The government does not pay child support

Federal and state governments do not pay child support. But they provide the help you may need to collect it from a parent.

How to establish a child support order

A court ruling or other legal procedure can establish a child support order.

Find your state or tribal child support agency and contact them for help getting the order. Start with them regardless of where the parent lives.

Learn about all the services child support agencies provide, including: 

• Finding the parent
• Establishing parentage
• Enforcing the order
• Reviewing and changing the order

Who to contact for help collecting child support within the U.S.

Find your state or tribal child support agency and contact them for help collecting child support payments.

If the parent lives in another state, you can contact the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) for more help.

Find help collecting child support from a parent outside the U.S.

Find your state or tribal child support agency and contact them. They can tell you your options depending on where you and the other parent live. You can also contact the OCSS for additional help with your international child support case.