc.) to the conference
- •Be prepared to explain any unusual income or expenses
- •If you don't agree with the officer's recommendation, you can request a formal court hearing (exceptions must be filed within 20 days)
- •Most cases settle at the conference—going to court is more time-consuming and costly
Court Hearing (If Necessary)
If either party files exceptions to the conference officer's recommendation, a formal hearing is scheduled before a judge or hearing officer. Both parties present evidence, witnesses, and legal arguments. The judge issues a written order determining the support amount.
💡 Tips & Important Notes:
- •Consider hiring an attorney for the hearing—court proceedings are formal and complex
- •Subpoena witnesses and documents in advance (income records, childcare providers, etc.)
- •Be respectful and professional—judges notice demeanor and credibility
- •The judge's order can be appealed within 30 days, but appeals are difficult and rarely successful
Entry of Support Order
Once finalized (by agreement or court decision), the support order is entered by the court and becomes legally binding. The order specifies the monthly support amount, payment method (through SCDU), effective date, and any additional provisions (childcare, medical, etc.). An Income Withholding Order (IWO) is automatically sent to the obligor's employer.
💡 Tips & Important Notes:
- •The support order is retroactive to the date of filing (or date of separation if specified)
- •All payments must be made through PA State Collection and Disbursement Unit (SCDU)—never directly to the other parent
- •Set up direct deposit or debit card through SCDU to receive payments quickly
- •Keep the order in a safe place—you'll need it for enforcement or modification
What Happens After the Order is Entered
Once the child support order is finalized and entered by the court, several things happen automatically:
Income Withholding Order Issued
An IWO is sent to the obligor's employer within days, requiring automatic wage garnishment. Employer must withhold support from paychecks and remit to SCDU.
Payments Through SCDU
All payments are processed through Pennsylvania's State Collection and Disbursement Unit. Never accept payments directly from the other parent—they won't count toward the obligation.
Online Case Access
Both parties can register for PACSES (Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement System) online portal to view payment history, arrears balance, and case status 24/7.
Enforcement Tools Available
If the obligor fails to pay, SCDU can automatically initiate enforcement actions: license suspension, tax intercept, contempt proceedings, etc.
Modification Available
Either party can petition to modify the support order if there is a material and substantial change in circumstances (income change, custody change, etc.) under 23 Pa.C.S. § 4352.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer to file for child support in Pennsylvania?
No, you do not need a lawyer to file for child support in Pennsylvania. The process is designed to be accessible to self-represented litigants (pro se). County Domestic Relations offices provide forms, instructions, and assistance. However, legal representation is highly recommended if: (1) the other parent contests support or hires an attorney; (2) income is complex (self-employment, bonuses, hidden assets); (3) there are custody disputes; or (4) you need to establish paternity. If you cannot afford a lawyer, contact Pennsylvania Legal Aid or your county bar association for free or low-cost assistance.
How long does it take to get a child support order in Pennsylvania?
The typical timeline from filing to final order is 60-90 days, but this varies significantly by county and case complexity. Simple cases with cooperative parents may resolve in 30-45 days if both parties agree at the conference. Complex cases involving contested income, paternity disputes, or court hearings can take 4-6 months or longer. Delays often occur due to: (1) difficulty serving the other parent; (2) one party failing to submit financial documents; (3) need for income discovery or investigation; or (4) court scheduling backlogs. You can check case status by contacting your county DRS office or logging into PACSES online.
What if I don't know where the other parent lives or works?
Pennsylvania Domestic Relations Sections have extensive locate services to find non-custodial parents. Once you file your complaint, DRS can: (1) search employment databases and state tax records; (2) query DMV and voter registration records; (3) use federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS) to search SSA, IRS, and VA records; (4) check unemployment and workers' compensation databases; and (5) subpoena banks, employers, and other entities. You should provide as much information as you know (last known address, employer, relatives' contact info, SSN, date of birth). If the other parent is located, they will be served. If they cannot be located, you may need to publish notice in a newspaper (rare, but possible).
Can I get child support if I was never married to the other parent?
Yes, unmarried parents are entitled to child support under Pennsylvania law. However, paternity must be legally established first. If the father signed an Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) at the hospital when the child was born, paternity is established. If not, you must file a petition to establish paternity, which may require genetic (DNA) testing. Once paternity is established, the child support process proceeds the same as for married parents. Pennsylvania law requires both parents to financially support their children regardless of marital status under 23 Pa.C.S. § 4321.
What if the other parent lives in a different state?
Pennsylvania can establish and enforce child support orders even if the other parent lives out-of-state, under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), codified at 23 Pa.C.S. § 7101 et seq. You file in Pennsylvania, and the state coordinates with the other state to serve the other parent, obtain financial information, and enforce the order. Pennsylvania can also register and enforce support orders from other states. The process takes longer than in-state cases (3-6 months typically) due to interstate coordination. You work with your local Pennsylvania DRS, which handles communication with the other state.
How is the child support amount determined?
Pennsylvania uses the Income Shares model under Pa.R.C.P. 1910.16-4. The court calculates support based on: (1) both parents' combined monthly net income; (2) the number of children; (3) basic support amount from the state guideline table; (4) add-ons for childcare, health insurance premiums, and extraordinary medical expenses; and (5) each parent's percentage share of combined income. The non-custodial parent (obligor) pays their proportional share to the custodial parent (obligee). The court may deviate from guidelines if the standard amount would be unjust. Use our Pennsylvania Child Support Calculator for an estimate based on your income and expenses.
When does child support start in Pennsylvania?
Child support is generally retroactive to the date you filed the complaint, or the date of separation if the parties recently separated. However, the support order does not become enforceable until it is entered by the court. Any support owed from the filing date to the order date is considered arrears and must be paid. For example, if you file on January 1 but the order is entered on April 1, the obligor owes support for January, February, and March as arrears. Pennsylvania does not typically award support retroactive to the child's birth unless special circumstances exist (such as the obligor hiding to avoid support).
What happens after the support order is entered?
Once the support order is entered: (1) An Income Withholding Order (IWO) is automatically sent to the obligor's employer, requiring wage garnishment; (2) All payments are processed through the State Collection and Disbursement Unit (SCDU); (3) The custodial parent receives payments via direct deposit, debit card, or check; (4) SCDU tracks payments and arrears; and (5) If the obligor fails to pay, enforcement actions (license suspension, contempt, etc.) can be initiated. Both parties can monitor the case online through PACSES. The order remains in effect until the child turns 18 (or graduates high school, whichever is later, up to age 19), unless modified by the court.
Important: File as Soon as Possible
Child support is generally retroactive only to the date you file the complaint, not to the child's birth or the date of separation. Every month you delay filing is a month of support you cannot recover.
Don't wait for the "right time" or until you have perfect documentation. File now with what you have. You can supplement documents later, but you cannot recover support for the time before you filed.
If you're entitled to child support, file immediately to protect your child's financial rights.
References & Accuracy Statement
Legal References
- statute23 Pa.C.S. § 4321 – Duty of Support (Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes)
- statutePa.R.C.P. 1910.1-1910.30 – Actions for Support (Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure)
- statutePa.R.C.P. 1910.16-4 – Support Guidelines (Income Shares Model)
- statute23 Pa.C.S. § 7101 et seq. – Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA)
- officialPennsylvania DHS Child Support – Official filing procedures and resources
Content Accuracy & Updates
This guide is based on Pennsylvania statutes, rules of civil procedure, and Domestic Relations procedures in effect as of January 2025. Filing procedures may vary slightly by county—always confirm specific requirements with your local Domestic Relations office.
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every child support case is unique. Procedures, timelines, and requirements depend on individual circumstances, county practices, and case complexity. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed Pennsylvania family law attorney or contact your county Domestic Relations Section.
Last Updated: January 15, 2025
Content Review: Based on current Pennsylvania law and DRS procedures