Overview
The Parentage and Child Support Branch handles cases about:
- Who a child’s legal parent is (called parentage or paternity)
- Starting child support
- Changing or ending child support
- Collecting unpaid child support
About Child Support
What Is Child Support?
Every child has the right to support from both parents. Child support is usually money one parent pays to help with food, housing, clothes, school, and health care. It can also include health insurance or help with medical bills. In D.C., support usually lasts until the child turns 21.
Who Can Get or Pay Child Support?
The parent or caregiver the child lives with most of the time can ask for support. The other parent usually pays. If the child lives with both parents about equally, the parent who makes more money may still need to pay support.
Starting a Case
You can start the case any time after the 4th month of pregnancy until the child turns 21. You can also ask for child support as part of a divorce or legal separation case.
To start a case, file a Petition to Establish Parentage and/or for Child Support:
- Online or in person at the Family Court Central Intake Center or
- With help from the Child Support Services Division (CSSD) of the DC Office of the Attorney General.
How Much Support Will Be Ordered?
The court uses a formula called the Child Support Guideline. It looks at:
- Both parents’ income
- Medical and child care costs
- Time the child spends with each parent
- Other children living in each home
Use the Child Support Calculator to estimate the amount.
Changing a Support Order
If something major changes—like a job loss, new job, illness, or change in custody—you can ask the court to change the order. This is called a Motion to Modify Child Support.
Important: New payments only apply from the day you file. You will still owe the old amount for earlier months.
About Parentage (Paternity)
What Is Parentage (Paternity)?
Parentage means who the child’s legal parent is. If you're not sure, you can ask the court to decide. The court may order a DNA test. You can start this process through the court or CSSD.
Responding to a Case
If you receive court papers:
- Read everything carefully – it will tell you what the case is about and your hearing date.
- Don’t ignore it – if you don’t respond, the court may decide without you.
- Go to your hearing – bring proof of income or anything that helps your case.
- File a written response if required.
- Ask for a DNA test if you are unsure you are the child’s parent.
Filing Fees
If you can’t afford the fee, you can ask the court to waive the fee. Complete a Fee Waiver Application and give it to the court when you file your petition.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
You do not need a lawyer to start or respond to a case. But these cases involve important rights, like who must pay support or who is legally a parent. Talking to a lawyer can help you understand your options.