Child Support & Collections

Services



What is Child Support?


Child Support is the contribution a parent makes for their children towards care, living expenses, and medical support.  All of Minnesota's 87 counties are federally mandated to provide child support services for families.  Child Support includes:

  • Basic support
  • Child care support
  • Medical support

Child Support Services Available


The Child Support unit provides assistance to children by:

  • Establishing paternity
  • Locating absent parents
  • Establishing/enforcing/modifying support orders (which includes child support, medical support, and child care support whether the parent lives in Minnesota or not)
  • Collecting support payments

Single parents of the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), Medical Assistance (MA) and Child Care Assistance (CCAP) programs are automatically referred and are required to use this service.

NOTE:  Services that are NOT provided by the Child Support unit include: divorce, visitation and custody, alimony establishment, and legal advice or counsel.  We cannot arrange genetic testing once paternity is resolved by a court order or the signing of a Recognition of Parentage.


How to apply for Services


Parents who do not receive public assistance can apply for child support services at no cost of the time of application.  A $35 annual collection fee is charged if appropriate.  An applicant for the services will also pay a 2% MN cost recovery fee which pays for some of the costs associated with operating the Minnesota Child Support Program.

Contact us at 763-682-7414 to request an application or for more information.

Modify Court Orders


Parents who pay or receive child support may complete a request online to modify your court ordered child support. This process may initiate a legal action. Use the Child Support Information link provided and select Child Support ezDocs. You will be asked to obtain a password prior to using the forms. To obtain a password, call the Minnesota Child Support Enforcement Division - CSED at 651-431-4400. Select option 4 and ask for a password to begin using Child Support ezDocs.

To use Child Support ezDocs, you must have an open child support case in a Minnesota county. You should also have access to important information about your case(s), income, health care coverage, and child care expense before using this web tool.

More Information


Follow these links for more information and resources:

Pay By Mail


Mail Child Support payments to:
  • Minnesota Child Support Payment Center
    P.O. Box 64326
    St. Paul, MN 55164-0326
Please include your participant/MCI number and your name if it is not already pre-printed on your check.

Online Child Support


With their Participant number and PIN number, child support participants can get the following information at
Minnesota Child Support Online or by calling the Payment Line at 1-800-657-3512.
  • Financial history
  • General case information
  • Information about the child support program