How to collect unpaid child support in Florida

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. Unpaid support can become a final judgment by operation of law. The depository charges interest on support judgments at the statutory judgment rate set under Fla. Stat. 55.03.

License suspension
The agency may send a notice of intent to suspend once a payment is 15 days late.
Passport denial
Over $2,500 past due (federal law)

What the agency can do in Florida

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

  • Income withholding
  • Driver's license and vehicle registration suspension
  • Professional and recreational license suspension
  • Passport denial
  • Federal tax refund intercept
  • Liens on motor vehicles and boats
  • Bank account levy
  • Collection from insurance settlements and workers' compensation
  • Credit bureau reporting
  • Judgment by operation of law
  • Court action, including contempt

Law: Fla. Stat. 61.13016; 61.14(6)

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 Florida

The agency may send a notice of intent to suspend once a payment is 15 days late. You then have 20 days to pay, sign a payment agreement or contest it, or the license is suspended.

Law: Fla. Stat. 61.13016

Interest on arrears in Florida

Unpaid support can become a final judgment by operation of law. The depository charges interest on support judgments at the statutory judgment rate set under Fla. Stat. 55.03.

Law: Fla. Stat. 61.14(6)(d)

When the court steps in, in Florida

The Child Support Program can take a parent to court for nonpayment. Outcomes can include payment of past-due support, contempt of court, a work search or job training.

In nearby states

Your next steps in Florida

  1. Keep a payment record

    A simple list of payments received and missed helps the agency.

  2. Ask the agency to enforce

    If you don't have a case yet, open one with Florida Department of Revenue, Child Support Program (850-488-5437) · Apply online

  3. Share what you know

    The other parent's job, address or bank helps the agency collect.

  4. Check the balance

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

Where to get free help in Florida

Questions about unpaid support in Florida

What happens if child support is not paid in Florida?

Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it: Income withholding; Driver's license and vehicle registration suspension; Professional and recreational license suspension; Passport denial; Federal tax refund intercept; Liens on motor vehicles and boats; Bank account levy; Collection from insurance settlements and workers' compensation; Credit bureau reporting; Judgment by operation of law; Court action, including contempt.

Can a license be suspended for unpaid child support in Florida?

The agency may send a notice of intent to suspend once a payment is 15 days late. You then have 20 days to pay, sign a payment agreement or contest it, or the license is suspended.

What can a court do about unpaid support in Florida?

The Child Support Program can take a parent to court for nonpayment. Outcomes can include payment of past-due support, contempt of court, a work search or job training.

Does past-due support grow in Florida?

Unpaid support can become a final judgment by operation of law. The depository charges interest on support judgments at the statutory judgment rate set under Fla. Stat. 55.03.

Related Florida pages

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources