PA Courts Custody Forms

Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System publishes free, statewide custody forms — but the numbering system is confusing and grandparents often grab the wrong one. Here is what each form does and when you need it.

The Official Forms

All forms are available free at pacourts.us under the Self-Help section. These are statewide and valid in every county.

Form 1 — Complaint for Custody (Parents) This is for biological parents filing against each other. If you are a grandparent or other relative, this is not your form.

Form 2 — Complaint for Custody (Grandparents and Third Parties) This is the form grandparents use to start a custody case. It asks for the child's residence history, the names and addresses of all parties, and — critically — your statutory basis for standing under 23 Pa.C.S. § 5324 or § 5325.

Form 3 — Criminal Record and Abuse History Verification Every party to a custody case must file this, under Pa.R.C.P. 1915.3-2. It is a sworn statement listing required criminal and abuse history for each filing party and adult members of that party's household. Filing without Form 3 can leave the required verification incomplete.

Form 4 — Petition for Modification of Custody Order Used when you already have a custody order and need to change it because circumstances have shifted. You do not use this for an initial filing.

Form 5 and Form 7 — Scheduling Orders and Notice to Appear These are court-issued forms, not forms you fill out. The court uses them to notify parties about hearing dates.

Form 6 — Petition for Civil Contempt Filed when someone is violating an existing custody order — refusing to return the child, blocking scheduled visits, or ignoring court-ordered terms.

Forms You Also Need (Not Numbered)

Beyond the official numbered forms, every custody filing requires:

• Confidential Information Form (CIF) — Keeps sensitive data (Social Security numbers, dates of birth, financial accounts) off the public docket. Required by the UJS Public Access Policy.
• Confidential Document Form (CDF) — Covers any attached documents containing confidential information.
• In Forma Pauperis (IFP) Petition — If you cannot afford filing fees. Lists your income, expenses, assets, and debts under oath. If a legal aid attorney represents you, they can file a Rule 240 praecipe that grants IFP status automatically.

How to Fill Out Form 2 (Grandparent Complaint)

The form walks you through several sections:

Caption. Use the exact format your county requires — the child's name, the plaintiff (you), and the defendant (the parent or parents). Check your county's local rules for specific caption requirements.

Residence history. List every address where the child has lived in the past five years, including dates and who the child lived with at each address.

Standing basis. This is where many pro se filers make a critical mistake. You must check the specific statutory provision that gives you the right to file — in loco parentis (§ 5324(2)), grandparent with 12+ months of co-residence (§ 5324(3)), Act 21 third-party standing (§ 5324(4)), or one of the § 5325 partial custody categories. If you check the wrong box or leave it blank, the opposing party can challenge your standing before the case even gets to a hearing.

Requested relief. Specify exactly what you are asking for — sole physical custody, primary physical custody, shared legal custody, or another arrangement. Be specific about the schedule you want.

Verification. You must verify that the complaint's statements are true and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief, subject to the penalties for unsworn falsification under 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904.

County-Specific Additions

While the numbered forms are statewide, many counties require additional local forms:

• Philadelphia requires a Family Court Cover Sheet and Custody Intake Questionnaire
• Allegheny County requires a Family Division Cover Sheet plus Kayden's Law consent and verification forms
• Rural counties often require a local court cover sheet and a domestic relations information sheet

Check your county custody filing office's website or call before filing. Submitting without the local forms means your paperwork comes back.

Filing Logistics

Bring the original plus copies — most counties require the original plus three to four copies (one per party served). Philadelphia requires the original plus two. Some counties now accept electronic filing for attorneys, but most pro se filers still file on paper.

After filing, the county custody filing office stamps your copies with the docket number and filing date. Keep these filed-marked copies — they are your proof that the case exists.

What Happens After Filing

The court schedules a conciliation conference. Before that happens, you must serve every defendant with copies of the complaint and all attachments. Service must be by certified mail (restricted delivery), sheriff, or personal delivery by an adult who is not a party. You then file an Affidavit of Service proving the papers were delivered.

Our Pennsylvania Guardianship and Custody Court Process Guide includes step-by-step instructions for completing each form, county-by-county filing details, and the full service-of-process sequence.

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