Victims' Rights forms
Do you need to apply for compensation?
This PDF includes frequently asked questions about crime victim compensation, instructions to apply and the application to print.
This is an online program to file a claim for crime victim compensation. You will need an NY.gov ID account. NY.gov ID accounts provides secure electronic access to this and other government services.
Updated 8/21/24
Family Law forms
Do you need a child support form?
This free program will help you fill out the petition that you will need to file in Family Court.
If the child support order is not being followed, you can use the Support Enforcement/Violation Petition. You can also use this program to ask the Court to change your support order.
This free program will help you fill out the papers that you will need to file in Family Court.
You can use this program to ask (or "petition") the Family Court to change a support order if there is a "change in circumstances." You can also use this program to ask the Court to enforce the support order if it is not being followed.
Do you need a custody form?
This is a PDF of form GF-17. This form allows you to ask (or "petition") the Family Court for custody or visitation.
This free program will help you fill out the petition that you will need to file in Family Court.
You can use the Custody/Visitation Enforcement Petition program if the custody or visitation order is not being followed.
This free program will help you fill out the petition that you will need to file in Family Court. Use this program if you need to change the custody/visitation order.
Do you need to legally show that a man is a child's father?
This free program will help you create the paternity petition you need to file in Family Court.You can use this program if you are the mother or the father.
This form must be voluntarily signed by both parents. This is a PDF that includes the instructions and the form.
Do you need divorce forms?
If you do not have any children under 21, you can use this free program to help you create the forms you need to file for divorce. If you do have children under 21, you can use these uncontested divorce forms.
Do you need a petition to get a Family Court Order of Protection?
This is the "Forms" section of the NY Courts website. You can find pdf and word versions of the Family Offense Petition.
Do you need information about your rights as a victim of domestic violence?
You can also find Information for Victims of Domestic Violence in several languages including Spanish, Bengali, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Korean, and Russian.
Didn't find what you were looking for?
- Find more information and forms from CourtHelp
- Find more information and forms on LawHelpNY
Updated 7/11/23
Safety forms
Are you concerned about your safety?
Print and file this Order of Protection in your county family court.
Print, complete and file this form in your county family court to keep your address confidential.
This is a PDF. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to use this program.
This a free program from the New York Department of State (NYDOS) that allows victims of domestic violence to shield their actual address. Participants are assigned a substitute address which they will use for receipt of all first-class, registered and certified mail. Go to the NYDOS website to read more about the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP).
This personalized safety planning tool from Aging Safely will help you prepare a free safety plan if you or a loved one are in an unsafe situation.
Individuals can use this interview if they are:
- An older adult (over 55), and
- Are suffering from or afraid of physical, emotional, or financial abuse, or
- A friend, family member, or non-legal advocate helping an older adult.
Do you need to report a violation of an existing Order of Protection?
If the Order of Protection started in Family Court, print, complete and file this Order of Protection in your county family court to report a violation and punish the violator.
Do you have an existing Order of Protection and are traveling or moving to another state?
This free program can create a cover sheet for your protection order. When you put the cover sheet on top of your protection order, it makes it easier for the courts and police in other states to enforce your order.
Updated October 18, 2021
Immigration forms
Do you need to file under VAWA?
This is a PDF form. You can visit the USCIS website to read the instructions about filing under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) or go straight to the form to print - Form I-360.
Do you need to submit a battered spouse waiver?
This is a PDF form. If approved, this allows the battered spouse or child to have the two-year limitation on their green cards removed without the assistance or knowledge of the abuser.
Do you need to file for a U Visa?
This is a PDF. A U Visa provides temporary immigration benefits to victims of crime, and to their qualifying family members.The instructions and application are available in PDF form - Form I-918.
Do you need to file for a T Visa?
Victims of human trafficking can apply for T Visa Nonimmigrant status using this PDF.
Money & Financial issues forms
Are you being sued for a debt?
This program can produce an Answer, Unfreeze Bank Account Letter, Improper Garnishment Letter, or Motion to Dismiss.
This free program helps you create the court papers to explain why you missed your court date or didn't answer a complaint and ask the judge to lift the judgment that was made against you in your absence.
Are you dealing with debt collectors?
Use this free program from LawHelpInteractive to create a letter to ask for debt forgiveness. You can use this letter when you owe a bill that you are unable to pay.
Did you receive a charge for something you did not buy or do not recognize?
Anyone who finds a charge in their Bank statement or who receives a bill for something they did not buy or charge can use this free program. Use this letter if you find a charge you don't recognize in your bills or bank statements.
Have you found a mistake on your credit report?
This free program helps you dispute an error in your credit report. Anyone who finds an error in their credit report can use this free program, for example:
- If you are denied insurance due to an error on your credit report
- If you are denied a loan due to your credit score
- If you get your free annual credit report and you see errors in it
Updated 10/28/21
Housing forms
Do you need to file a complaint?
If you believe you have experienced discrimination in renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities, you can file a complaint with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). You can also file a complaint if you believe you have been denied an equal opportunity to participate in a HUD program.
You can submit a complaint through this online form if your landlord did one of the following:
- did not return your security deposit
- charged more than one month's rent for your security deposit
- did not place your security deposit in a trust account
- did not pay interst on the deposit (if required by law)
- charged more than $20 for an application fee
Are you facing an eviction?
If you have received eviction papers, this program can help you create the Answer that you need to file in court.
Did you miss your court date and receive a default judgment?
If you missed your court date, you may have received notice of a default judgment against you. If there is a judgment against you, this free and easy program will ask you questions and make papers that help you tell a Judge why you missed your court date in a landlord-tenant nonpayment or holdover case.
Update 8.30.24
LGBTQ+ Rights & Hate Crimes forms
Are you looking to legally change your name?
This free program for NY state residents will help you fill out the form that you will need to file in court to change your name.
or,
This free program for NYC residents will help you fill out the form that you will need to file in court to change your name.
Do you need to report a hate crime?
If you don’t want to call the police, you can report what happened to these organizations. They can also connect you to people who can help:
Use this online form to report an experience of violence, such as hate violence, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and hook-up violence.
Use this online form to report incidents of hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning, and child bullying against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.
If you experienced a bias incident in areas such as employment, education, credit, purchasing or renting a home, or a public accommodation, go can file a complaint through this page. You can use the online form or download the print version.
Updated January 4, 2022
