Human Services Dept.
Every child is entitled to financial and emotional support from both parents.
Any parent who has custody of a child may have a right to receive child support from the child's other parent. Any parent who does not live with his or her children may be ordered to pay child support. Just naming a father on the child's birth certificate does not legally establish parentage, and does not automatically require the father to pay child support. Your county child support office can help you establish parentage, either through the Recognition of Parentage process or a paternity action. For more information about child support collection services, please call Child Support Enforcement at Stearns County, 320.656.6086.