The Department of Human Services' Division of Child Support Services helps you collect or pay child support.
- Before opening a child support case, collect any relevant documents - your children's birth certificates and Social Security cards, court custody orders, proof of income, and contact information for both parents.
- Private agencies may claim to help you collect child support, but many of these will charge you a fee. Be suspicious of them. The Division of Child Support Services offers assistance at little or no cost, and you'll receive 100% of child support payments owed to your family.
- Apply online and pay the $25 fee by credit card, money order or personal check. If you receive benefits from Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) or Medicaid, you can apply for free.
- Find the parent who doesn't have custody. Where does that parent live and work?
- If you're a mother, confirm that the father is legally recognized as a parent. If you aren't sure who your child's father is, Child Support Services will help you set up an appointment for genetic testing.
- File a support order.
You can receive payments through either a debit card or direct deposit. Learn more about payments.
Many states require payments to be pulled directly from your paycheck. If you send payments on your own, however, you can do so online through your bank account, your credit card or Western Union. You may also send your payments by mail. Read more about this.
Both parents have the right to ask DCSS to review a child support order three years after the order becomes effective, unless either parent can show substantial change in circumstances for orders less than three years old. The request must be made in writing to the child support office handling your case.
When the non-custodial parent does not pay the full amount or does not pay at all, enforcement action is necessary.
Source: Department of Human Services, Division of Child Support Services. This information was prepared as a public service of the State of Georgia to provide general information, not to advise on any specific legal problem. It is not, and cannot be construed to be, legal advice. If you have questions regarding any matter contained on this page, please speak with the agency that is the source of the information.