Child maintenance applications: what to take to court

Prepare identity, income and expense records when applying for child maintenance at a magistrate’s court.

The Justice Department’s maintenance guidance directs applicants to the court in their district. If unsure, ask the local court where to apply.

Its checklist includes identification, certified copies of the children’s birth certificates, the latest three months’ bank statements and proof of income, such as payslips or a signed employer letter.

Bring a list of income and expenses, with supporting records such as grocery slips, school costs, medical bills and travel receipts. It also lists the responsible person’s full name and physical or work address, and a divorce decree where applicable.

The department says missing documents should not stop an applicant completing J101, Form A. Bring outstanding records later as directed by the maintenance office.

The claim is investigated; an application does not establish an award or payment amount. Ask court staff about the documents and steps relevant to your circumstances.

Official instructions checked on 10 November 2026; general information, not individual legal advice.

Contextual archive photograph of South Africa’s flag, taken on 31 October 2008; not a maintenance court, applicant or child. Photo: Chris Eason / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_South_Africa.jpg . Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ . Cropped and resized for display.