Welcome to the County of Berks
Welcome to The Office of Domestic Relations

Parties/counsel who are unable to appear for a scheduled in-person event may submit an Application for Telephone Conference/Hearing​​ 

 

*** PAYMENT OPTIONS ***  

 Credit/Debit cards are accepted at the payment kiosk located in the DRS Lobby, 6th Floor,  County Services Center ​and online. Please see our Support Payment Options​​​ link for more information. 
Current DRS Office Hours:
In-person office visits: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding County / Court holidays. 
        * No public will be permitted on the floor after 5:00 PM -- NO                EXCEPTIONS.
       **Please allow sufficient time to have your business
            conducted and completed before 5:00 PM.

Phone lines are available: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

The DRS Docketing Division is open from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday through Friday for in-person filing of documents. 
Parties may also make in-person cash payments for support cases in the Docketing Division Monday through Friday. Based on the required case research and verification process, parties making cash payments are encouraged to appear prior to 4:30PM.

The DRS Intake Unit can accommodate seeing in-person clients from 8:00AM - 3:30PM.  A client MUST be ready to be seen by 3:30PM, due to the amount of time needed to do required research, interview the client, create the case and have a Complaint for Support signed. 

 

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The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania renamed the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) as the Department of Human Services (DHS).
 
Please click here to be directed to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) website.
 
NOTICE of Language Rights in the DRS
 
SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING ACCESS TO THE DRO
For security purposes and your own safety, the Domestic Relations Office (DRO) will not allow a third party into the DRO waiting room area. Please do not bring anyone with you who is not a party to the immediate action.
 
Only the following people will be permitted inside the DRO waiting room:
 
  • Plaintiff
    •  
  • Defendant
    •  
  • Plaintiff's Attorney
    •  
  • Defendant's Attorney
    •  
  • Children (if necessary for paternity testing)
 

Please note that there is a cafeteria on the 2nd floor of the Services Center for members of the public to use in the event you are accompanied by someone who is not a party to the proceeding.

 
About Berks County Domestic Relations Section
 
The Domestic Relations Section is a part of the Family Court. The Family Court is a division of the Berks County Court of Common Pleas. The Family Court is a part of the Court system which helps resolve problems such as divorce, child and spousal support, temporary and permanent alimony, division of marital property, custody of children, and protection from abuse. The Domestic Relations Section is mainly responsible for working with families to establish and collect support for children and spouses.
 
The Domestic Relations Section is made up of Judges, Managers, Hearing Officers, Establishment and Compliance Officers, an Attorney, and various technical and clerical staff. The staff of the Domestic Relations Section is assisted by a large computer system which is used to track cases, keep financial records, and help in the enforcement of support orders. The staff in the Domestic Relations Section is trained to help people make the best decisions possible about support and related issues.
 
When the parties involved in a case are unable to agree on a support order, the Domestic Relations Section staff will recommend the amount of support to be paid and other provisions such as medical insurance coverage to the parties and to the Court. These recommendations are based on state and federal laws and the experience of the Domestic Relations Section staff.
 
First Time Filing for Child or Spousal Support Services? Save time - click here for more information.
 
Please click on the menu items and links located on the left and right sides of this page to navigate the Berks DRS website.
 

 Links

 



DRS & AOPC Public Access Policy
 
Support Payment Options​​
 
PA State Child Support Website
 
Warrants/Fugitives ​​ 
                
​​Reporting Changes in Address,  Contact Information, Employment, Health Insurance  
 
​​Job Search Information
 
E-Services (file an online, Complaint for Support or Petition to Modify)  
 

 
 

 Mission

 
Our mission is to serve the public by providing child support services as authorized by law.
 
We will establish, modify and enforce orders of support and provide support collection services for children and families in an effective and efficient manner, making prudent use of public resources.
 
We will perform our duties with honor and professionalism, and treat our clients and colleagues with dignity and respect.