How to collect unpaid child support in the District of Columbia

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. 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).

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).
Passport denial
Over $2,500 past due (federal law)

What the agency can do 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

Law: D.C. Code 46-225.01

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

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)

When a license can be suspended 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).

Law: D.C. Code 46-225.01

When the court steps in, in the District of Columbia

CSSD can file a motion for civil or criminal contempt of court.

In nearby states

Your next steps in the District of Columbia

  1. Keep a payment record

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

  2. Open a case or ask the agency

    Ask for enforcement from Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, Child Support Services Division (CSSD) ((202) 442-9900) · Apply online

  3. Tell the agency about income

    Tell the agency where the other parent works or lives.

  4. Check the balance

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

  5. Ask for free help

    Ask for free help: DC Family Court Self-Help Center.

Where to get free help in the District of Columbia

Questions about unpaid support in the District of Columbia

What can the agency do about unpaid support 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 unpaid support cost a driver's license 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.

Related the District of Columbia pages

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources