checklist

This list is a general guideline. It may not be suitable for every case. If you are in doubt, please contact legal counsel in the other country before proceeding.

__Be sure to have as much information about the non custodial parent as possible, such as: copies of documents such as drivers license, passport, social security number (if they legally worked in the USA), names and addresses of relatives (here and abroad), last known address, last employer and address, current employer and address, and anything else that might be of assistance to locate them.

__Call the Embassy of the country where the non custodial parent is a citizen and ask information about the serving of child support orders in their country. Keep in mind that child support agreements with other countries are on a state to state basis. There is no "Federal" agreement in effect. (see CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT ABROAD)

__Find out the name, phone, and address of the office in the other country that is in charge of handling the child support cases. Sometimes there is a special unit just for international cases. Contact them and get acquainted. They will be another key to the success of your filing. Gather as much information from them as possible so that you will know what they are going to require to process your case. Be certain to share this information when you file your case and also in the hearing itself.

__Also ask about establishing paternity in the other country. In some countries, this is a lengthy process if the father refuses to acknowledge the child.

__Do a search for attorneys in the other country just in case you might need one. Contact them and get acquainted with them.

When filing: *It is CRUCIAL to your case that the initial filing/serving of documents is done in the correct manner.*

__Obtain the name of the supervisor in charge for "out-of-state" filings in your court. Make them your contact person.

__File for child support in your area being careful to have the documents served to the non custodial parent in their native language and English.

__If the non custodial parent is a citizen of one country but living in another, have the order also translated into the language of their resident country as well.

__Be absolutely CERTAIN that the person filing your case understands that yours is NOT like an interstate case within the USA. Ask to speak with the supervisor if they seem not to understand the procedures.

__Be sure that when you appear for your hearing, that the hearing officer also understands this matter. If the non custodial parent is a "no-show," this might be the time for the hearing officer to issue a warrant for their arrest, even if they are not in the USA at the time.

__Bring copies of ALL information and documents you have, including the child's birth certificate.

After filing:

__Keep in contact with the supervisor of the department.

__Follow through with the foreign division to be sure they have entered your order in the proper way.

__If after an appropriate amount of time and resources you still have no results, it might be time to think about having a private agency help you.