Germany: claiming child support, the checklist
From the calculation through the request for information and the demand for payment to the youth welfare office and advance maintenance payments: the steps and the deadlines that count.
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Time: as early as possible: support is due only from the month of the demand
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Clarify and calculate
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Whoever cares for the child usually pays no cash maintenance; the other parent does (guidelines no. 12.1). Child benefit reduces the child’s need (§ 1612b BGB).
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The minimum maintenance in 2026 is €486, €558 and €653 by age band (§ 1612a BGB); with higher income it rises under the Düsseldorf Table.
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By acknowledgment or court finding; the youth welfare office can also help as assistant here (§ 1712 para. 1 no. 1 BGB).
Information and demand
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They must give it on request and present proof, for example certificates from the employer (§ 1605 para. 1 BGB).
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For the past, support is due only from the first of the month in which they were asked for information, fell into default or were sued (§ 1613 para. 1 BGB).
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State additional needs and special needs separately: special needs you can also claim earlier, but after a year only with default or a lawsuit (§ 1613 para. 2 BGB).
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Earlier only if it is credible that the payer will later earn considerably more or has more assets (§ 1605 para. 2 BGB).
Youth welfare office and advance
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On a parent’s written application the youth welfare office asserts the child’s support claims (§ 1712 BGB).
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The recording officer at the youth welfare office records the obligation to pay support for children up to 21 (§ 59 para. 1 no. 3 SGB VIII).
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For children up to 11, €227 (up to 5) and €299 (6 to 11), up to 17, €394 under conditions (§ 1 and § 2 UhVorschG): at the advance maintenance office, usually in the youth welfare office.
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Only if you had already tried the month before to get the other parent to pay (federal family portal).
Afterward
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Support of a higher age band applies from the start of the month in which the child completes the year (§ 1612a para. 3 BGB).
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It applies from January 1 each year; the amounts and the self-support reserve can change. A fixed amount in a deed does not change by itself.
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With advance maintenance payments you are obliged to for as long as it is paid (federal family portal).
Support settled
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Good to know
- Support for the past is due only from the month of the demand or default: waiting costs money. Better write early and keep the proof.
- The advance maintenance payments do not relieve the other parent: they must repay it to the advance maintenance office (federal family portal).
- The Düsseldorf Table amounts are guide values; the court and the youth welfare office decide in the individual case, also on the self-support reserve, shortfall case and shared custody model.
- The notes are general; what counts is the information from the youth welfare office, the advance maintenance office and the family court.
Frequently asked questions
How much support is my child entitled to?
That depends on the payer’s income and the child’s age; the 2026 Düsseldorf Table gives in the first group €486, €558 and €653 a month, less the child benefit share. The child support calculator shows the amount.
How far back can I claim support?
From the first of the month in which the other parent was asked for information, fell into default or was sued (§ 1613 para. 1 BGB); special needs also earlier.
Who helps me with support for free?
The youth welfare office: it advises, can become the child’s assistant on request and record the payment obligation (§ 1712 BGB, § 59 SGB VIII). The advance maintenance office pays an advance when payments fail.
How long is advance maintenance paid?
Until the 12th birthday, and until the 18th under conditions: if the child does not need Bürgergeld or the parent earns at least €600 gross (§ 1 para. 1a UhVorschG).
How often can I ask for information on income?
Every two years; earlier only if it is credible that the payer will later earn considerably more or has more assets (§ 1605 para. 2 BGB).
Next step
I’m not an accountant or a financial advisor. This is an estimate, for information only. Check with a professional before you decide.
- The calculatorGermany child support (Kindesunterhalt) calculator
- The guideGermany: child support, the table, child benefit and the self-support reserve
- The checklistGermany: having a baby, authorities and applications
Sources
- § 1605 BGB — Duty to give information (in German)
- § 1613 BGB — Support for the past (in German)
- § 1612a BGB — Minimum maintenance of minor children (in German)
- § 1712 BGB — Assistance by the youth welfare office (in German)
- § 59 SGB VIII — Recording by the youth welfare office (in German)
- § 1 UhVorschG — Persons entitled (in German)
- § 2 UhVorschG — Amount of the maintenance benefit (in German)
- Federal family portal — Advance maintenance payments (in German)
- Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf: Düsseldorf Table 2026 (in German)
In a dispute over the amount or with a shared custody model, a specialist family lawyer can help; for assistance and recording, the youth welfare office.