Child support when parents live in different states

Which order counts, who can change it, and how to collect.

Many parents live in different states. The child may live with one parent in Texas while the other works in Florida, or a family may move after the order is made. Federal law sets the rules so that one order counts and every state helps enforce it. Every state must have the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), the law that sets out how states work together on support (42 U.S.C. 666(f)).

Apply in your own state

You don't have to travel to the other parent's state to get support. Apply with the child support agency where you live. In a case between states, only your state may require an application (45 CFR 302.33(a)(1)(i)), and your agency sends the case to the other state's agency, which must provide services (45 CFR 303.7). States must offer their services to residents of other states on the same terms as their own residents (42 U.S.C. 654(6)(A)).

One order counts

Every state must enforce a child support order made by a court of another state, according to its terms (28 U.S.C. 1738B(a)). If more than one order was made, the law sets which one controls. Until a new order is properly made, keep following the one you have.

Which state can change the order

The state that made the order keeps the power to change it, called continuing, exclusive jurisdiction, as long as the child or either parent still lives there, or the parties agreed in a record or in court that it can keep the case (28 U.S.C. 1738B(d)). Another state can change the order only if no parent or child lives in the first state anymore, or if each parent filed written consent with the first state (28 U.S.C. 1738B(e)). When nobody lives in the first state, the parent who wants the change usually registers the order in the state where the other parent lives (28 U.S.C. 1738B(i)).

How long support lasts after a move

The law of the state that made the order decides how long support lasts, even if the child moves to a state with a different age (28 U.S.C. 1738B(h)(2)). End ages really differ. Examples from our state guides:

See the when support ends by state table. To collect old arrears, a court uses the longer time limit of the two states (28 U.S.C. 1738B(h)(3)).

Finding the other parent

If you don't know where the other parent lives or works, the agency can use the Federal Parent Locator Service, a national system that searches federal and state records (42 U.S.C. 653). If you fear the other parent, tell the agency: it must not release where you or your child live when it has reason to believe that could cause harm (42 U.S.C. 654(26)), and it can flag the case for family violence (42 U.S.C. 653(b)(2)).

Collecting across state lines

Income withholding, federal tax refund offset and passport denial work in every state (42 U.S.C. 664, 652(k)). The other state's agency can use its own tools too. Read what to do if child support is not paid.

Paternity from another state

A paternity acknowledgment or finding made in one state counts in every other state (42 U.S.C. 666(a)(11)). You don't need to establish it again after a move.

If you move

Tell your agency your new address. Moving does not end or change the order. If you want a new amount, ask for a review; the rules above decide which state does it. Read how to change a child support order.

Step by step

  1. Apply with the agency in the state where you live.
  2. Give the agency the other parent's state, address and employer if you know them.
  3. Keep following the order you have until a new one is made.
  4. To change the order, ask your agency which state has the power to do it.
  5. Keep copies of every order and notice.

This is general information, not legal advice. A legal aid office can help for free; each state page lists free help.