Domestic Relations Branch
Hours of Operation
Mondays-Fridays: 8:30a.m.-5:00p.m.
Location
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue, N.W., Room 4230
Washington, D.C. 20001
Main Contact
Phone: (202) 879-1261
Paul Trudeau, Branch Chief
The Domestic Relations Branch processes case filings, via the Family Court Central Intake Center, for divorce, annulment, legal separation, custody, visitation, standby guardianship, foreign judgments, foreign subpoenas, adoption, and termination of parental rights. The branch is responsible for the management of the Marriage Bureau Section. In addition, the branch also provides certified copies, triple seal documents and the review of public case files.
FOR THOSE WITHOUT ATTORNEYS
Family Court Self-Help Center
The Family Law Section of the D.C. Bar supplies the Domestic
Relations Branch with forms for distribution to pro se litigants.
Please click here to access the D.C. Bar forms. Please click here to access the Court's adoption forms.
The District of Columbia Bar and the D. C. Public Services Activities Corporation present both a free Pro-Se Plus Custody Clinic and a free Pro-Se-Plus Divorce Clinic each month for persons wishing to represent themselves in either a divorce or custody matter. Volunteer attorneys provide interested persons with legal information and assistance during an initial 2-hour seminar. A follow up seminar is offered after attendance at the initial seminar. Handouts are available in the Domestic Relations Branch, Room 4230. Additional information can be obtained by calling (202) 737-4700 ext. 292 for the divorce clinic and ext. 424 for the custody clinic. Both clinics are sponsored by the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program.
FILING FEES and COSTS
| ITEM |
Fee |
| COMPLAINT/PETITION |
$80.00 |
| CERTIFIED TRUE COPY |
$5.00 |
| WRIT FACIAS |
$20.00 |
| TRIPLE SEAL CERTIFICATE |
$20.00 |
| NOTICE OF APPEAL |
$100.00 |
| INTERVENING ACTION |
$80.00 |
| COUNTER CLAIM |
$20.00 |
| MOTION |
$20.00 |
| MOTION TO REINSTATE |
$35.00 |
| ALIAS SUMMONS/WRIT |
$10.00 |
| WRIT OF ATTACHMENT |
$20.00 |
| HABEAS CORPUS WRIT |
$10.00 |
| WRIT OF NE EXEAT |
$10.00 |
| OATHS/AFFIDAVITS |
$1.00 |
| COPY PER PAGE |
$0.50 |
| RETURNED CHECK FEE |
$15.00 |
| ATTORNEY ESCROW |
$200.00 |
D.C. Code References
| Adoption |
§ 16-301 - § 16-315 |
| Divorce |
§ 16-901 - § 16-924 |
| Annulment |
§ 16-901 - § 16-924 |
| Legal Separation |
§ 16-901 - § 16-924 |
| Support |
§ 16-901 - § 16-924 |
| Marriage |
§ 46-401 - § 46-421 |
| Standby Guardianship |
§ 16-4801 - § 16-4810 |
| Registration of Foreign Judgment |
§ 15-351 - § 15-357 |
| Uniform Child Custody Proceeding |
§ 16-4501 - § 16-4524 |
|
Child Support Guideline Calculator |
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