How to collect unpaid child support in Alaska

The agency's collection tools, what federal law adds, and a ready letter to ask for enforcement.

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.

Short answer

Arrears means child support that is past due. Interest on past-due support is charged at 6% a year (or a lower federal maximum), after notice, when payments are 10 or more days late.

License suspension
CSED says a case qualifies for license action when arrears reach four times the monthly support amount, or $1,000 or more with no payment in 60 days.
Passport denial
Over $2,500 past due (federal law)

How support is collected in Alaska

Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it:

  • Income withholding from wages, unemployment and other benefits
  • Taking all or part of the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD)
  • Federal tax refund offset
  • Liens on property and bank accounts
  • Driver's and occupational license action
  • Credit bureau reporting

Law: AS 25.27.020, 25.27.244, 25.27.246

Ask the agency in writing to collect what is owed: Ask the agency to collect unpaid support

License suspension in Alaska

CSED says a case qualifies for license action when arrears reach four times the monthly support amount, or $1,000 or more with no payment in 60 days. By statute, you are on the list if you owe more than four times your monthly support. You first get a 60-day notice; a driver's license is then suspended after a 150-day notice unless you get a release, for example by signing a payment agreement.

Law: AS 25.27.244, 25.27.246

Interest on unpaid support in Alaska

Interest on past-due support is charged at 6% a year (or a lower federal maximum), after notice, when payments are 10 or more days late. No interest is charged on a late current payment if support is being withheld from your wages, unemployment or workers' compensation.

Law: AS 25.27.020(a)(2)(B), 25.27.025

Tools that work in every state

  • Tax refunds. The federal government can take a federal tax refund to pay past-due child support. Law: 42 U.S.C. 664
  • Passports. A parent who owes more than $2,500 in past-due support can be refused a passport. Law: 42 U.S.C. 652(k)
  • Pay withholding limit. For support, up to 50% of take-home pay can be withheld if the parent supports another spouse or child, or 60% if not. It is 55% or 65% when support is more than 12 weeks behind. Law: 15 U.S.C. 1673(b)
  • Past-due support. Each unpaid payment becomes a judgment on the day it is due. It can't be lowered later, except back to the date the other parent got notice of a request to change the order. Law: 42 U.S.C. 666(a)(9)

In nearby states

Steps to collect support in Alaska

  1. Write down every payment

    Note the date and amount of each payment, and each missed one.

  2. Contact the agency

    If you don't have a case yet, open one with Alaska Department of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED) ((907) 269-6900) · Apply online

  3. Share what you know

    Tell the agency where the other parent works or lives.

  4. Ask about interest

    Ask whether interest is added and how much is owed in total.

Where to get free help in Alaska

Questions about unpaid support in Alaska

What can the agency do about unpaid support in Alaska?

Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it: Income withholding from wages, unemployment and other benefits; Taking all or part of the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD); Federal tax refund offset; Liens on property and bank accounts; Driver's and occupational license action; Credit bureau reporting.

When can Alaska suspend a license for support?

CSED says a case qualifies for license action when arrears reach four times the monthly support amount, or $1,000 or more with no payment in 60 days. By statute, you are on the list if you owe more than four times your monthly support. You first get a 60-day notice; a driver's license is then suspended after a 150-day notice unless you get a release, for example by signing a payment agreement.

Is there interest on unpaid child support in Alaska?

Interest on past-due support is charged at 6% a year (or a lower federal maximum), after notice, when payments are 10 or more days late. No interest is charged on a late current payment if support is being withheld from your wages, unemployment or workers' compensation.

More for Alaska

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources