The Child Support Enforcement (CSE) Program is a Federal/state/local 

partnership to collect child support: We want to send the strongest 

possible message that parents cannot walk away from their children. Our 

goals are to ensure that children have the financial support of both their 

parents, to foster responsible behavior towards children, to emphasize 

that children need to have both parents involved in their lives, and to 

reduce welfare costs. 

The Federal CSE Program was established in 1975 as Title IV-D of the 

Social Security Act. It functions in all states and territories, through the 

state/county Social Services Department, Attorney General's Office, or 

Department of Revenue. Most states work with prosecuting attorneys, 

other law enforcement agencies, and officials of family or domestic 

relations courts to carry out the program at the local level. Native 

American Tribes, too, can operate child support programs in the context 

of their cultures and traditions with Federal funding. 

State Child Support Programs locate noncustodial parents, establish 

paternity, establish and enforce support orders, modify orders when 

appropriate, and collect and distribute child support payments. While 

programs vary from state to state, their services are available to all 

parents who need them. 

The Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) is part of the 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It helps states develop, 

manage, and operate their programs effectively and according to Federal 

law. OCSE pays the major share of state program operating costs, 

provides location services, policy guidance and technical help to 

enforcement agencies, conducts audits and educational programs, 

supports research, and shares ideas for program improvement. 

We believe that child support enforcement provides hope as well as 

support to America's children. We dedicate this Handbook to the millions 

of parents who put their children first by responsibly providing for their 

emotional and financial support. 
OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT 

Giving Hope and Support to America's Children

HANDBOOK ON CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

Administration for Children and Families 

Office of Child Support Enforcement 

Washington, D.C. 20447 

Updated 2005 and 2008 
Foreword 

This Handbook on Child Support Enforcement is a guide to help you get 

the child support payments your children need and deserve. Although it 

is written for people who are working through Child Support 

Enforcement (CSE) offices, it will also be useful to parents who are 

working with private attorneys. 

To ensure that children have parentage established and to establish fair 

child support payments, state CSE programs provide: 

• Voluntary in-hospital paternity acknowledgement 

• Genetic testing at the request of either party in disputed 

paternity cases 

• Child support guidelines for determining child support orders 

established in each state 

• Review of child support orders at least every three years at the 

request of either parent 

Tools that are available to collect child support include: 

• Income withholding

• Revocation of drivers, professional, recreational and 

occupational licenses of parents who are not current in their 

child support payments 

• Seizure of assets, including financial accounts 

• Liens on property 

• Denial of passports 

• Federal and state tax refund offset 

To ensure that state and local child support offices have access to 

information, the Federal government operates the Federal Parent Locator 

Service (FPLS), which includes the Federal Case Registry (FCR) and the 

National Directory of New Hires (NDNH). The FPLS has access to 

information from state and Federal government agencies. The FCR 

maintains caseload information from all states and territories. 

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Child 

Support Enforcement (OCSE) has a website for people who have access 
to the Internet. The site provides current information about the CSE 

program, policy matters, state and Federal office addresses, links to state 

websites, a frequently asked questions section, and links to related 

agencies. The web address is: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse. 

* Words in italics are defined in the Glossary. 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

I. Introduction .................................................................. 1

 Who can get help... how to apply for services...what they cost 

II. Finding the Noncustodial Parent: Location ............................ 8 

 State and Federal resources 

III. Establishing Fatherhood: Paternity .................................... 13 

 Benefits...Voluntar y acknowledgement 

 

IV. Establishing the Support Order: Obligation ........................... 18 

 Guidelines...Review and modification ...Medical support 

V. Enforcement ............................................................... 24 

 Techniques that work 

VI. Distribution ............................................................... 36 

 Where does the money go? 

VII. ACF Healthy Marriage Initiative ...................................... 38 

 Connection with the Child Support Enforcement Program 

VIII. Working Across Borders -- Cooperation between States, 

Tribes, Countries ..................................................... 41 

 Interstate 41 

 Tribal 45 

 International 47 

IX. Noncustodial Parents’ Rights and Responsibilities .................. 50 

 Making sure the order is fair 

 Maintaining a bond with children 

X. Lessons Learned ............................................................. 56 

XI. Conclusion ................................................................. 61 
Appendix ....................................................................... 62 

 Glossary of Child Support Enforcement Terms 

 State Child Support Enforcement Offices 

 Regional Offices of the Office of Child Support Enforcement 

 Tribal Grantee Contact Information 

 Child Support Enforcement Records 
I. INTRODUCTION 

Are you a parent – divorced, separated or never married--with 

children to support?

Are you a noncustodial parent with questions about your rights and 

responsibilities? 

Do you need to locate a parent? ...establish paternity? ...get a child 

support order?

Do you need help to collect child support? 

Are you pregnant, or the parent of a child, and thinking about 

marriage? 

In this Handbook, you will find the basic steps to follow to establish 

paternity, to obtain a support order, and to collect the support due, 

whether you are working with your state, local, or tribal Child Support 

Enforcement (CSE) program or your own attorney. There is information 

for noncustodial parents about providing financial and emotional support 

to your children, about keeping in touch with them, and keeping support 

orders fair. Although the function of the CSE program is to collect and 

distribute child support payments, throughout the Handbook we hope to 

give the message that children fare best when both parents play an active, 

supportive role in their lives. 

The CSE Program is run by the states, usually in the Human Services 

Departments, Attorney Generals’ Offices, or Departments of Revenue. 

Several Native American tribes have established CSE programs as well. 

Child support enforcement is handled according to state or tribal laws 

and practices. The states and tribes determine the forum under which 

child support activities take place. In this Handbook, we will use the term 

"tribunal" to refer to the office (court, judicial, or administrative) with 

authority to make legally binding decisions. 

 1
The Handbook is organized so that you can refer directly to the sections 

you need. Your state's CSE program is available to help: 

• Find a noncustodial parent: Location 

• Establish legal fatherhood for children: Paternity

• Establish and maintain a fair, financial and medical support 

order: Obligation 

• Enforce support orders: Enforcement 

• Distribute the money that is collected: Distribution 

• With Interstate, Tribal, and International Enforcement: 

Working across Borders 

We have added sections to the Handbook to address: 

• The Child Support Program and Healthy Marriage: Healthy 

Marriage Initiative 

• Rights and responsibilities of the noncustodial parent: 

Noncustodial Parents 

• Child Support Program progress: Lessons Learned 

* Words in italics are defined in the Glossary. 

The more you take an active role in learning about the CSE program, and 

in getting information to your caseworker, the more success you will 

have in obtaining regular and full child support payments for your 

children. 

This Handbook gives basic information. To learn more about how the 

program will work for you, or to apply for child support services, call 

your local CSE office. Check the county listings in your telephone book 

to get the telephone number, or call or write the state CSE agency listed 

at the back of this Handbook. (CSE agency toll-free numbers, when 

available, are listed too.) 

 2
If you have access to the internet, there is a listing of CSE agencies at: 

http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.extivdlist 

State CSE websites often give the addresses and telephone numbers for 

local offices: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/extinf.html 

There is a listing of tribal CSE agencies at: 

http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.tribalivd

Un listado de las agencias de CSE en español se puede encontrar en: 

http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.extEspanolIVd

La información de la ayuda del niño en español está disponible en: 

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/fct/childspan.pdf

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/spanish/booklet.pdf

*** 

Property settlement, visitation and custody are not, by themselves, child 

support enforcement issues and the CSE Program generally cannot 

establish or enforce orders relating to them. However, each state receives 

grant money from the Federal Office of Child Support (OCSE) to 

develop model programs to ensure that children have access to both their 

parents. Your state CSE agency can tell you about the program in your 

state, and if there are other resources through the courts or other systems 

set up by the state. 

*** 

If unmarried parents have considered getting married, but need advice, 

there may be help available though community- or faith-based 

organizations that teach healthy marriage and parenting skills. These 

organizations can help couples make good decisions about getting 

married and about sustaining healthy relationships. There is solid 

evidence that children whose parents can develop a healthy marriage 

have greater financial and emotional security. Learning parenting skills 

(communication, responsibility, child development, etc.), even if the 

parents decide not to marry, will help them to provide their children with 

support and stability. The CSE agency may be able to guide parents to 

the resources available in their states. 

 3
Who can get help?

Any parent or person with custody of a child who needs help to establish 

a child support or medical support order or to collect support payments 

can apply for child support enforcement services. People who have 

received assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 

(TANF), Medicaid, and Federally assisted Foster Care programs are 

automatically referred for child support enforcement services. 

Either parent can get help to have a child support order reviewed at least 

every three years, or whenever there is a substantial change of 

circumstances, to ensure that the order remains fair. 

An unmarried father can apply for services to establish paternity -- a 

legal relationship with his child. 

A noncustodial parent whose case is not in the CSE Program can apply 

for services and make payments through the Program. Doing so ensures 

that there is a record of payments made. 

Location services are available for noncustodial parents whose children 

have been hidden from them in violation of a custody or visitation order. 

Although the majority of custodial parents are mothers, keep in mind that 

either the mother or father may have primary custody of the child. 

Where do I apply for help in obtaining child support?

You can apply through the state or local child support enforcement 

(CSE) office. Usually, applying to your local CSE agency is most 

effective; however, you have the right to apply to another tribunal if that 

will result in more efficient service. The telephone numbers for state 

CSE Agencies can be found in telephone directories, usually under the 

state/county social services agency, at the end of this Handbook, or on 

the state’s child support website. These sites are linked at: 

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/extinf.html

 4
What does the child support enforcement agency need to know?

No matter where you start -- establishing paternity, finding a 

noncustodial parent, establishing or enforcing a support order -- the CSE 

office must have enough information to work on your case effectively. 

All information you provide will be treated in confidence. The more 

details you provide, the easier it will be to process your case and to 

collect child support payments for your children. 

What documents do I need to bring to the enforcement agency?

Bring as much as you can of the following information and documents. 

This will help the CSE office to locate the parent, establish paternity, and 

establish and/or enforce your child support order. 

• Information about the noncustodial parent 

• name, address and Social Security number 

• name and address of current or recent employer 

• names of friends and relatives, names of organizations to which 

 he or she might belong 

• information about his or her income and assets -- pay slips, tax 

 returns, bank accounts, investments or property holdings 

• physical description, or photograph, if possible 

• birth certificates of children 

• if paternity is an issue, written statements (letters or notes) in which the 

alleged father has said or implied that he is the father of the child 

• your child support order, divorce decree, or separation agreement if you 

have one 

• records of any child support received in the past 

• information about your income and assets 

• information about expenses, such as your child’s health care, daycare, 

or special needs 

You play a big role in getting the child support your children deserve. 

 5
Is there an application fee?

People receiving assistance under Medicaid, Foster Care, or cash 

assistance programs do not have to pay for CSE services. For all others, a 

fee of up to $25 is charged, although some states absorb all or part of the 

fee or collect payment from the noncustodial parent. 

Are there any other costs?

Because child support agencies may recover all or part of the actual costs 

of their services from people who are not in a public assistance program, 

there may be other costs to parents. These can include the cost of legal 

work done by agency attorneys, costs of establishing paternity, and costs 

of locating a noncustodial parent. The costs may be deducted from the 

child support payment before it is sent to you or may be collected from 

the noncustodial parent. Not all states recover the costs of their services. 

Your local CSE office can tell you about the practices in your state. 

In addition, there is a $25 annual fee for those individuals who do not 

receive public assistance after the State has collected and disbursed $500 

on their behalf in a given year. In some States, this fee is charged to the 

noncustodial parent, in others it is charged to the custodial parent. States 

also have the option to pay the fee themselves or take it out of the child 

support collection. Your local CSE office can tell you about the practices 

in your state. 

My state recovers costs from the custodial parent. How will I know 

how much will be deducted from my support checks?

Your caseworker should be able to estimate the costs involved in your 

case, and give you an idea of how much they will deduct from each 

check before sending it to you. 

Will there be an extra cost if the enforcement agency is dealing with 

the enforcement agency in another state?

There may be extra costs if more than one tribunal is handling your case. 

Ask your caseworker to estimate these costs, if any. 

 6
Will the enforcement agency keep track of my child support 

payments to make sure they keep coming? I am not in a cash 

assistance program.

CSE offices are required to monitor payments to make sure they are 

made regularly and fully. But you should inform the agency if payments 

are late, in the wrong amount, or if you receive payments directly. When 

you monitor your case, you can keep the CSE office informed so that it 

can act quickly if needed. 

The noncustodial parent lives across the state. I cannot afford to take 

the time off from work or to travel there for a child support hearing. 

How can I get enforcement of my child support?

Most local CSE offices handle enforcement in different jurisdictions in 

the same state without your having to travel outside your own 

jurisdiction. Ask your local CSE office for details about how 

enforcement would work in your case. 

I am applying for TANF. Do I have to provide information about the 

father?

To be eligible for assistance programs, you must provide information to 

help to identify the father and collect child support from him. Any child 

support collected will be used to help support your children -- going 

either directly to you or to repay the state for your assistance grant. Your 

state CSE agency will explain how the child support will be used. 

I don't have any way to support my baby without help, but her 

father is dangerous. I'm afraid to tell the caseworker who he is.

If you think that you or the baby would not be safe if you try to establish 

paternity or collect child support, and you need to be in a cash assistance 

program, you can talk with your caseworker about showing good cause

for not naming the father. There are safeguards in place to protect you, 

such as a family violence indicator that can be placed in your records so 

that your personal information is not released to anyone who is not 

authorized to view it. 

 7
My children and I need money now. The noncustodial parent left us 

ten years ago. Can the CSE office still take my case?

If you apply for services, the CSE office will try to find the noncustodial 

parent to establish or enforce a child support obligation. Be sure to give 

your caseworker all the information you have that might help find the 

parent. 

 8
II. FINDING THE NONCUSTODIAL PARENT: LOCATION 

In most cases, to establish the paternity of a child, to obtain an order for 

support, and to enforce that order, the Child Support Enforcement (CSE) 

agency must know where the other parent lives or works. When one 

person makes a legal claim against another, the defendant must be given 

notice of the legal action taken and the steps necessary to protect his or 

her rights. To notify the noncustodial parent in advance under the state’s 

service of process requirements – for example, by certified mail or 

personal service – child support enforcement officials need a correct 

address. If you do not have the address, the CSE office can try to find it. 

The most important information that you can provide is the noncustodial 

parent's Social Security number and any employer that you know about. 

State/tribal CSE agencies, with due process and security safeguards, have 

access to information from the following: 

• State and local government: 

vital statistics 

state tax files 

real and titled personal property records 

occupational and professional licenses and business information 

employment security agency 

public assistance agency 

motor vehicle department 

law enforcement departments 

• Records of private entities like public utilities and cable television 

companies (such as names and addresses of individuals and their 

employers as they appear in customer records) 

• Credit bureaus 

• Information held by financial institutions, including asset and 

liability data. 

• The State Directory of New Hires, to which employers must 

report new employees 

• The Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS)

 9
The FPLS, which includes the Federal Case Registry (FCR) and the 

National Directory of New Hires (NDNH), has access to information 

from: 

• The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Department of 

Defense, the National Personnel Records Center, including 

quarterly wage data for Federal employees, the Social Security 

Administration, and the Department of Veterans Affairs 

• State Directories of New Hires (SDNH) 

• State Workforce Agencies (SWAs)

The FCR includes all IV-D child support cases from the 54 states and 

territories and non-IV-D support orders established after October 1998. 

The NDNH contains new hire records, quarterly wage records for almost 

all employed people, and unemployment insurance claims. 

If you have access to the internet, there is information about the FPLS at: 

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/newhire

I think the noncustodial parent is still in the area. What information 

will the enforcement office need to find him?

Most important are the Social Security number and any recent employer's 

name and address. Also helpful are the names, addresses and phone 

numbers of relatives, friends, or former employers who might know 

where he/she works or lives. Unions and local organizations, including 

professional organizations, might also have information. 

What if I don't have the Social Security Number?

Social Security numbers are now required on applications (not the 

licenses themselves) for professional licenses, drivers’ licenses, 

occupational and recreational licenses, and marriage licenses; on divorce 

records, support orders, and paternity determinations or 

acknowledgements; and on death records. 

If none of these is available, or the Social Security number was not yet 

required when the document was issued, the CSE office can subpoena

information about bank accounts, insurance policies, credit cards, pay 

 10
slips, or income tax returns. If you and the other parent filed a joint 

Federal income tax return in the last three years, the CSE office can get 

the Social Security number from the IRS. 

Your caseworker may be able to get the Social Security number with at 

least three of the following pieces of information: the parent's name, 

place of birth, date of birth, his/her father's name, and his/her mother's 

maiden name. 

What if the noncustodial parent cannot be found locally?

Your CSE office will ask the State Parent Locator Service (SPLS) to do 

a search. Using the Social Security number, the SPLS will check the 

records of state agencies such as the motor vehicle department, SWAs, 

state revenue department, law enforcement agencies, and correctional 

facilities. If the SPLS finds that the parent has moved to another state, it 

can ask the other state to search, and send a request to the Federal Parent 

Locator Service (FPLS). 

Can my lawyer or I ask the FPLS to find an address for the other 

parent?

Not directly. However, you or your attorney can submit a request to use 

the FPLS through the local or state CSE agency. 

If I hire a private collection service, can the state CSE agency 

provide location and income information? 

Yes. The private service must provide a guarantee in writing that the 

information is to be carefully safeguarded and only used for child 

support purposes, and it must have an agreement that meets state 

requirements for acting as an “agent of the child.” 

 11
Can state and Federal location efforts be made at the same time?

Yes. For instance, a search can be initiated by the state to another 

jurisdiction and to the FPLS at the same time. The FPLS matches child 

support case data with data in the FCR and with the employment data in 

the NDNH and has access to information from other Federal agencies. 

Locate information is returned to the state(s) for processing. 

Can enforcement agencies use the Federal income tax return to find 

out where the noncustodial parent lives and what he or she earns?

Yes. Under certain conditions, the IRS, working through the Federal 

Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE), may disclose to the child 

support office information that income providers submit on IRS Form 

1099. This information is a valuable tool to help find a noncustodial 

parent and determine his or her financial assets. The information may 

only be used for the purpose of enforcing child support payments. 

Information available through Form 1099 includes both earned and 

unearned income, including wages, earnings on stocks and bonds, 

interest from bank accounts, unemployment compensation, capital gains, 

royalties and prizes, and employer and financial institution addresses. 

Even very small businesses submit 1099 asset information to the IRS, so 

this can be a good source of information. Any information obtained from 

the IRS must be verified through a second source, such as an employer or 

bank, before the CSE agency can use it. 

What will happen when the caseworker has the current address of 

the noncustodial parent?

The worker will verify the home and work addresses, and take the next 

appropriate action on the case, which may include asking the 

noncustodial parent to come to the CSE office for an interview, or 

notifying him/her that legal action may be taken. 

The father of my child is in the military, but I don't know where he 

is stationed. Can the enforcement agency find him?

Yes. The FPLS can provide the current duty station of a parent who is in 

any of the uniformed services. 

 12
If the CSE office can't find the noncustodial parent, does that mean I 

can't get cash assistance?

No. You can get assistance from the TANF program if you are trying to 

help find the noncustodial parent. Your state or local CSE agency will 

tell you what information they will need you to provide in order to get 

assistance. 

 13
III. ESTABLISHING FATHERHOOD: PATERNITY 

A father can acknowledge paternity by signing a written admission or 

voluntary acknowledgement of paternity. All states have programs under 

which birthing hospitals give unmarried parents of a newborn the 

opportunity to acknowledge the father's paternity of the child. States 

must also help parents acknowledge paternity up until the child's 

eighteenth birthday through vital records offices or other offices 

designated by the state. 

Paternity can also be established at a court or administrative hearing or 

by default if the man was served notice of a paternity hearing but did not 

appear. Parents are not required to apply for child support enforcement 

services when acknowledging paternity. An acknowledgment of 

paternity becomes a finding of paternity unless the man who signed the 

acknowledgment denies that he is the father within 60 days. Generally, 

this finding may be challenged only on the basis of fraud, duress, or 

material mistake of fact. 

If it becomes necessary to seek child support, a finding of paternity 

creates the basis for the obligation to provide support. A support order 

cannot be established for a child who is born to unmarried parents until 

paternity has been established. 

It is important to establish paternity as early as possible. While Child 

Support Enforcement (CSE) offices must try to establish paternity for 

any child up to the child's 18th birthday, it is best to do it as soon after 

the child's birth as possible. If a man is not certain that he is the father, 

the CSE agency can arrange for genetic testing. These tests are simple to 

take and highly accurate. 

Even if the parents plan to marry after their baby is born, establishing 

paternity helps to protect the relationship between the child and the 

father from the very start. 

 14
What are the benefits of establishing paternity? 

In addition to providing a basis for child support, paternity establishment 

can provide basic emotional, social, and economic ties between a father 

and his child. There are strong indications that children whose fathers 

take active roles in their upbringing lead more successful lives. 

Once paternity is established legally, a child gains legal rights and 

privileges. Among these may be rights to inheritance, rights to the 

father's medical and life insurance benefits, and rights to social security 

and possibly veterans' benefits. The child also has a chance to develop a 

relationship with the father, and to develop a sense of identity and 

connection to the "other half" of his or her family. It can be important for 

the health of the child for doctors to have knowledge of the father's 

medical history. 

What will the CSE agency need to know to try to establish paternity? 

The caseworker needs as much information as you can provide about the 

alleged father and the facts about your relationship with him, your 

pregnancy, and the birth of your child. Some of these questions may be 

personal, but states must keep the information that you give confidential. 

The caseworker will also want to know whether he ever provided any 

financial support, or in any other way acknowledged – through letters or 

gifts – that that the child was his. A picture of the alleged father with the 

child is helpful, as well as any information from others who could 

confirm your relationship with him. 

What if he denies he is the father, or says he's not sure? 

Paternity can be determined by administrative procedures which take 

into account highly accurate tests conducted on blood or tissue samples 

of the man, mother and child. Genetic test results indicate a probability 

of paternity and can establish a legal presumption of paternity. These 

tests can exclude a man who is not the biological father and can also 

show the likelihood of paternity if he is not excluded. Each party in a 

contested paternity case must submit to genetic tests at the request of 

either party or the CSE agency.

 15
Because genetic testing is so accurate now, states are struggling with the 

question of what to do if paternity was established by acknowledgement 

or because the child was born during a marriage, but later testing proves 

that the man is not the biological father. Some states have procedures for 

disestablishing paternity. Often, though, when a father/child relationship 

has been established, states are reluctant to break that bond. State laws 

and practices determine whether or not paternity can be disestablished. 

If genetic tests are necessary, who pays for them?

If the state orders the tests, the state must pay the cost of the testing. If 

the father is identified by the tests, some states will charge him for their 

costs. 

If a party disputes the original test result, he or she can pay for a second 

genetic test and the state must then obtain additional testing. 

What happens if I am not sure who the father is?

If the father could be one of several men, each may be required to take a 

genetic test. These tests are very accurate, and it is almost always 

possible to determine who fathered a baby and to rule out anyone who 

did not. 

My boyfriend is on a military base abroad and I am about to have 

his baby. How can I establish paternity and get an order for 

support?

You can apply for child support enforcement services at your local CSE 

office. If he is willing to sign documents to acknowledge paternity and 

agree to support, then enforcement can proceed by an income 

withholding order. If the man is on a naval ship or lives on a military 

base abroad and will not acknowledge paternity, it may be necessary to 

wait until he returns to the United States for genetic testing to be done. 

The father of my child said I would never get a paternity judgment 

on him because he'd just leave the state. What happens in this case?

If the accused father fails to respond to a formal complaint properly 

served upon him, a default judgment may be entered in court. The default 

judgment establishes paternity. At the same time, a court order for 

 16
support may be issued. If the parent has disappeared, state and Federal 

Parent Locator Services can be called on to help find him. States must 

give full faith and credit to paternity determinations made by other states 

in accordance with their laws and regulations. 

My boyfriend and I are still in high school, and our baby is 6 months 

old. Why should legal paternity be established if the father has no 

money to support the child?

When the father gets older and starts working, he will be able to support 

the child. Having paternity established legally, even if the order for 

support is minimal or delayed, means collecting child support will be 

easier later. Aside from establishing a financial commitment from the 

father, establishing paternity fosters a personal relationship between the 

father and child. 

Some states have laws enforcing child support obligations with respect to 

minor parents. If a custodial parent is receiving TANF assistance, the 

parents of the noncustodial minor parent may be responsible for paying 

child support. Check with your CSE agency to see if your state enforces 

“grandparent liability.” 

My baby's father lives out of state. Can I still have paternity 

established?

Yes, you can. For example, if the baby was conceived in your state, if the 

father used to live there, or there is another basis for exercising personal 

jurisdiction, your state can claim "long arm" jurisdiction over him, and 

require that he appear for paternity establishment. If your state cannot 

claim jurisdiction, the CSE agency can petition the state where he lives 

to establish paternity. Your caseworker will be able to tell you what 

needs to be done in your case. 

What happens after paternity is established?

If it becomes necessary to establish a child support order, a CSE 

caseworker may discuss the child's financial and medical needs with the 

father and what he is required to pay for child support according to the 

state child support guidelines. If a court issues a child support order later, 

 17
it may also include the exact terms of custody, visitation, and other 

parental rights. 

I don't want my daughter's father in our lives. I'd rather work two 

jobs and support my child myself than have him establish paternity. 

As long as I don't receive public assistance, why does establishing 

paternity matter?

There are few situations when it is not in children's best interest to have 

paternity established. Knowing their father and having his emotional and 

financial support is very important to children. In the future, information 

may be necessary for medical reasons, and paternity establishment may 

make obtaining appropriate medical attention easier. Also, remember, the 

child's father has the right to request genetic testing to prove that he is the 

father and he can then establish the legal right to a relationship with his 

child. 

My child's father wants to declare paternity. Is there an easy way for 

him to do this?

All states offer parents the opportunity to voluntarily acknowledge a 

child's paternity until the child reaches the age of 18. Forms are available 

at the hospital or from the state vital records agency. More information is 

available from the CSE agency. 

 18
IV. ESTABLISHING THE SUPPORT ORDER: OBLIGATION 

If child support enforcement becomes an issue, it is necessary to have a 

legal order for child support spelling out the amount of the obligation

and how it is to be paid. Establishing a support order depends on how 

much success you and your caseworker or lawyer have in several critical 

areas, such as locating the noncustodial parent, if necessary; identifying 

what he or she should pay; and determining the financial needs of the 

child. 

All states have child support guidelines (a calculation of how much a 

parent should contribute to the child’s financial support) that must be 

used to establish support orders unless it is shown, in writing, that doing 

so is not in the best interest of the child. Most state guidelines consider 

the needs of the child, other dependents, and the ability of the parents to 

pay. States must use the guidelines unless they can be shown to be 

inappropriate in a particular case. 

Current law requires every IV-D child support order to include a 

provision for health care coverage, and the Child Support Enforcement 

(CSE) agency is required to pursue private health care coverage when 

such coverage is available through a noncustodial parent’s employer. 

Medical support can take several forms. The noncustodial parent may be 

ordered to: 

• provide health insurance if available through his/her employer, 

• pay for health insurance (health care coverage) premiums or 

reimbursement to the custodial parent for all or a portion of the costs 

of health insurance obtained by the custodial parent, and/or 

• pay additional amounts to cover a portion of ongoing medical bills or 

as reimbursement for uninsured medical costs. 

States today can have arrangements for establishing the support order by 

an administrative procedure or other expedited legal procedure. The 

hearing may be conducted by a master or a referee of the court, or by an 

 19
administrative hearings officer. An order approved by this kind of 

procedure, whether contested or made by agreement between the parties, 

must be based on the appropriate child support guidelines for setting a 

child support order and generally has the same effect as one established 

in court. It is legally binding on the parties concerned. 

If an agreement for support is made between the parents, it should 

provide for the child's present and future well-being. It may be useful to 

discuss these issues together if you can, or with a mediator or family 

counselor. You may call your CSE office or visit the state’s website to 

find out about your state's child support guidelines: 

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/extinf.html

What is the most important action that a custodial or non-custodial 

parent can take to ensure that the order amount is fair? 

 

The most important action is to appear at the support order hearing with 

the documents requested in the notification of the hearing. When both 

parents appear and bring the necessary documents, the tribunal making 

the determination will be able to make a fully informed and fair decision. 

How does the caseworker find out about the other parent's income 

or assets? 

The caseworker will make every possible effort to identify the parent's 

employment, property owned, and any other sources of income or assets. 

This information must be verified before the support order is final. Under 

certain situations, the Internal Revenue Service may provide financial 

information about the parent's earned and unearned income, such as 

interest payments and unemployment compensation. Employers are now 

required to report hiring people to the state, and the state then provides 

the information to the National Directory of New Hires (NDNH), which 

is a part of the Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS). The FPLS can 

provide income information from the NDNH and from states' quarterly 

wage records. The state CSE agency now has access to financial 

institution data, such as bank accounts and credit bureau data, which may 

provide information about employers and/or assets. 

 20
I'm sure the other parent is willing to pay support. Can we make an 

agreement between ourselves and present it to the court?

Laws vary from state to state, but parents who can work out a fair 

support agreement between themselves can avoid the discord that may 

occur with contested support hearings. You can get help from a lawyer, 

mediator or family counselor to present your proposal to the court or 

administrative hearing officer. The court's sole interest in your agreement 

is to see that it is fair to all parties, that the welfare of the children is 

protected, and that the agreement reflects the guidelines. 

Are the earnings of both parents considered in setting support 

awards?

Some states base their guidelines on both parents' incomes (an incomeshare model), some only on the income of the noncustodial parent (a 

percentage model). In the models based only on the noncustodial parent 

income, it is presumed that the custodial parent is contributing towards 

the child(ren)’s needs by providing care, food, clothing, and shelter. 

My wife and I are working out a joint custody agreement. How 

would the court decide the amount of child support for each of us?

That depends a lot on the terms of your custody agreement and on your 

state's child support guidelines: Some states have guideline formulas that 

take joint custody into account. The same factors would apply: state 

guidelines, each parent's ability to pay, and the needs of the child. 

My husband's income is enough to support the children and me 

without a drop in our standard of living after the divorce. Do the 

courts consider this?

These decisions, again, are based on the state's guidelines. However, 

when one or both parents have high income, the tribunal may decide that 

strict application of the guidelines is not in the best interest of the 

children. Such a decision may result in a higher and more appropriate 

support amount than the amount recommended by the guidelines. 

 21
I have custody and I just heard that my son's mother has had three 

promotions in the last four years but the child support is still like it 

was six years ago. Is there some way to find out when she has a 

raise?

CSE offices will review child support orders at least every three years, or 

if there is a significant change of circumstances, if either parent requests 

such a review. Some states have a procedure for an automatic update. 

Ask your caseworker for information about reviewing and, if 

appropriate, modifying your child support order. As part of the review, 

the caseworker will verify the current income of the noncustodial parent. 

States can adjust child support orders according to child support 

guidelines, a cost of living adjustment, or automated methods determined 

by the state. 

What can I do to get my support increased if it is too low? 

Check with your CSE office to see if your support order should be 

modified. The agency will consider the income and assets of the 

noncustodial parent; and, in many states, your financial situation; and 

any special needs of the child. If your support amount is found to be low 

based on the current financial situation, the agency can seek a legal 

modification. 

My ex-husband has remarried and has another family to support. 

How will this affect the support that my children are due?

Even though the noncustodial parent has a second family, this does not 

eliminate responsibility to the first family. In some states, the judge may 

grant the noncustodial parent a decrease in the obligation based on 

application of the child support guidelines. You must be notified 

beforehand and given an opportunity to contest the proposed change. 

Other factors that could lower the support order include increases in your 

earnings, or poor health or decreased earning ability of the noncustodial 

parent. If your child leaves school and becomes employed, that can 

reduce, or stop, child support payments, too. 

 22
My children's father is divorcing again and will have another child 

support order. He lives in another state and I'm afraid that this 

other order will be enforced before mine.

State guidelines may indicate how child support is to be shared when 

there is more than one support order. If his income will not provide for 

both orders, the amount of support for your children may be reduced, but 

you will receive a share of the support collected. For orders enforced by 

income withholding, states must have a formula for sharing the available 

income among the support orders. Each family must receive a portion of 

the available money, and current support has priority over arrearages. 

Depending on your state child support guidelines, it is also possible that 

the second support order may be grounds for his requesting a 

modification of your order. Ask your caseworker for more information. 

I am the custodial parent. I can't get health insurance with my job 

but my ex-wife gets good benefits where she works. Can she be 

required to put the children on her insurance?

Yes. The CSE agency must petition the court to include medical support

in any order for child support when employment related or other group 

health insurance is available to the noncustodial parent at a reasonable 

cost. Unless a custodial parent has satisfactory health insurance for the 

children other than Medicaid, he or she should petition the tribunal to 

include health insurance in new or modified support orders when health 

insurance is, or may be, available to the noncustodial parent at 

reasonable cost. 

If a custodial parent has access to better health insurance, the support 

order may increase the noncustodial parent’s obligation to offset the cost. 

Court orders can also be modified to include health care coverage. 

States must have laws that should make medical support enforcement 

easier. For example, insurers can no longer refuse to enroll a child in a 

health care plan because the parents are not married or because the child 

does not live in the same household as the enrolled parent. In addition, 

child support agencies can require an employer to include a child on a 

medical insurance plan when the noncustodial parent participates in a 

group health plan but does not enroll the child. 

 23
This law provides that custodial parents can obtain information about 

coverage directly from an insurer, submit claims directly to the insurer, 

and be reimbursed directly by an insurer. For specific information about 

these laws in your state, contact the CSE office. 

 24
V. ENFORCEMENT 

A main objective of the Child Support Enforcement (CSE) Program is to 

make sure that child support payments are made regularly and in the 

correct amount. While noncustodial parents who are involved in their 

children's lives are usually willing to pay child support, lapses of 

payment do occur. When they do, a family's budget can be quickly and 

seriously threatened. Some noncustodial parents do not pay regularly, 

and some spend a lot of effort and energy evading their responsibility for 

their children. The anxiety the custodial parent feels when payments are 

not regular can easily disrupt the family's life. 

For this reason, Congress decided that immediate income withholding

should be included in all child support orders. (States must also apply 

withholding to sources of income other than wages, such as commissions 

and bonuses; and to worker’s compensation, disability, pension, or 

retirement benefits.) For child support orders issued or modified through 

state CSE Programs, immediate income withholding began on November 

1, 1990. Immediate income withholding began January 1, 1994 for all 

initial orders that are not established through the CSE Program. The law 

allows for an exception to immediate income withholding if the tribunal

finds good cause, or if both parents agree to an alternative arrangement. 

In these cases, if an arrearage equal to one month's payment occurs, that 

will automatically trigger withholding. 

If the noncustodial parent has a regular job, income withholding for child 

support can be treated like other forms of payroll deduction, such as 

income tax, social security, union dues, or any other required payment. 

If payments are skipped or stop entirely, especially if the noncustodial 

parent is self-employed, moves or changes jobs frequently, or works for 

cash or commissions, the CSE office will try to enforce the support order 

through other means. Subject to due process safeguards, states have laws 

which allow them to use enforcement techniques such as: state and 

Federal income tax offset, liens on real or personal property owned by 

the debtor, freezing of bank accounts, orders to withhold and deliver 

property to satisfy the debt, passport denial, or seizure and sale of 

property with the proceeds from the sale applied to the support debt. 

 25
These methods can be used by the CSE office without directly involving 

the courts. 

All states have agreements with financial institutions doing business in 

their state for the purpose of conducting a quarterly data match known as 

the Financial Institution Data Match (FIDM). The purpose of FIDM is 

to identify accounts belonging to non-custodial parents who are 

delinquent in their child support obligations. Once identified, these 

accounts may be subject to liens and levies issued by state or local child 

support enforcement agencies. An institution doing business in two or 

more states (multi-state financial institution) has the option to conduct 

the quarterly data match with OCSE or with the states where the 

institution does business. States are responsible for issuing levies to the 

financial institutions to collect the past-due child support. 

Under the Passport Denial Program, states certify cases in which an 

obligor owes more than $2,500 in unpaid child support. The Office of 

Child Support Enforcement transmits the information to the Department 

of State so that a U.S. passport will not be issued, or renewed, to 

someone who is not supporting his or her children. Passports can be 

seized if the holder requests a change, such as a new address or an 

additional dependant. In some cases, the CSE agency can help to obtain a 

Federal warrant. The Department of State can then start procedures to 

revoke the passport or arrest the obligor at the border when he or she 

returns to the United States. 

If actions available through the CSE program are not successful, state 

CSE agencies can take cases to court for other enforcement actions such 

as show cause hearings, contempt of court proceedings, and criminal 

prosecutions. 

The noncustodial parent refuses to pay child support, but owns a 

good deal of property in the county. Can a lien be issued on the 

property?

Yes. However, a lien on property does not by itself result in the 

immediate collection of any money. It only prevents the owner from 

selling, transferring, or borrowing against the property until the child 

support debt is paid. Even so, the presence of a property lien may 

encourage the noncustodial parent to pay the past-due child support in 

 26
order to get clear title to the property. States are now required to give full 

faith and credit to liens issued by another state. 

Is it possible to collect the support payments from personal 

property?

Under some state laws, the enforcement official can issue an order to 

withhold and deliver. The order is sent to the person, company, or 

institution that is holding property belonging to the debtor, such as a 

bank account, investments, or personal property. The holder of the 

property must deliver it either to the enforcement agency or court that 

issued the support order. Some states permit the property to be attached 

or seized and sold to pay the debt. Some states require noncustodial 

parents with a poor payment history to pledge property as a guarantee of 

payment. Non-payment results in forfeiture of the property. 

Can I have the income withholding applied to my existing child 

support order?

Yes, you can apply for the income withholding through your local CSE 

office or your attorney. Though there are limits on how much of a 

person's check can be withheld, income withholding can be used for both 

ongoing support and arrearages. Ask the CSE agency how this can be 

done. 

Why can't my attorney work on my child support problem while I 

am receiving services from the child support program?

Your attorney can work with the child support program. For best results, 

the attorney and staff in the CSE agency should coordinate their efforts 

to prevent duplication of services and conflicting enforcement decisions. 

My child's mother works for a big company and has moved several 

times in her job. Can income withholding work in this case?

Yes. States must recognize the income withholding orders from other 

states, and continue the income withholding as ordered, without regard to 

where the noncustodial parent or the custodial parent and children live. 

 27
My ex-husband has a good job and is willing to have the payments 

deducted from his paycheck, but his employer won't do it. What can 

I do?

Under every state’s law, an employer must withhold the support if 

ordered to, or if the noncustodial parent requests it. If you run into 

problems with an employer, seek the assistance of your CSE office. The 

state CSE agency staff will send the employer a withholding notice 

which is binding on the employer. An employer who fails to withhold 

the income in accordance with the notice is liable for the accumulated 

amount that should have been withheld from the noncustodial parent’s 

income. Employers who have questions about income withholding can 

find information and contacts on the Office of Child Support 

Enforcement (OCSE) website: 

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/newhire/employer/home.htm 

The children's father works irregularly and is paid in cash. Income 

withholding won't work for me. What will?

Automatic billing, telephone reminders, and delinquency notices from 

your CSE office might convince him to make regular payments. Other 

techniques, such as property attachment, credit bureau reporting, tax 

refund offset, and liens might work for the arrearages. States can suspend 

or revoke drivers, professional, occupational, and recreational licenses if 

an arrearage develops. If none of these is successful, your enforcement 

office can take the case to court for stronger enforcement methods. 

My ex-wife has her own computer programming service. How can 

the CSE office find out how much she earns, and how can they 

collect the money? 

The CSE office has access to information from the Internal Revenue 

Service to determine her income and assets. This information will help to 

set the support order amount. 

Cases involving self-employed noncustodial parents can be challenging 

to work, and often take more time and effort. If it is not possible to 

arrange for an allotment or withholding, it may be possible to secure 

liens on her payments from regular clients or to garnish her bank 

account. If her business depends on having a license, she may make 

 28
arrangements to pay rather than risk losing her license. Knowing that 

arrears will be reported to a credit bureau may give her a strong incentive 

to comply with the order. Provide your caseworker with as much 

information as you can about the business and her clients. 

My children's father owns a cross-country moving van. Why won't 

the child support office put a lien on it?

Most states will not attach property which a person needs to make a 

living. Talk to your caseworker about what kinds of property are 

available for liens and attachment in your state. 

Can past-due child support be taken from the state income tax 

refund?

All states with state income tax must have laws that require the offset of 

state income tax refunds to collect past-due child support. The money 

first goes to satisfy current support due for that month, next for past-due 

support owed to families, and finally to states to repay cash assistance 

provided the family. 

How does the non-paying parent find out that his or her state tax 

refund will be taken?

The state must notify the noncustodial parent in advance of taking the 

action. The notice specifies the amount owed in arrears and the amount 

to be offset. It also tells whom to contact if the person wants to contest 

the offset. 

Can Federal income tax refunds be offset the same way?

Yes, states can request an offset of Federal tax refunds for past-due 

support over $500 owed to families on behalf of both minor and nonminor children, as well as over $150 owed to states that have provided 

assistance. States may choose how they distribute collections from 

Federal tax refund offsets. Some states pass some or all of the offset 

collections through to the family. Others apply some or all of the offset 

collections to money owed the state and Federal governments for 

assistance provided before they are distributed to families who are owed 

support. 

 29
My ex-spouse is in the Army. How do I go about having child 

support payments deducted from a paycheck? And can I get medical 

coverage for my child?

Members of the military are subject to the same income withholding 

requirements as other public or private employees. If a service member is 

not meeting a support obligation, an income withholding order can be 

sent to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) Center in 

Cleveland, Ohio. Ask your CSE office for information on how to start 

this action. There is information on the OCSE website at: 

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/fct/militaryguide2000.htm

DFAS also has useful child support information: 

http://www.dfas.mil/militarypay/garnishment/supp-qa.html

http://www.dfas.mil/militarypay/garnishment.html

To get medical coverage for a child of a military member, the child must 

be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System 

(DEERS). There is information available at: 

http://www.tricare.mil/deers/general.cfm

Contact the Defense Manpower Data Center support office for 

enrollment information. 

800-334-4162 (California only) 

800-527-5602 (Alaska and Hawaii only) 

800-538-9552 (all other states) 

My children's father retired from the Navy when he was only 

40, just before our divorce. Can his military retirement check 

be garnished for back child support? 

Yes, it is possible to garnish the income of retired members of the 

military. With the assistance of your caseworker or lawyer, you can get a 

garnishment order from the court and send it with a certified copy of 

your child support order to DFAS (as above). Your local enforcement 

office can tell you the exact procedures and follow through on your 

behalf. 

 30
The children's mother works for the Federal government. She was 

recently transferred and stopped making payments. What do I have 

to do to get them started again?

All Federal employees are subject to income withholding, and there is a 

central payment office for each Department, so moves within the 

Department should not affect an income withholding order. If you do not 

have a formal support order, ask a child support office or an attorney 

about establishing one. If you have a child support order, your CSE 

office or attorney can help you to secure payments by income 

withholding. If she has moved to a different Department, the Federal 

Parent Locator Service (FPLS) can provide her new location. 

My child’s father is a contractor who receives payments from the 

Federal Government. Can the Federal payments be seized for back 

child support? 

Various types of payments can be seized through Administrative Offset to 

pay child support. They include both recurring and one-time payments. 

Types of payments that can be intercepted include payments to private 

vendors who perform work for a government agency, federal retirement 

payments, and relocation and travel reimbursements owed to federal 

employees. Some payments cannot be intercepted through this program. 

They include Veterans Affairs (VA) disability benefits, federal student 

loans, some Social Security payments, Railroad Retirement payments, 

Black Lung benefits, and payments made under certain programs based 

on financial need, or those that are excluded by the head of the Federal 

agency that administers them. 

A case is eligible for an Administrative Offset when the non-custodial 

parent owes at least $25 in past due support and is at least 30 days 

delinquent in his or her child support payments. People who owe child 

support debts subject to Administrative Offset will be notified via a PreOffset Notice, which also includes information about the Federal Tax 

Refund Offset and Passport Denial programs. The Pre-Offset Notice also 

provides information about how to contest the debt amount. 

States must submit to OCSE those cases that meet the criteria for the 

Federal Tax Refund Offset Program. The states use the same process to 

submit to the Administrative Offset Program. When a match occurs 

 31
between the records of people who owe child support debts and the 

payment records for Federal payees, the Financial Management Service 

(FMS) in the Department of the Treasury will seize the amount and 

transmit it to the state, through OCSE. FMS will also send a notice to the 

non-custodial parent explaining the type of offset that occurred and 

referring him or her to the appropriate child support agency for further 

information.

The father of my child is in jail. Can I get support?

Past-due support may accumulate while the father is in jail. But unless he 

has assets, such as property, bank accounts, or any income such as wages 

from a work-release program, it is unlikely that support can be collected 

while he is in jail. You might write to the warden of the prison and ask if 

any provision is made for a prisoner to provide support for his children. 

Depending on state law, your support order may be modified so that 

payment is deferred or forgiven until he is released and working. (Some 

states will do this so that the arrearage when he is released is not so great 

that he might hide, but will seek work and resume payments.) 

If he is in a Federal Correctional Facility, in addition to seizing available 

outside assets and income, if any, there also is a possibility that you can 

get child support payments from the inmate’s prison account. According 

to the Bureau of Prisons instruction, the withdrawal of funds from an 

inmate’s account is strictly voluntary. Child support obligations are listed 

as the fourth priority of funds that can be withdrawn. You, or your 

caseworker, will need to find out who the inmate’s case manager is and 

write a letter to that person. Any correspondence to the case manager 

needs to specifically indicate that child support obligations are to be 

considered pursuant to the Inmate Financial Responsibility Program. If 

funds are not received, it may be due to the fact that the inmate has 

refused to make payment, or that the inmate is making payments that 

have priority over the child support payments. Contact with the case 

manager can verify whether or not the inmate is cooperating and willing 

to meet the child support obligations. (The Bureau of Prisons website has 

information about locating a prisoner: http://www.bop.gov/) 

 32
The children's father lost his job and is collecting unemployment 

compensation. Can child support payments be deducted and sent to 

me?

Yes. Unemployment compensation, and other state and Federal benefits 

can be tapped for child support. Ask your caseworker about the 

procedures, and make sure you tell your caseworker immediately if you 

learn about changes in the father's employment situation. 

By my own calculation, my ex owes me $3,475 in past due child 

support. Can the enforcement agency try to collect it for me?

If this support was owed before the CSE office became involved in your 

case, the CSE office will have to verify the amount owed, and you may 

have to present evidence of the debt to a court before collection 

procedures can start. While the debt is being verified, the agency can try 

to collect support payments for current months. 

I heard that my children's father is buying a very expensive car. He 

owes over $5,000 in back support. Can the credit agency be told this?

Yes. By law, the CSE office must periodically report the amount of pastdue child support to credit reporting agencies. Consult your caseworker 

for more information. 

The other parent does not work regularly and keeps falling behind 

in child support payments. Is there any way to establish regular 

payment?

As mentioned at the beginning of this section, property liens and 

attachments might work. In certain cases, state law also authorizes that 

the parent be required to post security, bond, or other guarantees to cover 

support obligations. These guarantees may be in the form of money or 

property. Ask your enforcement caseworker if other forms of payment 

might be applied to your case. 

 33
My ex-wife has declared bankruptcy and says she doesn't have to 

pay child support. Is that true?

Child support payments generally cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. 

This means that the parent who owed child support cannot escape this 

duty by filing for bankruptcy. As of October 1994, bankruptcies do not 

act as a stay, or hold, on actions to establish paternity or to establish or 

modify child support obligations. The relationship between child support 

and bankruptcy is complex, and you may need the help of someone 

familiar with bankruptcy law. Ask your caseworker how the CSE office 

can help. 

My daughter's father says that since he gives her gifts and money he 

does not have to pay child support.

An order for support specifies how support is to be paid and gifts or 

payments made outside the order are generally not considered a credit 

against the ordered child support amount. If he is not paying as ordered, 

check with the CSE agency about enforcing the order. If you do not have 

a support order, you can talk with staff in the CSE agency about 

establishing one. 

The child support office is not enforcing my case. Can I take it to a 

Federal Court?

If your caseworker and state CSE office have had no response to their 

requests for enforcement in another jurisdiction, it is possible for the case 

to be heard by a Federal court. This is not done often, and the decision to 

use a Federal court will be made by Federal investigators with help from 

the referring child support agency. The U.S. Attorney that has 

jurisdiction in your area makes the final decision about whether to 

prosecute. If you are not satisfied with the services you are receiving in 

your local CSE office, you may ask your state CSE agency for help. 

State agency addresses and phone numbers are listed at the end of this 

Handbook. They are also provided on our website, where we try to post 

changes as soon as we learn of them: 

http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.extivdl

ist

 

 34
In Section VI: Working Across Borders, there is information about 

Federal enforcement in cases in which the noncustodial parent lives in 

another state and is actively evading a support obligation. 

My children are over 18 and don't get child support any more, but 

there is still a $10,000 arrearage owed to me for support that was 

never paid. Will the CSE office collect that money for me?

State statutes of limitations determine how long the CSE Office can try 

to collect on a child support debt. Within this period, the CSE office is 

required to collect verified back support. Ask your CSE office for more 

information. 

Can my children be provided for if my ex-husband dies?

In most cases, the estate of the deceased noncustodial parent may only be 

responsible for satisfying any past-due support. In addition, the child 

may already be a beneficiary of that estate. See your local CSE office for 

assistance or guidance on filing an appropriate claim in probate court. 

Continued future support should be planned for by both parents and, in 

addition to verifying eligibility for Social Security and similar survivor 

benefits, parents should consider drafting appropriate wills and securing 

appropriate life insurance policies. 

My ex-husband inherited a house and a sizeable amount of money 

from his parents. He already had some income and property. Now he 

doesn't have to work, and he put everything into his brother's name 

and got his child support reduced to the state minimum.

His action may constitute a “fraudulent transfer.” Check with the state 

CSE agency to see if it would be considered as such under state law and 

if the property transfer can be voided. In addition, courts can establish a 

support order based on imputed income -- the amount that someone 

would be able to pay if he or she had not voluntarily lowered his income 

or transferred his or her assets. Your CSE agency can provide 

information about a possible review of the order if the amount was 

reduced because of his actions. 

 35
My case is difficult and the state is having a hard time collecting 

from my ex-spouse. I’m thinking about contacting a private 

collection agency. What information is available about them?

A private collection agency (PCA) is a privately owned, for-profit 

business that, for a fee, helps parents collect child support. OCSE 

recognizes a parent’s right to choose to work with a PCA. However, 

parents should make informed choices. If you hire a PCA, make sure that 

you understand your rights and obligations under the contract before you 

sign. If you have access to the internet at home or at a public library, 

OCSE has developed an Information Memorandum that includes 

information that you might consider if you are thinking of using a PCA. 

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/pol/IM/im-02-09a.htm

Do I have to close my case with the state CSE agency to hire a PCA?

The state cannot require you to close your case simply because you hired 

a PCA. A PCA may require that you close your case with the state as a 

condition of your contract. If you do close your case with the state, the 

following collections services may not be available: tracking changes in 

the noncustodial parent’s employment through the National Directory of 

New Hires; interception of state and Federal tax refunds and lottery 

winnings; passport denial; and license revocation or suspension. 

 36
VI. DISTRIBUTION 

It is important that families receive their child support payments as 

quickly as possible. Any delay can quickly and seriously threaten a 

family's budget. For this reason, states are required to distribute most 

payments within two days of their receipt. When two states are involved, 

each one must send payments out within two days. Each state has 

established a State Disbursement Unit (SDU) -- a single unit to receive 

and send out payments for child support. These SDUs are intended to 

get payments out with a minimum of turnaround time. They have the 

additional advantage of providing a single place in the state to which 

employers can send child support payments collected from their 

employees. 

State SDUs are responsible for: 

• receipt and disbursement of all payments; 

• accurate identification of payments; 

• prompt disbursement of the custodial parent’s share of any

payment; 

• furnishing to any parent, upon request, timely information 

on the current status of payments under a support order; 

and

• maintaining a statewide record of support orders. 

Families who receive public assistance under the Temporary Assistance 

to Needy Families (TANF) program, must assign their right to child 

support to the state. States have the option to “pass through” child 

support collections to families who receive TANF ($100 for 1 child/$200 

for 2 or more children) without reducing the assistance payment. 

After the family leaves the assistance program, the total current support 

collection goes to the family. Amounts collected beyond the amount 

ordered as current support are considered to be payments towards 

arrearages owed to the family and/or to the state/Federal Government. 

 37
Under current laws, families receive their post-assistance arrears before 

the state collects money to repay the government for the assistance 

payments. 

Will I receive the entire amount of support paid?

If you have not received cash assistance, you will receive the total child 

support payment (less any fees the state may collect). If you are 

receiving cash assistance, check with your state CSE agency. Some states 

will pass some or all of the child support payments through to you. 

Others will use the entire amount to repay the money provided to your 

family. If you are not receiving cash assistance now but did in the past, 

and if amounts are still owed to the state, any support collected beyond 

the amount ordered for current support and for arrearages owed to you 

may be used to reduce the arrearages owed to the state. 

I am working with a private collection service. Can the collection 

agency ask to have my child support payments sent there?

Orders established after 1993 require that wage withholdings are sent 

through the State Disbursement Unit (SDU). State IV-D programs can 

send payments in the custodial parent’s name to the address that he or 

she provides, including a private agency that you delegate to be the agent 

of your child for collection purposes, unless otherwise prohibited by state 

law. 

My child’s father told me weeks ago that his tax refund was taken 

for child support. When will I get the money? 

It usually takes three to five weeks from the time the money is offset 

from the obligor's tax refund until the state receives it. The Department 

of the Treasury has encouraged states to hold collections from joint tax 

returns for up to six months in case the obligor’s spouse who does not 

owe child support files for his or her share of the refund. The Office of 

Child Support Enforcement and Treasury Department will be working 

together to provide information to the states if the spouse has filed a 

claim for his or her part of the refund and has received the money. States 

will be able to distribute the offset to the family when they receive that 

information. Check with your CSE agency to see if the money has been 

collected and, if so, when you can expect to receive it. 

 38
VII. ACF HEALTHY MARRIAGE INITIATIVE 

The U.S. DHHS Administration for Children and Families (ACF) 

Healthy Marriage Initiative began in 2003. Its mission is to help couples 

who choose to get married to gain greater access to marriage education 

services that will enable them to acquire the skills and knowledge 

necessary to form and sustain a healthy marriage. 

Research indicates that children in stable two-parent families do better, 

on average, than those from single-parent households. Section 1115 of 

the Social Security Act (Act) authorizes the Secretary to test new uses of 

child support funds if he determines that these uses are likely to further 

the objectives of the Act, improve the financial well-being of children, or 

otherwise improve the operation of the child support program. 

Section 1115 authorizes the Secretary to conduct demonstration projects 

designed to meet the objectives of the Child Support Enforcement 

program, such as: 

• locating absent parents;

• establishing paternity when needed;

• establishing child support orders; and

• enforcing child support orders when needed.

One of the main activities of the demonstration projects will be teaching 

skills to help couples to communicate better, manage their emotions 

more effectively when they disagree and be better parents for their 

children. Skills that help parents work cooperatively should also 

increase voluntary paternity establishment for children born out of 

wedlock. Even when couples are unable to sustain a healthy marriage, 

parents who can work together are more likely to agree to fair support 

orders and to provide financial and emotional support for their children. 

 39
What is the connection between Child Support Enforcement and the 

ACF Healthy Marriage Initiative? 

The purpose of the Healthy Marriage Initiative is to test new strategies in 

communities to strengthen the child support program’s ability to promote 

the financial well-being of children by integrating healthy marriage and 

healthy parental relationship skills building into the existing range of 

child support enforcement activities. Funded projects will provide 

information and skills primarily to couples with children who are 

considering marriage. It is important for unmarried parents to realize 

that voluntarily establishing paternity is a giant step towards ensuring 

that a child can depend on both parents. It is not the beginning of an 

adversarial child support proceeding. These programs will explain to 

parents that paternity establishment does not mean abandoning the hope 

of marriage. Couples can get the information and skills they need to 

make good decisions about getting married and establishing paternity. 

These are compatible actions, both of which are important aspects of 

taking responsibility for one’s family. 

Will funding of these projects divert funds from establishing and 

collecting child support? 

No. There is no reduction in the amount of Federal or state funds 

dedicated to supporting the services currently being provided by the IVD program to families and children as a result of these projects. The 

Federal funds for the project will add to the total being spent on the IV-D 

program. The state funds to provide matches for these federal funds are 

donated funds. They do not come from state child support enforcement 

agency funds that would otherwise be used to operate the child support 

program. Section 1115 allows the Department of Health and Human 

Services to treat donated funds as state funds to be matched with the 

federal funds. 

How will the outcomes of these projects be measured? 

These projects are designed to produce positive outcomes, but it is 

precisely the purpose of Section 1115 projects to test ideas that hold the 

promise of increasing paternity establishment and financial support of 

children. The Department will conduct a comprehensive, high quality 

 40
evaluation to assess just how these programs affect families and children, 

and the operation of the Child Support Program. The evaluation will be 

designed in partnership with research organizations, academic 

researchers, foundations and the states and local entities conducting the 

projects. 

Does the Healthy Marriage Initiative risk pushing women into 

unhealthy marriages? 

No. Healthy marriage projects are intended to help people form healthy 

and respectful relationships and marriages that reduce the risk of abuse 

and violence. Domestic abuse and violence are serious problems. 

Healthy marriage projects do not push people into marriages, but help 

them understand how healthy relationships and marriages work and help 

them assess their own relationships realistically. All ACF supported 

activities must include appropriate attention to potential issues of 

domestic violence, and every opportunity must be taken to ensure the 

safety of victims or potential victims. 

 41
VIII. WORKING ACROSS BORDERS

COOPERATION BETWEEN STATES, TRIBES, COUNTRIES 

Interstate/Inter-jurisdictional Enforcement

It has been difficult to collect child support when the parent obligated to 

pay child support lives in one jurisdiction and the child and custodial 

parent live in another. However, all state and tribal IV-D Child Support 

Enforcement (CSE) agencies are required to pursue child support 

enforcement, including location, paternity establishment, and 

establishment of support obligations, as vigorously for children who live 

outside their borders as for those under their own jurisdiction.

With the enactment of the Full Faith and Credit for Child Support 

Orders Act, and the Federal mandate that all states enact the Uniform 

Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), interstate enforcement of child 

support obligations is improving. Tribes have not been required to enact 

UIFSA in order to receive Federal funding for child support programs as 

states have been required to do. However courts of all United States 

territories, states and tribes must accord full faith and credit to a child 

support order issued by another state or tribe that had jurisdiction over 

the parties and the subject matter. UIFSA includes a provision designed 

to ensure that, when more than one state is involved, there is only one 

valid child support order which can be enforced for current support. The 

law also includes a provision that allows a IV-D agency to work a case 

involving an out-of-jurisdiction obligor directly if certain conditions are 

met. 

UIFSA has procedures under which an enforcement official (or private 

attorney) can refer a case to another tribunal within the United States. 

The laws can be used to establish paternity and to establish, modify, or 

enforce a support order. 

Interstate income withholding can be used to enforce a support order in 

another jurisdiction if the noncustodial parent's employer is known. 

Under UIFSA, income withholding can be initiated in one state and sent 

 42
directly to an employer in another without involving the CSE agency in 

that state. Laws vary and you will need to ask your caseworker whether 

this option is available in your case. 

State CSE Agencies all have an office called the Central Registry to 

receive incoming interstate child support cases, ensure that the 

information given is complete, send cases to the right local office, and 

respond to inquiries from out-of-jurisdiction CSE offices. Standard forms 

make it easier for state and tribal caseworkers to find the information 

they need to enforce a case, and to be sure they are supplying enough 

information for another jurisdiction to enforce their case. 

I know the out-of-state address of my children's father, and my 

caseworker sent a petition to establish my support order there. That 

was three months ago, and still no support payments. What's wrong?

It may be any number of things: enforcement officials may not be able to 

serve notice on the noncustodial parent due to inadequate address 

information; if a hearing is necessary, it may take a while to get a court 

date. Generally speaking, a state must complete service of process to 

begin an action within 90 days of locating the noncustodial parent, and 

the majority of orders should be established within six months from the 

date of service of process. Continue to keep in touch with your 

caseworker to resolve any delay or to provide any new information you 

may have. 

I need to establish paternity for my child, and the father lives in 

another part of the country. How does this work?

The fact that you and the person presumed to be the father live in 

different jurisdictions will not keep you from pursuing a paternity 

establishment action. Your state may be able to claim jurisdiction and 

establish paternity if the father has lived there, the child was conceived in 

your state, or there is another basis for the exercise of personal 

jurisdiction. Otherwise your state can petition the other jurisdiction to 

establish paternity under their laws. Often, genetic tests will be ordered 

to help prove paternity. Ask your caseworker for specific information 

about the laws in your state and the state where the other parent lives. 

 43
My caseworker filed an interstate petition for paternity. The father 

denied it, and the other court just dismissed the case. What went 

wrong?

A responding CSE office should not dismiss a case without asking for 

the information it needs. The initiating state is required to provide that 

information within 30 days. (Tribal IV-D agencies do not have this 

requirement.) Either party in a contested paternity action can request 

blood or genetic testing. Ask your caseworker to reopen the case. You 

have the right to establish paternity until your child's 18th birthday. 

If paternity is established in another state, will the support order 

also be entered in that state?

Yes, UIFSA procedures cover establishing paternity and establishing and 

enforcing child support orders when more than one tribunal is involved. 

Ask your caseworker how this is done. 

Will location and enforcement services cost more if my agency is 

dealing with another state or jurisdiction? I am not receiving cash 

assistance.

Possibly. It depends on what the CSE office has to do to find the 

noncustodial parent and to establish regular payment. The more solid 

information and leads you provide, the more efficiently your case can be 

conducted. For non-assistance cases, service fees vary in different states. 

Your caseworker should be able to tell you more about these costs in 

your particular case. (See discussion in the Introduction section of this 

Handbook.) 

I don't have a support order. Can I have one established by 

petitioning the court where my ex-husband lives?

Yes. This can also be done by your CSE office. Depending on the facts, 

it could be handled in your jurisdiction or referred to another jurisdiction 

under UIFSA. An affidavit of the facts, indicating the name and address 

of the responsible parent, details of your financial circumstances, and the 

needs of the child, will be included. The petition will be mailed to the 

enforcement agency, the court, or the interstate official where the father 

lives. The responding jurisdiction will review this information together 

 44
with information about the father's ability to pay, and set the amount to 

be paid. 

I have had to wait several months for my enforcement agency to get 

a reply to its request for location assistance in another state. Why 

does it take so long to get an answer?

Even though they try to be responsive, enforcement agencies have a very 

high demand for their services. An agency’s ability to act rapidly 

depends on the characteristics of the case, the quality of information 

received, and the amount of staff and other resources they have to devote 

to it. Be sure to follow up regularly with your caseworker to make sure 

that each jurisdiction is actively working your case. 

As soon as the children's father is notified about enforcement, he 

moves. How will I ever be able to collect my support?

It is difficult to enforce child support payments when the noncustodial 

parent intentionally moves to avoid paying. Try to be an active 

participant in your own case. Whenever you learn that the noncustodial 

parent has moved or has a new job, you should tell your caseworker as 

soon as possible. All states are required to have a State Directory of New 

Hires, and employers are required to report hiring new employees within 

20 days. The information, in turn, is sent to a National Directory of New 

Hires. This helps locate the noncustodial parent quickly if he/she moves 

on to a new job. 

Isn't there a law now that makes it a Federal crime to not pay child 

support if the child lives in another state?

The Child Support Recovery Act of 1992 (CSRA) made it a Federal 

crime to willfully fail to pay support for a child living in another state if 

the arrearages exceed $5,000 or are unpaid for longer than a year. That 

law was strengthened in 1998 by Public Law 105-187, which added new 

categories of felonies with stronger penalties for more blatant child 

support evaders. Because successful prosecution depends on extensive 

investigation, the U. S. Attorney’s offices are very selective about the 

cases they accept. Priority is given to cases: (1) where there is a pattern 

of moving from state to state to avoid payment; (2) where there is a 

pattern of deception (e.g., use of false name or Social Security number); 

 45
(3) where there is failure to make support payments after being held in 

contempt of court; and (4) where failure to make support payments is 

connected to some other Federal offense such as bankruptcy fraud. The 

U. S. Attorneys may also require that it can be shown that the nonpayer 

has financial resources and is able to pay. 

In nearly all cases, U.S. Attorneys ask that cases be reviewed and 

forwarded to them by state CSE offices. When a CSE office has screened 

and referred the case, the U.S. Attorneys can be reasonably sure of 

receiving significant information about the case and that civil and state 

criminal remedies are exhausted. Check with your caseworker to see if 

prosecution under this Act would be available in your case. The final 

decision about whether to prosecute is with the U.S. Attorney, relying 

heavily on information provided by the CSE agency. 

My former wife lives in another state. She owns an expensive car, 

jewelry, and several pieces of property. Would the CSE Program be 

able to attach this property for child support?

An interstate CSE action may be filed on your behalf to ask the other 

state to attach this property. 

The children's mother lives in another state and every time the kids 

come home from there, they talk about her new car or stove or 

something, but she still won't pay her child support. Why can she get 

credit if the courts know she owes her kids so much?

CSE office staff must report child support arrearages to credit 

bureaus, so that information is available to people/offices that offer 

credit. Also, the state notifies the noncustodial parent if the debt 

will be reported to the credit-reporting network. Sometimes, that is 

enough to encourage payment of the overdue support. 

Tribal Cases

The Department of Health and Human Services recognizes the unique 

relationship between the Federal government and Federally recognized 

Indian tribes, and acknowledges this special government-to-government 

relationship in the implementation of the tribal provisions of the Personal 

Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA). 

 46
For the first time in the history of the title IV-D program, PRWORA 

authorized tribes and tribal organizations to operate child support 

enforcement programs like states do. 

Before enactment of PRWORA, only the states were authorized to 

administer IV-D services. However, within much of tribal territory, the 

authority of state and local governments is limited or non-existent. The 

Constitution, numerous court decisions, and Federal law clearly reserve 

to tribes important powers of self-government, including the authority to 

make and enforce laws, to adjudicate civil and criminal disputes 

including domestic relations cases, to tax, and to license. States have 

been limited in their ability to provide IV-D services on tribal lands and 

Native American families have had difficulty obtaining services from 

state IV-D programs. Cooperative agreements between tribes and states 

have helped bring child support services to increasing numbers of Indian 

and Alaska Native families. 

The tribes that are operating child support programs at the time of the 

printing of this Handbook are listed at the end of the booklet. Tribal 

programs are also listed on our website at: 

http://ocse3.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/tribaldirectors.cfm 

My ex-husband is a Native American who lives and works on an 

Indian reservation. Can the CSE Program help get child support for 

my children?

If your ex-husband is a member of a tribe with a IV-D program, this will 

not be a problem. The state office should contact the tribal IV-D office 

and work cooperatively with them to get the child support you need. You 

may also want to consider applying for child support services directly 

from the tribal child support office. 

If your ex-husband is a member of a tribe that does not have an 

agreement with OCSE to operate a CSE program, your caseworker 

should contact the tribal court and ask about the tribal procedures for 

child support. Most tribes have an office that handles child support 

enforcement cases even if they do not have a cooperative agreement with 

OCSE to operate a child support enforcement program. 

 47
My ex-husband is not a Native American, but he works on a 

reservation. Will his employer withhold income from his check to 

make the child support payment? 

If the tribe is operating a IV-D CSE program, your caseworker should 

send the income withholding order through the tribal IV-D agency. The 

tribal IV-D agency will present the income withholding order to the 

tribal enterprise for processing and income withholding. 

If the tribe does not have an agreement with OCSE to operate a child 

support enforcement program, your caseworker should contact the tribal 

court and ask about the tribal procedures for honoring an income 

withholding order. In most instances, the tribal enterprise will honor the 

withholding order, but it must be processed through the tribe’s 

procedures. 

I am a Native American mother of a three-year-old and I live on a 

reservation. His father is not Native American, does not live on the 

reservation, and does not fall under the jurisdiction of the tribal 

court. How can I get him to help support his son? 

If your tribe has a CSE agency, work through that office to establish and 

enforce an order. You can also apply for child support services with the 

appropriate state office. There is nothing to preclude you from applying 

for services with both the tribe and the state. States and tribes are 

working cooperatively to ensure that the children get the support that 

they need. 

International Cases

The father of my child has left the United States. How can I get my 

court order for child support enforced?

The U.S. Government has negotiated Federal-level reciprocity 

declarations with several countries and is negotiating declarations with 

others on behalf of all U.S. jurisdictions. Our website lists countries with 

which the US has agreements at: 

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/international/index.html 

 48
If there is not a Federal-level agreement, check with your state CSE 

agency. Many state CSE agencies have agreements with foreign 

countries to recognize child support judgments made in other countries. 

Our Intergovernmental Referral Guide includes information given to us 

by the states about countries that they work with at: 

https://extranet.acf.hhs.gov/irgauth/login 

These international child support agreements specify procedures for 

establishing and enforcing child support orders across borders. While 

requirements for getting enforcement action may vary depending on the 

other nation involved, a parent will be asked to provide the same 

information as in a domestic case, including as much specific 

information, such as address and employer of the noncustodial parent, as 

is possible. 

If the noncustodial parent works for an American company, or for a 

foreign company with offices in the United States, income withholding 

might work even if the country he or she lives in does not have any 

agreement to enforce an American state's order. Even in cases where the 

noncustodial parent is living and working in a country that has no 

reciprocity agreement, approaching the foreign employer directly for 

help might prove successful. 

I checked with the CSE office, but my daughter's father lives in a 

country that has no agreement with any state to enforce child 

support obligations. Is there anything else to try?

The Office of Citizens Consular Services may be able to give you 

information about how to have the support order enforced in that country 

and how to obtain a list of attorneys there. That address is: Department of 

State, Office of Citizens Consular Services, Washington, D.C. 20520. 

My child's mother is still in this country, but I understand that she is 

planning to live abroad with her new husband. She owes me $14,000 

in child support. Is there anything the CSE Office can do?

States certify cases in which an obligor owes more than $2,500 in unpaid 

child support to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, who, in 

 49
turn, will transmit the certification to the Secretary of State for denial of 

passports. The passport can also be seized if she asks for any change -- 

change of address, a new visa, addition of a child, etc. In addition, you 

should ask your caseworker if the court can impose a bond to secure 

payment of the arrears and future support. 

 50
IX. NONCUSTODIAL PARENTS’ RIGHTS AND 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

Both research and observation give clear and convincing evidence that 

children benefit greatly if both parents are actively involved in their 

lives. It is critical to children as they grow and develop. Bringing a child 

into the world means making a commitment to care for him or her 

throughout childhood – ensuring the best possible environment to grow 

in. Children need safe places to live, nourishing food, education, and a 

solid foundation of values. Mothers and fathers bring different, but 

equally important, qualities to their children. In a divorce or non-marital 

situation, either parent may be granted custody of the child -- or both 

may share equally in the physical custody and/or decision-making 

responsibilities. 

Because traditionally men are less likely to have custody, and because 

the role of fathers is so important, the Department of Health and Human 

Services (HHS) has established a Fatherhood website at: 

http://fatherhood.hhs.gov/index.shtml

I'm getting a divorce and my spouse wants me to pay child support 

directly to her. Can I insist on paying through the CSE office?

A noncustodial parent can apply for child support services if the case is 

not being enforced through the Child Support Enforcement (CSE) 

program, unless the support order requires you to pay her directly. Since 

January 1994, support orders must include a provision for income 

withholding unless both parents and the courts agree on another payment 

method. If your order does not call for income withholding, you can 

request this service. If you do, you will have a record that you have made 

payments as required. If you are self-employed, you may be able to 

arrange for an automatic transfer of funds to the child support agency 

through electronic funds transfer (EFT). Either parent can apply for CSE 

services, which include collecting and distributing payments. 

 51
I'm the noncustodial parent. I love my kids. I pay my child support. 

About half the time when I go to pick them up for my weekend, my 

ex-wife has made other plans for them. It's not fair that the state will 

enforce my child support obligation but not do anything about my 

right to see my kids.

Although the CSE Program lacks authority to enforce visitation, many 

state or local governments have developed procedures for enforcing 

visitation orders. Also, the Federal government has made funding 

available to states for developing model programs to ensure that children 

will be able to have the continuing care and emotional support of both 

parents. Check with your local CSE agency and clerk of court to see 

what resources are available to you and to find out about laws that 

address custody and visitation. 

After I pay my child support, I don't even have enough money for 

decent food. When my child support order was set, I was making 

about $300 a month more than I am now. Can I get the order 

changed?

Either parent can request a review, and adjustment, if appropriate, of a 

child support obligation at least every 36 months, or sooner if there has 

been a substantial change in circumstances such as reduced income of 

the obligated parent or a change in medical support provisions. Check 

with your CSE office to see if your child support obligation is in line 

with state guidelines and ask how to request a review. 

If your case does not meet the state's standards for review, either because 

the order has been reviewed within your state’s review period or the 

change in income is smaller than would merit an adjustment under state 

standards, you may still be able to petition the courts for a hearing. In 

this case, it may be helpful to have the services of an attorney. Your local 

legal aid society may be able to advise you about finding low-cost 

counsel if you cannot afford a private attorney. Also, a number of states 

have information about how to handle your case pro se (a legal term for 

representing yourself) to have the courts determine if your support 

obligation should be changed. Contact your local CSE office or the clerk 

of the court for more information. 

 52
Is there a limit to the amount of money that can be taken from my 

paycheck for child support?

The amount that can be withheld from an employee's wages is limited by 

the Federal Consumer Credit Protection Act (FCCPA) to 50 percent of 

disposable income if an obligated parent has a second family and 60 

percent if there is no second family. These limits are each increased by 5 

percent (to 55% and 65%) if payments are in arrears for a period equal to 

12 weeks or more. State law may further limit the amount that can be 

taken from a wage earner's paycheck. 

I can’t find my child and the custodial parent. What can I do? 

One of the services of the Office of Child Support Enforcement is 

helping to locate children in parental kidnapping cases. Federal law 

allows the use of the Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS) in parental 

kidnapping or child custody cases (including cases in which the custodial 

parent has hidden the child in violation of a visitation order) if: 1) a civil 

action to make or enforce a custody order has been filed in the state 

courts; or 2) a criminal custodial interference case is being investigated 

or prosecuted. 

Requests for information from the FPLS in custody and parental 

kidnapping cases must come from a state CSE agency. State CSE 

agency telephone numbers and addresses are at: 

https://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.extivd

list (English) 

https://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.ext/Es

panolIVDAll (Spanish) 

State CSE agency web site links are available on our web site at: 

http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cse/extinf.html 

States may collect a fee from people using the service to cover 

processing costs. 

 53
I just found out that I was named the father of a child I never even 

knew about. How can that happen and what can I do about it? 

If you have received papers naming you as the father of a child, and 

providing information about attending a hearing, contacting the CSE 

agency or some other tribunal, or other action that you must take, it is 

very important to follow up as required by the document you received. 

Check with the CSE agency to see how to request genetic testing, or to 

learn about paternity establishment in your state. 

There are cases in which a man can be determined to be the father of a 

child if he was “properly served” notice of a paternity hearing but did not 

go. What constitutes “proper service” is determined by the state – it may 

be in the form of a registered letter, a notice delivered to the person’s 

legal residence, or even a notice published in the newspaper. Check with 

the CSE agency in the state where paternity was established to see what 

can be done. If the paternity was established by fraud, duress, or 

material mistake of fact, it may be possible, depending on state law, to 

challenge the paternity finding. 

Also, there are cases in which the alleged father is misidentified – if 

names are closely similar, for example. There, too, your best 

information about resolving this will come from the state CSE agency. 

Contact information is at the end of this Handbook if it was not provided 

in the notice that you received about the paternity. 

How long do I have to pay? 

Emancipation and the age of majority for termination of child support are 

determined by the states. Some states have provision for child support 

payments while a child is in college. If you have access to the internet, 

there is state-specific information on our web site, at 

https://extranet.acf.hhs.gov/irgauth/login

You can also check with the state CSE agency. Telephone numbers and 

addresses are listed at the end of the Handbook. 

 54
For particular situations -- if a child leaves school before reaching the 

age of majority, is still in school but is emancipated, or is enrolled but 

not attending classes, for example -- check with the child support agency 

to see how the state handles them. 

If a child is handicapped, parents may be required to pay support after 

that child becomes an adult. 

I pay child support every month. I buy extras like school clothes and 

pay for field trips. Why can’t I claim my child as a dependent? 

Under domestic relations tax provisions set forth by the Internal Revenue 

Code, for divorced or separated parents, the parent who has custody for a 

greater portion of the calendar year is entitled to the dependency 

exemption for the child (See 26 U.S.C. 152(e). In some cases, a court or 

administrator will address the issue of who can claim the dependency. 

Also, the parent with custody can provide the other parent with a written 

statement that he/she may take the exemption for a given year. The 

noncustodial parent can then attach the statement to the income tax form, 

using IRS Form 8332, and claim the child(ren) as dependents for a given 

tax year. To obtain IRS Form 8332 and other IRS Forms and 

Publications, visit the IRS Web site at 

http://www.irs.gov/forms_pubs/index.html

 

In the case of parents who have never married, the IRS gives information 

about who can be claimed as a dependent in their Form 501: 

http://www.irs.gov/publications/index.html

 Generally, that would be a child for whom you had provided more than 

50% of the support over the year. 

My current wife is working and when we filed our taxes, the whole 

refund was taken. 

If a couple filed a joint return and only one of them is liable for child 

support payments, in non-community property states the other spouse 

can file an amended return to receive his or her share of the tax refund. 

The person who is not responsible for the child support debt can file tax 

Form 8379, the Injured Spouse Claim and Allocation. You can get Form 

8379 by calling the IRS (listed in your telephone directory) or by visiting 

the Treasury Department’s website at: http://www.irs.ustreas.gov. 

 55
Follow the instructions on Form 8379 carefully and provide the required 

documents. 

I tried to get a passport for a business trip abroad. The State 

Department denied it because of child support. I don't know which 

state said I owe child support.

If you do not know which state certified your case, or if you have never 

owed back child support, check the list provided with the Department of 

State denial letter for the contact information it gives for the state where 

you currently live. If you don't have the list, staff in the state agency can 

check with the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement to see 

which state certified the case and can get you contact information for 

resolving any problem. State agency addresses and telephone numbers 

are at the back of this Handbook.

 56
X. LESSONS LEARNED 

The Child Support Enforcement Program was established as a part of the 

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in 1975 with the 

objective of ensuring that children receive financial support from parents 

who are not living in their household. Since then, four general types of 

noncustodial parents have emerged: 

• those who are willing and able to pay, 

• those who are willing but unable, 

• those who are unwilling but able, and 

• those who are unwilling and unable to provide support for their 

children. 

Learning to work with these groups is changing the program’s ability to 

collect child support and its attitude about other ways to help children 

and families. 

Parents who are willing and able to pay support have their children’s 

best interests at heart. These children likely will flourish and grow to 

responsible adulthood. If the parents miss a payment, a caseworker’s 

early telephone call will often reveal the reason – a change of job or 

other circumstance, an error in payment identification – and the problem 

usually can be resolved. 

For parents who are willing but unable to pay, a number of states 

have started programs for teaching job skills or finding employment. 

States are looking at the benefits of ensuring that child support orders are 

set at a realistic amount. Many states work with these parents effectively 

to ensure that child support debt does not drive them away from their 

children. 

Parents who are unwilling but able to pay face strong enforcement 

tools, such as wage withholding, tax offset, passport denial, and asset 

seizures. Just as important, parents who have a close relationship with 

their children are more inclined to pay child support: removing barriers 

to access may lead to increased collections, and to a better chance for 

children to have a secure, successful adulthood. 

 57
For parents who are unwilling and unable to pay, an ideal program 

would give them the skills to earn enough money to support their 

children and help them discover the satisfaction of parenting. Setting fair 

support orders and helping these people acquire job and parenting skills 

might help them to make their children’s lives, and their own, more 

rewarding. 

To help reach its ideal, the program has several efforts under way. We 

want to make it as easy as possible for children to have the love and the 

financial support of both their parents. We want to ensure that child 

support orders are fair -- that noncustodial parents are not burdened by a 

debt they cannot pay -- and that children receive the support that their 

parents can afford. We want to ensure that people who bring a child into 

the world shoulder the responsibility that it entails. 

Children need two involved parents: 

Over the last four decades, the number of children growing up in homes 

without fathers has dramatically increased. In 1960, fewer than 10 

million children did not live with their fathers. Today, the number is 

nearly 25 million. More than one-third of these children will not see their 

fathers at all during the course of a year. Studies show that children who 

grow up without responsible fathers are significantly more likely to 

experience poverty, perform poorly in school, engage in criminal 

activity, and abuse drugs and alcohol. Purely from the point of view of 

ensuring financial support, research suggests that there is a positive 

relationship between noncustodial fathers' involvement with their 

children and their payment of child support. 

HHS supports programs and policies that reflect the critical role that both 

fathers and mothers play in building strong and successful families and 

in the well-being of children. Some programs reach out directly to fathers 

to promote responsible fatherhood and strengthen parenting skills. Other 

programs work to discourage young men from becoming fathers until 

they are married and ready for the responsibility. HHS also partners with 

states and with faith-based and community organizations to promote 

responsible fatherhood in local communities nationwide. And HHS 

researches the role that responsible fathers play in ensuring the healthy 

 58
development of children. More information about many HHS initiatives 

promoting fatherhood is available at http://fatherhood.hhs.gov. 

Since fiscal year 1997, $10 million has been available each year for 

grants to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin 

Islands and Guam to promote access and visitation programs to increase 

noncustodial parents' involvement in their children's lives. Each state has 

flexibility in how it designs and operates these programs and may use 

these funds to provide such services as voluntary or mandatory 

mediation, counseling, education, development of parenting plans, 

visitation enforcement (including monitoring, supervision, and neutral 

drop-off and pick-up), and development of guidelines for visitation and 

alternative custody arrangements. 

The 1996 welfare reform law recognized that two-parent, married 

families represent the ideal environment for raising children and 

therefore featured a variety of family formation provisions. HHS has 

approved grants and waivers for responsible fatherhood efforts designed 

to help noncustodial fathers support their children financially and 

emotionally. Under the Partners for Fragile Families demonstration, 10 

states are testing ways for child support enforcement programs and 

community and faith-based organizations to work together to help young 

unmarried fathers obtain employment, provide financial support to their 

families, and improve parenting skills. Eight states have also received 

demonstration grants or waivers to allow them to test comprehensive 

approaches to encourage more responsible fathering by noncustodial 

parents. In addition, President George W. Bush's Welfare Reform 

Reauthorization proposal includes up to $300 million for programs that 

encourage healthy, stable marriages. These programs would incorporate 

research and technical assistance into promising approaches that work 

and may involve premarital education and counseling efforts. 

Child support orders should be fair: 

Child support orders that are set too high relative to low-income 

obligors’ ability to pay contribute to child support arrears and, 

unfortunately, child support debt can drive a wedge between a parent and 

child. A number of states’ guideline formulas rely on a “self-support 

reserve” for the basic living expenses of a noncustodial parent before a 

 59
child support obligation is determined. The self-support reserve in most 

states, if it is used at all, can be considerably below the Federal poverty 

level for one person. 

Another cause of child support orders not matching a parent’s ability to 

pay is the establishment of orders by default. Default orders are written if 

a noncustodial parent fails to appear in the child support case being 

brought against him or her. All too often, a noncustodial parent will not 

get the notice of the proceeding, or will not understand that a fairer order 

might be written if he or she attends the hearing. 

OCSE, with our various colleague agencies, is studying effective policies 

and practices for working with low-income noncustodial parents. 

Studies by the HHS Office of the Inspector General and others report on 

the large percentage of total arrears owed by low-income parents who 

may never have the resources to satisfy their debt. Preliminary outcomes 

have already reinforced beliefs that the most effective way to avoid 

arrears for low-income noncustodial parents is to make sure that they are 

a part of the order establishment process and that the process ends with a 

reasonable obligation. 

States also may need to maximize access to and use of computerized 

wage data to find as much earnings information as possible for all cases, 

including cases established by default, and those in which a parent tries 

to hide income. Designing a system that sets fair and reasonable 

obligations to encourage rather than discourage child support payment 

will go a long way toward reaching that goal. 

Enforcement, when required, should be effective: 

In addition to actions that can be taken through law enforcement and 

judicial proceedings (such as citations for contempt of court, and filing of 

state and Federal criminal charges), over the years, Congress has 

provided the Child Support Enforcement Program with strong 

enforcement tools including: wage withholding, offsetting of Federal and 

state income tax refunds, and the ability to secure liens on property. In 

recent years, more tools have been added: 

 60
An expanded Federal Parent Locator Service: Provisions in 

the 1996 bipartisan welfare reform legislation established a 

Federal Case Registry and National Directory of New Hires to 

track delinquent parents across state lines. This legislation also 

required that employers report all new hires to state agencies for 

transmittal to the national directory and expanded and 

streamlined procedures for direct withholding of child support 

from wages. 

Financial Institution Data Matching: In 1998, Congress made 

it easier for multi-state institutions to match records by using the 

Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement. Accounts of nonpayers can be seized or frozen to help satisfy a child support 

debt. 

Project Save Our Children: An initiative on criminal child 

support enforcement, Project Save Our Children, is succeeding 

in its pursuit of chronic delinquent parents who owe large sums 

of child support. Multi-agency regional task forces, involving 

Federal and state law enforcement agencies, work together to 

obtain convictions in interstate cases. 

Passport Denial: The State Department is notified for passport 

denial when a parent falls $2,500 behind in child support 

payments. If that person applies for a passport, or tries to renew 

or update it, the passport will be denied until the state that 

submitted the case is satisfied that the debt is paid or a 

satisfactory plan is agreed to. 

 

As you can see, we continue to learn new lessons with every passing 

year. We hope the Child Support Enforcement Program will serve the 

families who need it well: that children will have all of the love and the 

support -- both emotional and financial -- that both parents, working 

together, can provide for them. 

 61
XI. CONCLUSION

The success you have in obtaining regular, adequate, and full child 

support payments can often depend on how well you can make the child 

support enforcement system work for you. At the same time, it is 

important to remember that not all the solutions to your child support 

problems are within your control. The legal rights and welfare of all 

parties must be carefully guarded, and sometimes laws that protect the 

rights of one parent seem unfair to the other. 

Knowledge is power. The more you know about child support 

enforcement procedures where you and the noncustodial parent live, the 

better you will be able to exercise your rights and responsibilities under 

the law, and the more successful you will be in obtaining the support that 

rightfully belongs to your children. As you proceed with your 

enforcement case, it is a good idea to keep a written account of the 

actions taken and the outcomes of those actions. Do not hesitate to ask 

questions and make suggestions to your enforcement caseworker. If you 

are not satisfied with the actions taken on your behalf, you have recourse 

to appeal your case to the head of the local CSE office as well as to the 

director of the state or tribal Child Support Enforcement agency. Keep in 

mind that it is always best to communicate the problem in writing. 

An informed parent can help make the child support enforcement system 

work. This, together with improvements that state enforcement 

programs, legislatures, and the courts are making, can benefit millions of 

parents and their children. 

 62
APPENDIX 

GLOSSARY OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT TERMS 

Adjudication – the entry of a judgment, decree, or order by a judge or 

other decision-maker, based on the evidence submitted by the parties. 

Administration for Children and Families (ACF) – the agency in the 

Department of Health and Human Services that houses the Office of 

Child Support Enforcement. 

Administrative offset – seizure of a tax refund or other Federal payment 

to satisfy a child support debt. 

Administrative procedure – method by which support orders are made 

and enforced by an executive agency rather than by courts and judges. 

Agent of the child – person, usually a parent, who has the legal authority 

to act on behalf of a minor. 

Arrearage – unpaid child support for past periods owed by a parent who 

is obligated to pay. 

Assignment of support rights – the legal procedures by which a person 

receiving public assistance agrees to turn over to the state any right to 

child support, including arrearages, paid by the obligated parent in 

exchange for receipt of a cash assistance grant and other benefits. The 

money is used to defray the public assistance costs. 

Child Support Enforcement (CSE) agency – agency that exists in the 54 

states and territories and several Native American tribes, established by 

title IV-D (Four-D) of the Social Security Act, to locate noncustodial 

parents, establish paternity and establish and enforce child support 

orders. 

Child Support Enforcement Program – the Federal/state/local partnership 

established under Part D of the Social Security Act to locate parents, 

establish paternity and child support orders and to enforce those orders. 

 63
Complaint – written document filed in court in which the person 

initiating the action names the persons, allegations, and relief sought. 

Consent agreement – voluntary written admission of paternity or 

responsibility for support. 

Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) – Federal law that limits the 

amount that may be withheld from earnings. 

Continuing Exclusive Jurisdiction (CEJ) – doctrine that only one support 

order can be in effect at any one time and that only one state has 

jurisdiction to modify the order. 

Custodial parent – person with legal custody and with whom the child 

lives; may be a parent, other relative, legal guardian (JPS) or someone 

else. 

Custody order – legal determination which establishes with whom a 

child shall live. 

Default – failure of a defendant to appear, or file an answer or response 

in a civil case, after having been served with a summons and complaint. 

Default judgment – decision made by the tribunal when the defendant 

fails to respond. 

Defendant – person against whom a civil or criminal proceeding is 

begun. 

Disestablishment – procedure by which a tribunal can nullify an order or 

a determination of paternity generally. 

Disposable income – income remaining after subtracting mandatory 

deductions such as: Federal, state and local taxes; FICA and Medicare 

taxes; unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation insurance; state 

employee retirement systems; additional deductions mandated by state 

law. 

Electronic funds transfer (EFT) – transfer of money from one bank 

account to another or to a CSE agency. 

 64
Enforcement – obtaining payment of a child support or medical support 

obligation. 

Establishment – the process of determining paternity and/or obtaining a 

child support order. 

Family violence indicator – a notation in the case documents that 

information about a family’s whereabouts cannot be released without a 

court order. 

Federal Case Registry (FCR) – A database that maintains all states’ 

caseloads. 

Federal Income Tax Offset Program – a program under the Federal 

Office of Child Support Enforcement which makes available to state 

CSE Agencies a route for securing the tax refund of parents who have 

been certified as owing substantial amounts of child support. 

Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS) – a service operated by the 

Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement to help state CSE agencies 

locate parents in order to obtain child support payments; also used in 

cases of parental kidnapping related to custody and visitation 

determinations. The FPLS obtains address and employer information 

from Federal agencies. 

Federally assisted Foster Care – a program, funded in part by the 

Federal government, under which a child is raised in a household by 

someone other than his or her own parent. 

Financial Institution Data Match (FIDM) – a quarterly data match for 

the purpose of identifying accounts belonging to parents that owe past 

due child support. 

Finding – a formal determination by a court, or administrative process, 

that has legal standing. 

Full Faith and Credit – doctrine under which a state must honor an order 

or judgment entered in another state. 

Garnishment – a legal proceeding under which part of a person's wages 

and/or assets is withheld for payment of a debt. 

 65
Genetic testing – analysis of inherited factors (usually by blood or tissue 

test) of mother, child, and alleged father which can help to prove or 

disprove that a particular man fathered a particular child. 

Good cause – a reason for not trying to collect support from the father, 

usually because the father may be a threat to the mother and child(ren).

Guidelines – a standard method for setting child support obligations 

based on the income of the parent(s) and other factors as determined by 

state law. 

IV-D (Four-D) Child Support Enforcement Program – the 

Federal/state/local and tribal child support programs established under 

title IV-D of the Social Security Act. 

Immediate income withholding – automatic deductions from income 

which start as soon as the agreement for support is established (see 

income withholding). 

Judgment – the official decision by the tribunal in authority on the rights 

and claims of the parties to an action. 

Jurisdiction – legal authority which a court has over particular persons, 

certain types of cases, and in a defined geographical area. 

Legal father – a man who is recognized by law as the male parent. 

Lien – a claim upon property to prevent sale or transfer until a debt is 

satisfied. 

Long arm statute – a law that permits one state to claim personal 

jurisdiction over someone who lives in another state. 

Medicaid program – Federally funded medical support for low-income 

families. 

Medical support – legal provision for payment of medical and dental 

bills. 

National Directory of New Hires – a national repository of employment, 

unemployment insurance, and quarterly wage information. 

 66
Noncustodial parent – parent who does not have primary custody of a 

child. 

Obligation – amount of money to be paid as support by the responsible 

parent and the manner by which it is to be paid. 

Offset – amount of money taken from a parent's state or Federal income 

tax refund to satisfy a child support debt 

Order – direction of a magistrate, judge or properly empowered 

administrative officer. 

Parentage – the legal mother-child relationship and/or father-child 

relationship as determined by the state. 

Paternity judgment – legal determination of fatherhood. 

Plaintiff – person who brings an action, complains or sues in a civil case. 

Presumption of paternity – a rule of law under which evidence of a man's 

paternity (e.g., voluntary acknowledgment, genetic test results) creates a 

presumption that the man is the father of a child. A rebuttable 

presumption can be overcome by evidence that the man is not the father, 

but it shifts the burden of proof to the father to disprove paternity. 

Probability of paternity – the probability that the alleged father is the 

biological father of the child as indicated by genetic test results. 

Pro se – when a party represents themselves in a legal matter. 

PRWORA (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity 

Reconciliation Act) – legislation that was passed in 1996, which is also 

known as Welfare Reform. 

Public assistance – money granted from the state/Federal government to 

a person or family for living expenses; eligibility is based on need. 

State Parent Locator Service (SPLS) – a service operated by the state 

Child Support Enforcement Agencies to locate noncustodial parents to 

establish paternity, and establish and enforce child support obligations. 

 67
State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) – agencies that provide Quarterly 

Wage and Unemployment Insurance Compensation data to the NDNH. 

Statute of limitations – the period during which someone can be held 

liable for an action or a debt; statutes of limitations for collecting child 

support vary from state to state. 

Stay – an order by a court that suspends all or some of the proceedings in 

a case. 

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) – assistance payments 

made on behalf of children who don't have the financial support of one of 

their parents by reason of death, disability, or continued absence from the 

home. The program provides parents with job preparation, work and 

support services to help them become self-sufficient. 

Tribal Organizations – organizations run by Native American tribes. 

Tribunal – a court, administrative agency or quasi-judicial entity 

authorized to establish, enforce or modify support orders or to determine 

parentage.

Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), and Uniform 

Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act (URESA) – laws enacted at the 

state level which provide mechanisms for establishing and enforcing 

support obligations when the noncustodial parent lives in one state and 

the custodial parent and the children live in another. 

Visitation – the right of a noncustodial parent to visit or spend time with 

his or her children. 

Voluntary acknowledgment of paternity – an acknowledgment by a man, 

or both parents, that the man is the father of a child, usually provided in 

writing on an affidavit or form. 

Wage withholding – procedure by which automatic deductions are made 

from wages or income to pay some debt such as child support; may be 

voluntary or involuntary. 

***** 

 68
For more information on how the child support system works in your 

state, contact your state Child Support Enforcement agency. For general 

information about the Child Support Enforcement Program, contact the 

Office of Child Support Enforcement, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, 

Washington, D.C. 20447, or visit the website at: 

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse 

 69
STATE CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT OFFICES

Updated addresses/telephone 

numbers: http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.extivdlist

ALABAM A 

Department of Human Resources 

Child Support Enforcement Division 

50 Ripley Street 

Montgomery, AL 36130-1801 

(334) 242-9300 

 (334) 242-0606 FAX 

 1- 800-284-4347 

 

ALASKA 

Child Support Services Division 

Department of Revenue 

550 West 7th Avenue, 2nd Floor 

Suite 280 

Anchorage, AK 99501-6699 

1-800-478-3300

(907) 269-6813 FAX 

 

ARIZONA 

Division of Child Support Enforcement 

Arizona Department of Economic Security 

3443 N. Central, 4th Floor 

Phoenix, AZ 85067 

 (602) 252-4045 

(602) 274-8250 FAX 

 

ARKANSAS

 

Office of Child Support Enforcement 

Department of Finance and Administration 

P.O. Box 8133 

Little Rock, AR 72203-8133 

Street Address: 400 E Capitol 

 Little Rock, AR 72203 

 (501) 682—6169 

 (501) 682-6002 FAX 

 1- 800-264-2445 (payments) 

 1-800-247-4549 (program) 

CALIFORNIA 

Department of Child Support Services 

P.O. Box 419064, Mail Station 10 

Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9064 

 ( 866) 249-0773 

 (910) 464-5211 FAX 

COLORADO 

Division of Child Support Enforcement 

Department of Human Services 

1575 Sherman Street, 5th Floor 

Denver, CO 80203-1714 

 ( 303) 866-4300 

 (303) 866-4360 FAX 

CONNECTICUT 

Connecticut Department of Social Services 

Bureau of Child Support Enforcement 

25 Sigourney Street 

Hartford, CT 06106-5033 

 ( 860) 424-4989 

 (860) 951-2996 FAX 

 1- 888-233-7223 

 (information/payments) 

DELAWARE 

Division of Child Support Enforcement 

Delaware Health and Social Services 

P.O. Box 904 

New Castle, DE 19720 

 ( 302) 395-6500 

 (302) 577-7171 (customer 

 service) 

 (302) 395-6733 FAX 

 
STATE CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT OFFICES

Updated addresses/telephone 

numbers: http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.extivdlist

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 

Child Support Services Division 

Office of the Attorney General 

Judiciary Square 

441 Fourth Street, NW, 5th Floor 

Washington, DC 20001 

 ( 202) 724-2131 

 (202) 724-3710 FAX 

FLORIDA 

Child Support Enforcement 

Department of Revenue 

P.O. Box 8030 

Tallahassee, FL 32399-7016 

 ( 8540) 922-9590 

 (850) 921-0792 FAX 

 1- 800-622-5437 

GEORGIA 

Child Support Enforcement 

Department of Human Resources 

2 Peachtree Street, Suite 20460 

Atlanta, GA 30303 

 ( 404) 657-3851 

 (404) 657-3326 FAX 

 

GUAM 

Child Support Enforcement Division 

The Justice Building 

287 West O’Brien Drive 

Hagatna, GU 96910 

 ( 671) 475-3324 

 (671) 475-3203 FAX 

HAWAII 

Child Support Enforcement Agency 

Office of Attorney general 

601 Kamokila Boulevard, Suite 207 

Kapolei, HI 96707 

 ( 808) 692-7000 

 (808) 692-7134 FAX 

IDAHO 

Bureau of Child Support Services 

Department of Health and Welfare 

P.O. Box 83720 

Boise, ID 83720-0036 

 1- 800-356-9868 

 (208) 334-5571 FAX 

ILLINOIS 

Division of Child Support Enforcement 

Illinois Department of Public Aid 

509 South 6th Street, 6th Floor 

Springfield, IL 62701 

 1- 800-447-4278 

 (217) 524-4608 FAX 

 1- 877-225-7077 (payments) 

INDIANA

Child Support Bureau 

Division of Family and Children 

402 W. Washington Street, Room W360 

Indianapolis, IN 46204 

 ( 317) 233-5437 

 (317) 233-4932 FAX 

IOWA 

Bureau of Collections 

Department of Human Services 

400 SW 8th Street, Suite M 

Des Moines, IA 50319 

 ( 515) 281-5647 

 (515) 281-8854 FAX 

 1- 888-229-9223 

KANSAS 

Child Support Enforcement Program 

Department of Social and 

 Rehabilitation Services 

P.O. Box 497 

Topeka, KS 66601 

 ( 785) 296-3237 

 (785) 296-5206 FAX 
STATE CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT OFFICES

Updated addresses/telephone 

numbers: http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.extivdlist

KENTUCKY 

Division of Child Support 

Cabinet for Families and Children 

P.O. Box 2150 

Frankfort, KY 40602 

Street Address: 730 Schenkel Lane 

 Frankfort, KY 40602 

 ( 502) 564-2285 

 (502) 564-5988 FAX 

 1- 800-248-1163 

LOUISIANA 

Office of Family Support 

Support Enforcement Services 

P.O. Box 94065 

Baton Rouge, LA 70804 

 ( 225) 342-4780 

 (225) 342-7397 FAX 

 1- 800-256-4650 (payments) 

MAINE 

Division of Support Enforcement 

 and Recovery 

Bureau of Family Independence 

Department of Health and Human Services 

268 Whitten Road – 11 State House Station 

Augusta, ME 04333-0993 

 ( 207) 624-4100 

 (207) 287-2334 FAX 

MARYLAND 

Child Support Enforcement Administration 

Department of Human Resources 

Saratoga State Center 

311 West Saratoga Street, Room 301 

Baltimore, MD 21201 

 ( 410) 767-7065 

 (410) 333-6264 FAX 

 1- 800-332-6347 

MASSACHUSETTS 

Child Support Enforcement Division 

Massachusetts Department of Revenue 

P.O. Box 7057 

Boston, MA 02204-7057 

 1- 800-332-2733 

 (617) 887-7570 FAX 

MICHIGAN 

Office of Child Support 

Department of Human Services 

P.O. Box 30037 

Lansing, MI 48909-7978 

Street Address: 235 S. Grand Ave. 

 Lansing, MI 48909 

 ( 517) 373-2035 

 (517) 373-4980 FAX 

MINNESOTA 

Office of Child Support Enforcement 

Department of Human Services 

444 Lafayette Road, 4th Floor 

St. Paul, MN 55155-3846 

 ( 651) 431-4400 

 (651) 431-7517 FAX 

MISSISSIPPI 

Division of Child Support Enforcement 

Department of Human Services 

750 North State Street 

Jackson, MS 39205 

 1- 800-434-5437 

 (601) 359-4415 FAX 

 1-800-354-6039 (Hines, 

 Rankin and Madison 

 Counties) 
STATE CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT OFFICES

Updated addresses/telephone 

numbers: http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.extivdlist

MISSOURI 

Division of Child Support Enforcement 

Department of Social Services 

P.O. Box 2320, 615 Howerton Court Bldg. 

Jefferson City, MO 65101 

 1- 800-859-7999 

 (573) 751-0507 FAX 

MONTANA 

Child Support 

Department of Public and Human Services 

3075 N. Montana Ave., Suite 112 

Helena, MT 59620 

(406) 444-9855 

(406) 444-1370 FAX 

NEBRASKA 

Child Support Enforcement Office 

Department of Health and Human Services 

P.O. Box 220, South 17th Street 

Lincoln, NE 68509-4728 

 ( 402) 471-1400 

 (402) 471-7311 FAX 

 1- 877-631-9973 

NEVADA 

State of Nevada Division of Welfare 

 and Supportive Services 

1470 College Parkway 

Carson City, NV 89706-7942 

 ( 775) 684-0705 

 (775) 684-0702 FAX 

 (775) 684-7200 (customer 

 Service) 

 (702) 486-1646 (customer 

 service) 

NEW HAMPSHIRE 

Division of Child Support Services 

Department of Health and Human Services 

129 Pleasant Street 

Concord, NH 03301-8711 

 ( 603) 271-4427 

 (603) 271-4787 FAX 

 1- 800-852-3345 

NEW JERSEY 

Office of Child Support 

Department of Human Services 

P.O. Box 716 

Trenton, NJ 08625-0716 

(609) 588-2915 

(609) 588-2354 FAX 

1-877-655-4371 (automated 

 system) 

NEW MEXICO 

Child Support Enforcement Division 

Department of Human Services 

P.O. Box 25110 

Santa Fe, NM 87502 

Street Address: 2009 S. Pacheco 

 Pollen Plaza 

 Santa Fe, NM 87504 

 ( 505) 476-7207 

 (505) 476-7045 FAX 

 1- 800-288-7207 

 1- 800-585-7631 

NEW YORK 

Division of Child Support Enforcement 

Office of Temporary Assistance and 

 Disability 

40 North Pearl Street, Room 13C 

Albany, NY 12243-0001 

 ( 518) 474-9081 

 (518) 486-3127 FAX 

 1- 888-208-4485 
STATE CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT OFFICES

Updated addresses/telephone 

numbers: http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.extivdlist

NORTH CAROLINA 

Child Support Enforcement 

Department of Human Resources 

P.O. Box 20800 

Raleigh, NC 27619-0800 

 ( 919) 225-3800 

 (919) 212-3840 FAX 

 1- 800-992-9457 

NORTH DAKOTA 

Child Support Enforcement Agency 

Department of Human Services 

P.O. Box 7190 

Bismarck, ND 58507-7190 

 ( 701) 328-3582 

 (701) 328-5497 FAX 

 1- 800-231-4255 

OHIO 

Office of Child Support Enforcement 

Department of Human Services and Jobs 

 and Family Services 

30 East Broad Street, 31st Floor 

Columbus, OH 43215-3414 

 ( 614) 752-6561 

 (614) 752-9760 FAX 

 1- 800-686-1556 

OKLAHOMA 

Child Support Enforcement Division 

Department of Human Services 

P.O. Box 53552 

Oklahoma City, OK 73152 

Street Address: 2409 N. Kelly Avenue 

 Annex Building 

 Oklahoma City, OK 73152 

 ( 405) 522-5871 

 (405) 522-2753 FAX 

 1- 800-522-2922 

OREGON 

Division of Child Support 

Oregon Department of Justice 

494 State Street, SE, Suite 300 

Salem, OR 97301 

 ( 503) 986-6166 

 (503) 986-6158 FAX 

 

PENNSYLVANIA 

Bureau of Child Support Enforcement 

Department of Public Welfare 

P.O. Box 8018 

Harrisburg, PA 17108-8018 

 1- 800-932-0211 

 (717) 787-9706 FAX 

PUERTO RICO 

Department of the Family 

P.O. Box 70376 

San Juan, PR 00936-8376 

Street Address: Majagua Street Bldg. 2 

 Wing 4, 2nd Floor 

 Rio Pedras, PR 00902-9938 

 ( 787) 767-1500 

 (787) 723-6187 FAX 

RHODE ISLAND 

Office of Child Support Services 

Department of Human Services 

77 Dorrance Street 

Providence, RI 02903 

 ( 401) 458-4400 

 (401) 458-4407 FAX 
STATE CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT OFFICES

Updated addresses/telephone 

numbers: http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.extivdlist

SOUTH CAROLINA 

Department of Social Services 

Child Support Enforcement Division 

P.O. Box 1469 

Columbia, SC 29202-1469 

 ( 803) 898-9210 

 (803) 898-9201 FAX 

 1- 800-768-5858 

 1- 800-768-6779 (payments) 

SOUTH DAKOTA

Division of Child Support 

Department of Social Services 

700 Governor’s Drive 

Pierre, SD 57501-2291 

 ( 605) 773-3641 

 (605) 773-5246 FAX 

 1-800-286-9145 (Active Cases) 

TENNESSEE 

Child Support Services 

Department of Human Services 

400 Deadrick Street 

Nashville, TN 37248-7400 

 ( 615) 313-4880 

 (615) 532-2791 FAX 

 1- 800-838-6911 

TEXAS 

Child Support Division 

Office of the Attorney General 

P.O. Box 12017 

Austin, TX 78741-2017 

 1- 800-252-8014 

 (512) 460-6867 FAX 

UTAH 

Child Support Services 

Office of Recovery Services 

Department of Human Services 

P.O. Box 45033 

Salt Lake City, UT 84145-0033 

 ( 801) 536-8901 

 (801) 536-8509 FAX 

 1- 800-257-9156 

VERMONT 

Office of Child Support 

103 South Main Street 

Waterbury, VT 05671-1901 

 1- 800-786-3214 

 (802) 244-1483 FAX 

VIRGIN ISLANDS 

Child Support Enforcement 

Department of Justice 

Nisky Center, 2nd Floor, Suite 500 

St. Thomas, VI 00802 

 ( 340) 777-3070 

 (340) 775-3808 FAX 

 (340) 799-3800 FAX (St. Croix) 

VIRGINIA 

Division of Child Support Enforcement 

Department of Social Services 

7 North Eight Street, 1st Floor 

Richmond, VA 23219 

 1- 800-257-9986 

 1- 800-468-8894 

 (804) 726-7476 FAX 
STATE CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT OFFICES

Updated addresses/telephone 

numbers: http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.extivdlist

WASHINGTON

Division of Child Support 

Economic Services Administration 

P.O. Box 9162 

Olympia, WA 98507-9162 

Street Address: 712 Pear Street, SE 

 Olympia, WA 98507 

 ( 360) 664-664-5000 

 (360) 664-5444 FAX 

 1- 800-457-6202 

WEST VIRGINIA 

Bureau of Child Support Enforcement 

Department of Health and Human Resources 

350 Capitol Street, Room 147 

Charleston, WV 25301-3703 

 ( 304) 558-3780 

 (304) 558-2445 FAX 

 1- 800-249-3778 

WISCONSIN 

Bureau of Child Support 

Division of Economic Support 

201 E. Washington, Room E200 

P.O. Box 7935 

Madison, WI 53707-7935 

 ( 608) 266-9909 

 (608) 267-2824 FAX 

WYOMING 

Child Support Enforcement 

Department of Family Services 

122 W. 25th Herschler Bldg. 

1301 1st Floor East 

Cheyenne, WY 82002 

 ( 307) 777-6948 

 (307) 777-5588 FAX 
TRIBAL GRANTEE CONTACT INFORMATION 

For updated list of grantees and address/telephone numbers: 

http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.tribalivd

Central Council Tlingit & Haida 

 Indian Tribes of Alaska 

320 West Willoughby Ave., Suite 300 

Juneau, AK 99801 

P: 1 (800) 344-1432 

F: (907) 463-7312 

Cherokee Nation 

Office of Child Support Enforcement 

P.O. Box 557 

Tahlequah, OK 74465-0557 

P: (918) 453-5444 

F: (918) 458-6165 

Chickasaw Nation 

Child Support Enforcement Dept. 

P O Box 1809, 125 South Broadway 

Ada, OK 74820 

P: (580) 436-3419 

F: (580) 436-3460 

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla 

 Indian Reservation 

Dept. Of Children & Family 

 Services/CSE Office CTUIR 

P.O. Box 638 

Pendleton, OR 97801-0638 

P: (541) 215-0852 

F: (541-278-7462 

Forest County Potawatomi Community 

FCPC Tribal Child Support Agency 

P.O. Box 340 

5415 Everybody’s Road 

Crandon, WI 54520 

P: (715) 478-7260 

F: (715) 478-7331 

Kaw Nation 

Kaw Nation Child Support Services 

P.O. Box 50 

Kaw City, OK 74641 

P: (580) 269-2003 

F: (580) 269-2113 

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community 

Office of Child Support Services 

16429 Bear Town Road 

Baraga, MI 49908-9210 

P: (906) 353-4566 

F: (906) 353-8132 

Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake 

 Superior Chippewa Indians 

LDF Tribal Child Support Agency 

P.O. Box 1198 

Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538 

P: (715) 588-4236 

F: (715) 588-9240 

Lummi Nation 

Lummi Nation Child Support Program 

2616 Kwina Road 

Bellingham, WA 98226 

P: (360) 384-2326 

F: (360) 312-9192 

Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin 

Menominee Tribal Child Support 

 Agency 

P.O. Box 520 

Keshena, WI 54135 

P: (715) 799-5161 

F: (715) 799-6061 

. 
TRIBAL GRANTEE CONTACT INFORMATION 

For updated list of grantees and address/telephone numbers: 

http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.tribalivd

Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma 

P.O. Box 1110 

21 N. Eight Tribes Trail 

Miami, OK 74354 

P: (918) 540-1501 

F: (918) 540-1503 

Muscogee (Creek) Nation 

P.O. Box 580 

Okmulgee, OK 74447 

P: (918) 752-3181 

F: (918) 756-2445 

Navajo Nation 

Dept. of Child Support Enforcement 

P O Box 7050 

Window Rock, AZ 86515 

P: (928) 871-7195 

F: (928) 871-7196 

Nooksack Indian Tribe 

P.O. Box 157 

Deming, WA 98244 

P: (360) 592-4158 

F: (360) 592-5721 

Oneida Tribe of Indians of 

 Wisconsin 

Oneida Nation Child Support Dept. 

P.O. Box 365 

Oneida, WI 54155 

P: (920) 490-3766 

F: (920) 490-3799 

Osage Tribe of Oklahoma 

Osage Nation Child Support Services 

P.O. Box 1299, 255 Senior Dr. 

Pawhuska, OK 74056 

P: (918) 287-5575 

F: (918) 287-5577 

 

Penobscot Nation 

Penobscot Nation Title IV-D Program 

12 Wabanaki Way 

Old Town, ME 04468 

P: (207) 817-7328 

F: (207) 827-9129 

Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma 

Ponca Nation Child Support 

 Enforcement 

Box 20, White Eagle Drive 

Ponca City, OK 74601 

P: (580) 765-2822 

F: (580) 762-6868 

Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe 

Child Support Program 

31912 Little Boston Road, NE 

Kingston, WA 98346 

P: (360) 297-9668 

F: (360) 297-9666 

Puyallup Tribe of Indians 

Child Support Enforcement 

 Program 

3009 East Portland Ave. 

Tacoma, WA 98424 

P: (253) 680-5744 

F: (253) 896-1081 

Quinault Indian Nation 

Child Support Services 

P.O. Box 189 

Taholah, WA 98567 

P: (360) 276-8211, ext 322 

F: (360) 276-0008 
TRIBAL GRANTEE CONTACT INFORMATION 

For updated list of grantees and address/telephone numbers: 

http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.tribalivd

Red Lake Band of Chippewa 

 Indians 

Red Lake Nation Child Support 

 Program 

P.O. Box 1020 

Red Lake, MN 56671 

P: (218) 679-2306 

F: (218) 679-2390 

Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Sioux Tribe 

Office of Child Support Enforcement 

P O Box 808 

Agency Village, SD 57262 

P: (605) 698-7131 

F: (605) 698-7170 

Three Affiliated Tribes 

Division of Child Support Enforcement 

Box 998 

New Town, ND 58763 

P: (701) 627-2860 

F: (701) 627-3963 

White Earth Nation 

White Earth Nation Child Support 

 Program 

P.O. Box 387 

White Earth, MN 56591 

P: (218) 983-3285, ext. 1324 

F: (218) 983-3101 
For updated address/telephone numbers: 

http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.extregofficemap

REGIONAL OFFICES OF THE 

OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT

REGION I – CONNECTICUT, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, 

 NEW HAMPSHIRE, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT

OCSE Program Manager 

 Administration for Children and Families 

 John F. Kennedy Federal Building 

 Room 2000 

 Boston, MA 02203 

 (617) 565-2440 

REGION II – NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, PUERTO RICO, VIRGIN ISLANDS 

OCSE Program Manager 

 Administration for Children and Families 

 Federal Building, Room 4114 

 26 Federal Plaza 

 New York, NY 10278 

 (212) 264-2890 

REGION III – DELAWARE, MARYLAND, PENNSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA, 

WEST VIRGINIA, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 

 OCSE Program Manager 

 Administration for Children and Families 

 150 South Independence Mall West, Suite 864 

 Philadelphia, PA 19106-3499 

 (215) 861-4000 

REGION IV – ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, KENTUCKY, MISSISSIPPI, 

NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE 

 OCSE Program Manager 

 Administration for Children and Families 

 Federal Center 

 61 Forsyth Street, SW, Suite 4M60 

 Atlanta, GA 30303-8909 

 (404) 562-2960 
For updated address/telephone numbers: 

http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.extregofficemap

REGION V – ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, OHIO, 

 WISCONSIN 

OCSE Program Manager 

 Administration for Children and Families 

 233 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 400 

 Chicago, IL 60601-5519 

 (312) 353-4863 

REGION VI – ARKANSAS, LOUISIANA, NEW MEXICO, OKLAHOMA, TEXAS 

 OCSE Program Manager 

 Administration for Children and Families 

 1301 Young Street, Room 914 (ACF-3) 

 Dallas, TX 75202 

 (214) 767-9648 

REGION VII – IOWA, KANSAS, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA 

OCSE Program Manager 

 Administration for Children and Families 

 601 East 12th Street 

 Federal Building, Suite 276 

 Kansas City, MO 64106 

REGION VIII – COLORADO, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, 

 SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, WYOMING 

OCSE Program Manager 

 Administration for Children and Families 

 Federal Office Building 

 1961 Stout Street, 9th Floor 

 Denver, CO 80294-3538 

 (303) 844-1132 

REGION IX – ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, HAWAII, NEVADA, GUAM 

OCSE Program Manager 

 Administration for Children and Families 

 90 7th Street, 9th Floor 

 San Francisco, CA 94103-6710 

 (415) 437-8400 
For updated address/telephone numbers: 

http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.extregofficemap

REGION X – ALASKA, IDAHO, OREGON, WASHINGTON 

OCSE Program Manager 

 Administration for Children and Families 

 2201 Sixth Avenue 

 Mail Stop RX-70 

 Seattle, WA 98121 

 (206) 615-2547
1

CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT RECORDS 

Custodial Parent __________________________________________________ 

Address _ ________________________________________________________ 

 _________________________________________________________ 

 Names of Dependent Children Dates of Birth 

_______________________________________ _______________________ 

_______________________________________ _ ______________________ 

_______________________________________ _ ______________________ 

_______________________________________ _ ______________________ 

Noncustodial Parent ______________________________________________ 

Address(es) ______________________________________________________ 

 _ _____________________________________________________ 

 _ _____________________________________________________ 

Social Security Number Date and Place of Birth 

______________________ ____________________________________________ 

Employer(s) Dat es 

_________________________________________ _ _________________ 

_________________________________________ _ _________________ 

_________________________________________ _ _________________ 

_________________________________________ _ _________________ 

_________________________________________ _ _________________ 
2

Child Support Enforcement Office 

 _ ____________________________________________________ 

 _ ____________________________________________________ 

 _ ____________________________________________________ 

Enforcement caseworker 

 _ ____________________________________________________ 

 _ ____________________________________________________ 

Case Number ______________________________ 

State Enforcement Agency 

 _ __________________________________________________ 

 _ __________________________________________________ 

 _ __________________________________________________ 

Lawyer ___________________________________________________ 

 _ __________________________________________________ 

 _ __________________________________________________ 

Courts: 

Custodial Parent _____________________________________________ 

 _ ____________________________________________ 

Noncustodial Parent _____________________________________________ 

 _____________________________________________ 

Present Support Obligation: $____________ 

To be paid _______________________ 
3

 

CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT CASE LOG 

Action Taken Date Outcome 
4

 NOTES 
5

 NOT ES 
For more information on how the child support system works in your state, 

contact your state Child Support Enforcement agency. For general information 

about the Child Support Enforcement Program, contact the Office of Child 

Support Enforcement, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, Aerospace Building, 

Washington, D.C. 20447, or visit the website at: 

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse

6