How to collect unpaid child support in California

How unpaid support is collected, interest and license rules, and a free letter asking the agency to enforce.

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.

Short answer

Arrears means child support that is past due. 10% a year on unpaid support.

Interest on unpaid support: 10% a year
License suspension: Payment more than 30 days overdue triggers a notice to licensing agencies; you get 150 days to respond the first time and 30 days the next time.
Passport denial: Over $2,500 past due (federal law)

Collection tools in California

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

Income withholding
State and federal tax refund intercept
Interception of unemployment, disability, workers' compensation, lottery winnings and insurance settlements
Driver's, professional and recreational license suspension
Passport denial
Liens on property and bank accounts
Credit bureau reporting
Contempt of court

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

When a license can be suspended in California

Payment more than 30 days overdue triggers a notice to licensing agencies; you get 150 days to respond the first time and 30 days the next time. A DMV driver's license is not suspended if your income is at or below 70% of your county's median income.

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)

Court action in California

In extreme cases the court can find a parent in contempt, which can lead to arrest and jail, used only when other tools have failed (DCSS).

Interest on arrears in California

10% a year on unpaid support.

Source: DCSS FAQ

In nearby states

Arizona: 10% a year
Washington: 12% a year
Colorado: 10% a year
New Mexico: 4% a year

Your next steps in California

Keep a payment record
Keep a log of every payment and every missed payment.
Ask the agency to enforce
Contact California Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) (1-866-901-3212) · Apply online
Tell the agency about income
Tell the agency where the other parent works or lives.
Check the balance
Ask whether interest is added and how much is owed in total.
Talk to legal aid
Ask for free help: Family law facilitator in your county (free, court-based).

Where to get free help in California

Questions about unpaid support in California

What happens if child support is not paid in California?

Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it: Income withholding; State and federal tax refund intercept; Interception of unemployment, disability, workers' compensation, lottery winnings and insurance settlements; Driver's, professional and recreational license suspension; Passport denial; Liens on property and bank accounts; Credit bureau reporting; Contempt of court.

Can unpaid support cost a driver's license in California?

Can a parent be held in contempt for not paying in California?

In extreme cases the court can find a parent in contempt, which can lead to arrest and jail, used only when other tools have failed (DCSS).

Does past-due support grow in California?

10% a year on unpaid support.

Keep reading about California

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources