Child support in the District of Columbia
The District of Columbia uses the income-shares model: both parents' incomes count, and each parent pays a share of the child's support. To open a case, contact the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, Child Support Services Division (CSSD) at (202) 442-9900.
Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026. · Free letters and checklist ↓
How much child support in the District of Columbia?
The DC Child Support Guideline uses both parents' adjusted gross incomes, child care costs, health insurance costs, other support orders and other children in the home. The Superior Court applies it at a hearing, and the result is presumed correct.
Law: D.C. Code 16-916.01
We don't estimate the District of Columbia's amount here: its formula uses both parents' incomes and other facts, and a home-made number could mislead you. The official tool gives the real starting number:
Open a child support case in the District of Columbia
- Agency
- Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, Child Support Services Division (CSSD)
- Phone
- (202) 442-9900; TTY 711
- Apply
- Apply online
- How to open a case
If your children do not get TANF or Medicaid, fill out CSSD's online enrollment form and CSSD will contact you; if they do, call or email CSSD. There is no income limit. You can also file a Petition to Establish Parentage and/or for Child Support yourself at the Family Court Central Intake Center or online, any time from the 4th month of pregnancy until the child turns 21. If both parents agree, CSSD's Conciliation Process can get a consent order, usually without a regular hearing.
- Yearly fee
Federal rule: a $35 yearly fee applies to cases that never received TANF once at least $550 of support has been collected in the federal fiscal year. Ask CSSD how it is collected in your case.
Law: 45 CFR 302.33(e)
- Forms
- Paternity (legal fatherhood)
Unmarried parents can sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP), which establishes the father without going to court. If parentage is disputed, CSSD or a parent can ask the court, which may order a DNA cheek-swab test.
The District of Columbia child support by topic
How support is calculated in the District of Columbia
The model, the percentages or the official calculator, and low-income rules.
Change child support in the District of Columbia
When you can ask, how to ask, and a review letter.
Collect unpaid support in the District of Columbia
Collection tools, interest and license rules, and a letter.
How child support is figured in the District of Columbia
- Model
- Income shares
- How it works
The DC Child Support Guideline uses both parents' adjusted gross incomes, child care costs, health insurance costs, other support orders and other children in the home. The Superior Court applies it at a hearing, and the result is presumed correct.
- Low income
A paying parent may keep a self-support reserve equal to 133% of the federal poverty guideline for one person (updated by the Mayor every 2 years). If income is below the reserve, the court decides case by case, with a presumed minimum of $75 a month that can be lowered to $0 or raised. A $75 minimum order may also be entered when there is not enough income evidence.
Law: D.C. Code 16-916.01(f-1), (g)
- Official calculator
- Official the District of Columbia child support calculator
- Health insurance and medical costs
Every order must provide medical support: health insurance, cash medical support, or both. Insurance is reasonable if it costs no more than 5% of the parent's gross income; extraordinary medical expenses are uninsured costs over $250 per child per year (CSSD; D.C. Code 16-916(c-1)).
Change a child support order in the District of Columbia
- When a change is allowed
A substantial and material change is presumed if the guideline amount for current circumstances differs from the order by 15% or more. You can also ask anytime for a substantial and material change in the child's needs or the paying parent's ability to pay. Every 3 years either parent can ask CSSD for a review in a IV-D case. If the order has no provision for each child's medical expenses, the court must add one on request. A change cannot reduce support that came due before the motion was filed, and the order does not change until a judge signs it.
Law: federal law, 42 U.S.C. 666(a)(9)
- How to ask
Call the CSSD Enforcement Unit to schedule a Review and Adjustment Conference; if both parents agree, CSSD files a consent order for a judge to sign. If not, CSSD or a parent files a Motion to Modify Child Support with DC Superior Court; a hearing is usually set within about 45 days.
Law: D.C. Code 16-916.01(r)(1)-(4); 42 U.S.C. 666(a)(9)
Can I ask for a change? Check your situation
Collect unpaid child support in the District of Columbia
Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it:
- Collection tools
- Wage withholding
- State and federal tax refund intercept
- Bank account freeze and seizure
- Insurance claim intercept
- Lottery winnings intercept
- Credit bureau reporting
- Driver's license and vehicle registration suspension
- Professional, business and recreational license suspension
- Passport denial
- Liens on real estate
- Withholding from disability and workers' compensation checks
- Civil or criminal contempt
- License suspension
Overdue support equal to at least 60 days of support payments, if the parent has income (or failure to comply with a paternity or child support subpoena or warrant).
Law: D.C. Code 46-225.01
- Contempt of court
CSSD can file a motion for civil or criminal contempt of court.
When child support ends in the District of Columbia
- Support ends
21. In DC, support usually lasts until the child turns 21.
Law: D.C. Code 46-101 (age of majority 18 does not affect child support rights); DC Superior Court
When does support end? Check your situation
Free help in the District of Columbia
Official self-help
Free letters and checklist
Ask the agency to review (change) your order
A letter to the child support agency asking for a review and adjustment.
Ask the agency to collect unpaid support
A letter asking the agency to enforce the order and collect what is past due.
Checklist: what to bring to open a case
IDs, birth certificates, the other parent's details and your papers, with the District of Columbia's agency contact.
Good to know in the District of Columbia
- Child support in DC usually lasts until age 21, later than in most states (DC Superior Court; CSSD).
- Families on TANF get up to $150 a month of the support paid passed through to them (CSSD).
- A support case can be started as early as the 4th month of pregnancy (DC Superior Court).
Federal rules in every state
- Applying. If you don't get TANF, Medicaid or foster care help, a state may charge an application fee of up to $25 to open a child support case. Law: 42 U.S.C. 654(6)(B)(i)
- Yearly fee. If you never got TANF and the agency collected at least $550 for you in a year, the state charges a $35 yearly fee. It can come out of your support, but never out of the first $550. Law: 42 U.S.C. 654(6)(B)(ii)
- Review every 3 years. If your case is with the child support agency, either parent can ask it to review the order every 3 years and adjust it to the guidelines. Law: 42 U.S.C. 666(a)(10)(A); 45 CFR 303.8
- 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)
- 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)
- How long support lasts. How long support lasts follows the law of the state that made the order, even if you move. Law: 28 U.S.C. 1738B(h)(2)
Questions about child support in the District of Columbia
How is child support calculated in the District of Columbia?
The DC Child Support Guideline uses both parents' adjusted gross incomes, child care costs, health insurance costs, other support orders and other children in the home. The Superior Court applies it at a hearing, and the result is presumed correct.
Is there an official child support calculator for the District of Columbia?
Yes: Official the District of Columbia child support calculator.
What if the paying parent has a low income in the District of Columbia?
A paying parent may keep a self-support reserve equal to 133% of the federal poverty guideline for one person (updated by the Mayor every 2 years). If income is below the reserve, the court decides case by case, with a presumed minimum of $75 a month that can be lowered to $0 or raised. A $75 minimum order may also be entered when there is not enough income evidence.
How do I apply for child support in the District of Columbia?
If your children do not get TANF or Medicaid, fill out CSSD's online enrollment form and CSSD will contact you; if they do, call or email CSSD. There is no income limit. You can also file a Petition to Establish Parentage and/or for Child Support yourself at the Family Court Central Intake Center or online, any time from the 4th month of pregnancy until the child turns 21. If both parents agree, CSSD's Conciliation Process can get a consent order, usually without a regular hearing.
Is there a yearly fee for child support services in the District of Columbia?
Federal rule: a $35 yearly fee applies to cases that never received TANF once at least $550 of support has been collected in the federal fiscal year. Ask CSSD how it is collected in your case.
When can child support be changed in the District of Columbia?
A substantial and material change is presumed if the guideline amount for current circumstances differs from the order by 15% or more. You can also ask anytime for a substantial and material change in the child's needs or the paying parent's ability to pay. Every 3 years either parent can ask CSSD for a review in a IV-D case. If the order has no provision for each child's medical expenses, the court must add one on request. A change cannot reduce support that came due before the motion was filed, and the order does not change until a judge signs it.
How do I ask to change child support in the District of Columbia?
Call the CSSD Enforcement Unit to schedule a Review and Adjustment Conference; if both parents agree, CSSD files a consent order for a judge to sign. If not, CSSD or a parent files a Motion to Modify Child Support with DC Superior Court; a hearing is usually set within about 45 days.
What happens if child support is not paid in the District of Columbia?
Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it: Wage withholding; State and federal tax refund intercept; Bank account freeze and seizure; Insurance claim intercept; Lottery winnings intercept; Credit bureau reporting; Driver's license and vehicle registration suspension; Professional, business and recreational license suspension; Passport denial; Liens on real estate; Withholding from disability and workers' compensation checks; Civil or criminal contempt.
Can a license be suspended for unpaid child support in the District of Columbia?
Overdue support equal to at least 60 days of support payments, if the parent has income (or failure to comply with a paternity or child support subpoena or warrant).
Can a parent be held in contempt for not paying in the District of Columbia?
CSSD can file a motion for civil or criminal contempt of court.
When does child support end in the District of Columbia?
21. In DC, support usually lasts until the child turns 21.
How is paternity established in the District of Columbia?
Unmarried parents can sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP), which establishes the father without going to court. If parentage is disputed, CSSD or a parent can ask the court, which may order a DNA cheek-swab test.
Who pays for the child's health insurance in the District of Columbia?
Every order must provide medical support: health insurance, cash medical support, or both. Insurance is reasonable if it costs no more than 5% of the parent's gross income; extraordinary medical expenses are uninsured costs over $250 per child per year (CSSD; D.C. Code 16-916(c-1)).
More help on our sister sites
Sources
- D.C. Code 16-916.01 (Child Support Guideline)
- D.C. Code 16-916
- D.C. Code 46-101
- D.C. Code 46-225.01 (license sanctions)
- CSSD Opening a Child Support Case
- CSSD Modifying a Child Support Order
- CSSD Enforcement Tools
- CSSD Medical Support
- CSSD The ABC's of Child Support
- DC Superior Court Parentage and Child Support Branch
Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.
- State plan requirements: application fee, annual fee, safeguards, 42 U.S.C. 654
- Required state laws: arrears as judgments, review every 3 years, UIFSA, 42 U.S.C. 666
- Federal tax refund offset, 42 U.S.C. 664
- Passport denial for child support arrears, 42 U.S.C. 652(k)
- Garnishment limits for support orders, 15 U.S.C. 1673(b)
- Full faith and credit for child support orders, 28 U.S.C. 1738B
- Office of Child Support Enforcement (federal)