What is the purpose of this service?
By establishing paternity and establishing and enforcing court ordered child support, the Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED) seeks to ensure that non-custodial parents live up to their financial responsibilities in the raising of their children.
Who can receive these services?
Any custodial parent who has physical custody of a child and who needs assistance in obtaining child support payments may apply for services.
Any non-custodial parent may apply to have genetic testing performed or to have an existing support order reviewed.
How are the services provided?
Cases are assigned to one of five Regional Offices for all establishment and enforcement activity based on where the non-custodial parent lives. If the non-custodial parent lives in another state, the case is assigned to a Regional Office based on where the custodial parent lives. This method of assignment ensures that jurisdictional issues are satisfied and that enforcement remedies comply with state and federal law.
The Regional Offices work with the county Clerks of Court for the enforcement and collection of child support.
In cases where the non-custodial parent lives in another state, the Regional Office will work with the other state’s child support enforcement agency to establish and/or enforce court ordered support.
How to apply?
Any custodial parent receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Title IV-E Foster Care, or Medicaid benefits is automatically referred to the CSED for services at no charge.
Any custodial parent not receiving TANF, Title IV-E Foster Care, or Medicaid benefits may complete a Custodial Parent Application. There is a one-time, non-refundable application fee of $25. In addition, there is a $25 fee each year after the collection of the first $500 of child support.
Any non-custodial parent wishing to have genetic testing performed or wishing to have an existing child support order reviewed may complete a Non-Custodial Application. There is a one-time, non-refundable application fee of $25.
More Information & Resources
For further information, visit the Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED) web site.