How to Research Old Child Support Cases

• Step 1

  After compiling any relevant materials in your possession, visit the courthouse listed as the court of record on your documents. If you cannot visit in person, call the court during office hours, which are usually 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also request records in writing, although this usually takes much longer. The name of the family court varies from state to state, but the records will be in the Family Division or the Juvenile & Domestic Relations Division.

• Step 2

  Tell the clerk you would like a copy of the Child Support Decree, and give the full legal names of the parents and the child or children involved; if the Support Decree was a result of a divorce, be prepared to give the date the divorce was final. Expect to pay a small fee of $3 to $10 for a copy and, in some cases, to show a photo ID.

• Step 3

  Ask the court clerk for a copy of the divorce decree. These are public record in most states, so if you have been denied other records you may have better luck with this one. If minor children were involved, this document may mention child custody and child support obligations.

• Step 4

  Consider contacting the people involved in the case. The legal parents, children (if they have reached maturity) and attorneys who handled the case may have records.

• 3
• Full legal name(s) of minor children Full legal names of custodial and non-custodial parents Court of jurisdiction Divorce decree Any other case files you may have, including payment receipts or canceled checks Written permission to access confidential records if you are not named in the case
• Full legal name(s) of minor children
• Full legal names of custodial and non-custodial parents
• Court of jurisdiction
• Divorce decree
• Any other case files you may have, including payment receipts or canceled checks
• Written permission to access confidential records if you are not named in the case
• Check the classified sections of local newspapers on the day the couple divorced. Sometimes information regarding the case is printed here. If it is your own case, check your canceled checks, old check registers, tax returns, or deposit tickets. You may have recorded child support payments and/or monies received.
• Check the classified sections of local newspapers on the day the couple divorced. Sometimes information regarding the case is printed here. If it is your own case, check your canceled checks, old check registers, tax returns, or deposit tickets. You may have recorded child support payments and/or monies received.
• If your purpose in researching an old child support case is to recoup money owed to you or your dependents, don't delay in pursuing your case. Some states have statues of limitation on child custody payments, and you must submit your claim within a certain amount of time or it will be deemed null and void.
• If your purpose in researching an old child support case is to recoup money owed to you or your dependents, don't delay in pursuing your case. Some states have statues of limitation on child custody payments, and you must submit your claim within a certain amount of time or it will be deemed null and void.

• USUnited States

References & Resources

• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families
• Uniform Interstate Family Support Act
• National Child Support Enforcement Association
• National Conference of State Legislatures