District of Columbia Courts

Family Court Operations

The Family Court Operations Division receives and processes the following types of cases: child abuse and neglect, juvenile delinquency, adoption, divorce, custody, guardianship, visitation, paternity, child support , termination of parental rights, as well as mental health and habilitation. To the greatest extent practicable, feasible and lawful, cases involving members of the same family are heard by one judge in order to minimize court appearances, reduce the risk of conflicting court orders and ensure quality decisions based on the full knowledge of the issues affecting the family.

Central Intake Center

Family Court Central Intake Center (CIC) is the primary location for the dissemination of information to the public and the various governmental entities involved in Family Court cases.

Counsel for Child Abuse and Neglect

The Counsel for Child Abuse and Neglect (CCAN) Office is a branch of the Family Court of the District of Columbia Superior Court. The CCAN Office maintains a list of qualified attorneys who are available for appointment in child abuse and neglect cases

Domestic Relations Branch

The Domestic Relations Branch processes case filings, via the Family Court Central Intake Center, for divorce, annulment, legal separation, custody, visitation, standby guardianship, foreign judgments, foreign subpoenas, and adoptions.

Family Treatment Court

The Family Treatment Court was created as a result of a partnership between the Family Court and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Children, Youth, Families, and Elders, and is in cooperation with key District health and human services stakeholders.

Fathering Court

The Family Fathering Court Initiative was created in response to the District’s significant need to provide services to fathers who are unable to maintain healthy relationships with their children and or to provide adequate financial support for their well being.

Juvenile and Neglect Branch

The Juvenile and Neglect Branch processes cases involving juvenile delinquency, child abuse and neglect, persons in need of supervision (PINS), and other status offender related cases such as truancy and runaway cases.

Marriage Bureau

The Marriage Bureau Section of the Domestic Relations Branch in the Family Court Operations Division issues marriage licenses and minister authorizations for marriages to be performed in the District of Columbia. The Bureau also maintains a list of officiants who perform civil marriages in the Moultrie Courthouse.

Mental Health and Habilitation Branch

The Mental Health and Habilitation Branch of the Family Court processes matters relating to the hospitalization and continued treatment of persons in need of mental health services and persons with intellectual disabilities.

PARENTAGE AND SUPPORT BRANCH

The Parentage and Support Branch of the Family Court is the primary location for processing all cases seeking the establishment of paternity and or child support. The branch is also responsible for processing bench warrants (arrest) orders.

Family Court Self-Help Center

The Family Court Self-Help Center is a free walk-in service that provides unrepresented people with general legal information in a variety of family law matters (such as divorce, custody, visitation, child support).

Resources

Videos to Help You in Family Court (D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center on YouTube) Family Court Panel Application Forms Help Online-Family Alternative Service (Website Posting) Family Court Conference The Family Court Act of 2001 - P.L. 107-114 Family Court Annual Reports Mayor's Services Liaison Office Family Court Legal Service Providers

Contact

Family Court

Presiding Judge: Hon. Darlene M. Soltys
Deputy Presiding Judge: Hon. Kelly Higashi
Director: Avrom D. Sickel, Esq.
Deputy Director: Toni F. Gore

Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001

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Hours of Operation

Monday-Friday:
8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Telephone Numbers

(202) 879-1212

Family Court Operations

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"Open to All, Trusted by All, Justice for All"

District of Columbia Courts | (202) 879-1010

"Open to All, Trusted by All, Justice for All"

District of Columbia Courts | (202) 879-1010