How do I open a child support case?

Apply through your state's Child Support Services agency — usually online, in person, or by mail. Applications are free, and the agency handles paternity establishment, order creation, and enforcement on your behalf. You don't need the other parent's cooperation to open a case.

Can I modify my child support order?

Yes, if there's a substantial change in circumstances (income drop of 15–25% or more, job loss, disability, a new child, change in custody time). File a Motion to Modify with the court that issued the original order. Most states don't modify retroactively — file as soon as circumstances change.

What happens if I can't pay?

Contact the child support agency immediately — don't ignore the debt. Options include payment plans, hardship modifications, and in some states, work programs that substitute community service for payment. Accumulated arrears don't disappear but can sometimes be reduced through debt compromise programs.

How is the amount calculated?

Each state uses guidelines — most follow Income Shares (combining both parents' income) or Percentage of Income (only non-custodial parent's income). Online calculators on every state agency site estimate your obligation. The actual order also considers health insurance, childcare, and other add-ons.

Child Support in Pennsylvania

11 verified resources.

About Child Support for Fathers

Child support in the United States is administered state-by-state under the Title IV-D federal program, with every state required to operate a child support enforcement agency. These agencies establish paternity, locate non-custodial parents, calculate support obligations, and enforce payments through wage garnishment, tax refund intercepts, license suspension, and other civil enforcement tools. Support amounts are calculated using state-specific guidelines, most based on an income shares or percentage-of-income formula. Fathers paying support can request modifications when their income drops substantially or when circumstances change (job loss, additional children, disability). Fathers owed support can open a case with their state agency free of charge. This directory includes each state's child support agency, online calculators, local enforcement offices, and modification resources.

Child Support in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's Courts of Common Pleas handle family matters in each of its 60 judicial districts. The Pennsylvania Child Support Program operates through county domestic relations sections. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, and Reading are the major metros. Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, Neighborhood Legal Services (Pittsburgh), and MidPenn Legal Services cover most of the state.

11 Resources

1. PA Bureau of Child Support Enforcement (BCSE) — Free

Statewide agency overseeing child support collection and enforcement across all 67 Pennsylvania counties. Services include locating non-custodial parents, establishing paternity, setting up new support orders, and enforcing existing orders through wage garnishment and license suspension. Call 800-932-0211 or apply online. Non-custodial fathers can also request case reviews and support modifications through their county domestic relations office.

800-932-0211 · P.O. Box 8018, Harrisburg, PA 17105 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. PA Child Support Guidelines & Calculator — Free

Official PA child support guidelines use an income shares model where both parents contribute proportionally based on net monthly income, number of children, and custody time. Overnight visits and shared custody can significantly reduce the base support obligation. Fathers can use the online calculator to estimate obligations before filing. Access the guidelines and calculator free at pacourts.us or through your county domestic relations office.

Online resource · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

3. Allegheny County Support Section — Free

Manages child support cases for the Pittsburgh metro area including establishment of new orders, modifications, and enforcement. Conducts support conferences with a conference officer before cases go before a judge. Located at 440 Ross St, Room 3030, Pittsburgh. Call 412-350-4401 to file a new complaint or request a modification. Fathers should bring recent pay stubs, tax returns, and documentation of custody time.

412-350-4401 · 440 Ross St, Room 3030, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

4. Delaware County Domestic Relations — Free

Processes child support and alimony cases for Delaware County, providing intake services, support conferences, and enforcement actions including wage attachments. Located at 201 W Front St, Media. Call 610-891-4382 to schedule intake. Fathers can file support complaints, request modifications when income changes, or respond to enforcement actions. Bring pay stubs, tax records, and current custody order to your conference.

610-891-4382 · 201 W Front St, Media, PA 19063 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

5. Lancaster County Domestic Relations — Free

Manages child support services for Lancaster County including paternity establishment, new support orders, modifications, and enforcement. Located at 50 N Duke St, Lancaster. Call 717-299-8145 to schedule intake or request forms. Fathers can file for support from the other parent, request modifications due to income changes, and attend mandatory support conferences before a master or judge resolves the case.

717-299-8145 · 50 N Duke St, Lancaster, PA 17602 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

6. PA Child Support Modification Info — Free

Either parent can request a child support modification when there is a material and substantial change in circumstances such as job loss, major income change, or a change in custody time. Pennsylvania also allows modification when three years have passed since the last order. File a modification complaint at your county domestic relations office. Call 800-932-0211 or visit palawhelp.org for guidance on the modification process.

800-932-0211 · File at your county domestic relations office · Online info 24/7 · Visit Website

7. Berks County Domestic Relations (Reading) — Free

Handles child support and spousal support cases for Berks County residents, conducting support conferences and enforcing existing court orders. Located in Reading. Call to confirm the address and schedule intake. Fathers filing for modification or responding to new complaints should bring recent pay stubs, prior year tax returns, documentation of custody time, and any existing court orders to their support conference.

610-478-6574 · 633 Court St, 4th Floor, Reading, PA 19601 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

8. Lehigh County Domestic Relations (Allentown) — Free

Processes child support and alimony cases for Lehigh County including intake, support conferences, and enforcement actions. Located in Allentown. Call to confirm the address and schedule intake. Fathers seeking to establish support from the other parent, request modification, or respond to enforcement actions should gather recent pay stubs, tax returns, and current custody documentation before contacting this office.

610-782-3295 · 455 W Hamilton St, Allentown, PA 18101 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

9. Lackawanna County Domestic Relations (Scranton) — Free

Child support services for the Scranton area and all of Lackawanna County including establishing new support orders, modifications, paternity testing, and enforcement. Located in Scranton. Call to confirm the address and schedule intake. Fathers can request support from the other parent or file for modification when their income or custody arrangements change significantly. Bring proof of income and custody details.

570-963-6740 · 200 N Washington Ave, Scranton, PA 18503 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

10. Chester County Domestic Relations — Free

Handles child support and spousal support services for Chester County, including new complaints, modifications, and enforcement through wage attachments and contempt proceedings. Call 610-344-6000 to schedule intake. Fathers should bring pay stubs, the prior year's tax return, documentation of custody time, and any existing support orders to the support conference, which occurs before a judge hears the case.

610-344-6180 · 2 N High St, Suite 1004, West Chester, PA 19380 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

11. Bucks County Domestic Relations — Free

Processes child support complaints, modifications, and enforcement for Bucks County families including wage garnishment and license suspension actions. Located in Doylestown. Call to confirm address and schedule intake. Fathers can file for new support orders, request downward modification when income drops, or challenge enforcement actions. Bring documentation of income, employment status, and custody time to all conferences.

215-348-6424 · 55 E Court St, Doylestown, PA 18901 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

Child Support — Common Questions

How do I open a child support case?: Apply through your state's Child Support Services agency — usually online, in person, or by mail. Applications are free, and the agency handles paternity establishment, order creation, and enforcement on your behalf. You don't need the other parent's cooperation to open a case.
Can I modify my child support order?: Yes, if there's a substantial change in circumstances (income drop of 15–25% or more, job loss, disability, a new child, change in custody time). File a Motion to Modify with the court that issued the original order. Most states don't modify retroactively — file as soon as circumstances change.
What happens if I can't pay?: Contact the child support agency immediately — don't ignore the debt. Options include payment plans, hardship modifications, and in some states, work programs that substitute community service for payment. Accumulated arrears don't disappear but can sometimes be reduced through debt compromise programs.
How is the amount calculated?: Each state uses guidelines — most follow Income Shares (combining both parents' income) or Percentage of Income (only non-custodial parent's income). Online calculators on every state agency site estimate your obligation. The actual order also considers health insurance, childcare, and other add-ons.