The following requirements must be met for the approval of advance maintenance payments:

• Your child is under 12 years old
• Your child is 12 to 17 years old and the following conditions are met:
  • Your child does not receive a citizen's allowance.
  • The maintenance advance can prevent your child from needing assistance.
  • You have a gross monthly income of at least EUR 600 and may receive supplementary citizen's allowance.
  • Child maintenance is not paid or is only paid in part or no or insufficient orphan's benefits are paid.
  • Your child is resident or habitually resident in Germany.
  • You may also be entitled if you live abroad with your child but are fully liable for income tax in Germany.
  • You are a single parent. You are also considered a single parent if you are widowed.
  • You and the child must live in the same household.
  • Foreign children are only eligible if they have certain residence permits.

• Application form
• additionally required, depending on the individual case
  • the birth certificate of the child concerned
  • the identity card of the single parent
  • confirmation of registration or information from the register of residents
  • for foreign children or parents:
    • identity card
    • valid proof of residence permit
  • Maintenance title:
    • current maintenance determination, maintenance certificate, judgment, order
  • In the case of separation of a marriage:
    • Divorce decree, letter from the lawyer about the date of separation, if applicable
  • for unmarried parents:
    • Acknowledgment or establishment of paternity
  • Proof of income:
    • Child benefit
    • Half-orphan's pension, if applicable
    • Maintenance payments, if applicable
  • If applicable, approval or cessation notices regarding benefits under the Maintenance Advance Act from other maintenance advance funds
  • From the age of 12, if you are currently receiving SGB II benefits, a complete, up-to-date notification from the job center
  • From the age of 15, additionally the school certificate or, from the end of school attendance, proof of income.

The following information is available:

• Children between the ages of 12 and 17 are only entitled to an advance on maintenance payments if the child is not dependent on SGB II benefits, if the child would not be dependent on SGB II benefits with the advance on maintenance payments or if the single parent receiving the citizen's allowance earns a gross income of at least EUR 600.
• The other parent must repay the maintenance advance to the maintenance advance office. If the person obliged to pay maintenance does not pay, the maintenance advance office can sue for repayment and enforce it.