Child Support Services

Apply for child support

You can open a case online, by mail, or in person at our Child Support office.

Get ready for your visit to Child Support Services

We will help you apply for and manage your child support payments.

Cancel or reschedule your appointment about child support

If you need to change your appointment to discuss child support issues, here's what to do.

Sign up with Customer Connect to check your child support account

Use California's online service to check payment history, case information, and more.

Manage how you receive child support payments

Child support can be put into your bank account or onto a prepaid debit card.

Get recognized as a child's legal parent

Some parents need to fill out a form called a "Voluntary Declaration of Parentage" to access child support and other benefits.

Cancel a legal parentage form

If you filled out a "Voluntary Declaration of Parentage" for child support and need to cancel it, here's what to do.

Paying child support

You have many options for paying online, by phone, in person, or by mail.

Get help if you're having trouble paying child support

Staff from Child Support Services can help you understand your options.

Ask to change the amount of child support you pay

If your financial situation changes, you can ask to pay a different amount of child support.

Sign up with Customer Connect to check your child support account

Use California's online service to check payment history, case information, and more.

Apply for the Debt Reduction Program

If you're late on paying child support, find out if you're eligible for a program to lower your payments.

Get recognized as a child's legal parent

Some parents need to fill out a form called a "Voluntary Declaration of Parentage" to access child support and other benefits.

Cancel a legal parentage form

If you filled out a "Voluntary Declaration of Parentage" for child support and need to cancel it, here's what to do.

Get ready for your child support hearing

If you get a notice to attend a hearing, learn what to expect and how to prepare.

Ask for a change to your child support hearing

You can ask to change the date of your hearing.

Ask for an interpreter for your child support hearing

Get help understanding court proceedings in your language and communicating in English.

Notify an employee about their child support withholding order

For employers: What to do when you’re ordered to take child support payments from an employee’s paycheck.

Send an employee's wages to the state for child support

For employers: You can set up recurring or one-time payments electronically.