Although all parents should support their children financially, this isn't always the reality. Fortunately, the law in the United States is clear in the event that the father of your child is evading child support and makes himself scarce. The Bradley Amendment, passed in 1986, introduced strong enforcement of child-support laws, and allows ways for deadbeat parents to be located if necessary. Whether your child's father owes child support or not, there are ways to locate him.
Step 1
Talk to your lawyer or the district attorney in your area. If the father has a legal obligation to pay child support, the state should be able to assist you in finding him via the State and Federal Parent Locator Services (see Resources).
Step 2
Check with your state's Division of Motor Vehicles. In most states, failure to pay child support will result in a driver's license suspension, and the DMV in some states will help to locate a deadbeat parent.
Step 3
Consider hiring a private investigator if other legal options don't work or if the father has no legal obligation to pay child support. Check for a professional association of private investigators in your state to ensure the investigator you hire is using legal and ethical methods.
Tips and Warnings
- Try a simple Internet search. You might be surprised by what can turn up just by putting a person's full name into Google, Bing or an online white pages directory. Bring any information you find to the authorities if the father has become delinquent on child support.
