Pennsylvania Custody Forms for Grandparents: Form 1 Through Form 6 Explained

Pennsylvania publishes free statewide custody forms through the Unified Judicial System — but figuring out which form to use, in what order, and what additional paperwork your county requires is where most grandparents get stuck. Here is what each form does and when you need it.

Form 1 vs. Form 2: Which Complaint Do You File?

The Custody Complaint is the document that starts your case. Pennsylvania has two versions:

Form 1 — Complaint for Custody (Parents) is designed for biological parents filing against each other. If you are a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or other non-parent, this is not your form.

Form 2 — Complaint for Custody (Grandparents and Third Parties) is what you need. It includes specific sections for establishing your standing under 23 Pa.C.S. § 5324 or § 5325, such as documenting your in loco parentis relationship, the child's residence history, and why the parents are unable or unwilling to care for the child.

Form 2 asks for the child's current living arrangements, names and addresses of all parties with custodial rights, the specific type of custody you are requesting (sole legal, sole physical, shared, or partial), and the factual basis for your standing. Be specific. Vague allegations weaken your case at the standing stage.

Form 3: Criminal Record and Abuse History Verification

This verification is required in private custody matters under Pa.R.C.P. 1915.3-2 / 1915.15(c), and Kayden's Law (Act 8 of 2024) strengthened the safety requirements. Each party files a sworn statement covering:

• Your prior criminal charges or convictions and child abuse findings, plus the history of adult household members, as requested on the official form

Form 3 is a required filing. Submit each party's verification with the filing packet; omitting a required verification can leave the packet incomplete. Follow the official form and county instructions for household disclosures.

Effective July 1, 2025, Pa.R.C.P. 1915.3-3 implements 23 Pa.C.S. § 5329.1 and requires courts in custody proceedings to evaluate documented child abuse history and protective-services involvement. County Children, Youth, and Families agencies may share records with the court through forms such as CY1002.

Form 4: Petition for Modification of Custody Order

You use Form 4 when you already have a custody order and need to change it. This could mean requesting more time, changing legal custody arrangements, or responding to a change in circumstances — the parent completing rehab, a child's needs evolving, or a relocation.

Form 4 requires you to attach a copy of the current custody order and explain what changed and why a modification serves the child's best interest. You must also file updated Form 3 disclosures.

Pennsylvania does not impose a waiting period before you can file for modification. If circumstances have genuinely changed, you can petition at any time.

Form 6: Petition for Civil Contempt

When someone is violating an existing custody order — a parent refusing to return the child on schedule, interfering with your legal custody rights, or ignoring court-ordered conditions — Form 6 asks the court to hold them in contempt.

The court's response depends on the order, the alleged violation, and its findings. Do not assume a contempt petition automatically changes custody or results in a particular sanction. Document each alleged violation with dates, witnesses, and written communications before filing.

Forms 5 and 7: Scheduling Orders and Notices

These are court-generated documents rather than forms you fill out yourself. Form 5 is the scheduling order that sets hearing dates and deadlines. Form 7 is the notice to appear. You receive these after filing — keep them in your case file and follow every deadline listed.

The Confidential Forms Most People Forget

In addition to the numbered forms, every custody case requires:

• Confidential Information Form (CIF) — protects Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and financial account numbers from the public court docket
• Confidential Document Form (CDF) — designates which attached documents contain protected information

These exist because of the UJS Public Access Policy. If you submit sensitive information without these forms, it may become part of the public record.

County-Specific Forms

The statewide forms are the foundation, but many counties add their own requirements. Philadelphia requires a Family Court Cover Sheet and Custody Intake Questionnaire. Allegheny County requires Kayden's Law Verification and Consent Forms. Rural counties like Snyder or Juniata may require a local cover sheet and Domestic Relations information sheet.

Call your county's Prothonotary before filing to confirm exactly what they need. The UJS portal at pacourts.us lists basic filing information, but local requirements change.

Our Pennsylvania Guardianship and Custody Court Process Guide includes a pre-filing checklist matched to every form, plus a service-of-process tracking worksheet for after you file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I download Pennsylvania custody forms for free?

The official forms are available at pacourts.us under the "Representing Yourself" section for custody proceedings. PALawHELP.org also provides links and instructions. These are the same forms used by attorneys — there is no separate "paid" version.

Do I need to notarize the custody complaint?

Use the verification section and signing instructions on the official custody form. It calls for a signed verification under penalty of law (18 Pa.C.S. § 4904); check your county's instructions for any additional filing requirements.

What if I make a mistake on a form?

Ask the intake clerk or legal aid how to correct the error. The correction process depends on whether the complaint has been docketed and whether the mistake is clerical or changes the substance of your filing.

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