How to collect unpaid child support in Idaho
Arrears, interest and enforcement, with a letter to the agency.
Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.
Short answer
Arrears means child support that is past due. Unpaid support equal to at least 90 days of support, or $2,000, whichever is less.
- License suspension
- Unpaid support equal to at least 90 days of support, or $2,000, whichever is less.
- Passport denial
- Over $2,500 past due (federal law)
Collection tools in Idaho
Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it:
- Income withholding
- Bank account garnishment
- Credit reporting
- Lottery winnings intercept
- Federal and state tax refund intercept
- Withholding federal benefits and retirement accounts (including PERSI)
- License suspension
- Liens
- Passport denial
- Judgments
- Contempt action
Law: Idaho Code 7-1401 to 7-1417 (license suspension)
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)
Court action in Idaho
Child Support Services can bring a contempt action for nonpayment. Its fees for this range from $150 to $575 depending on how the case ends.
Licenses in Idaho
Unpaid support equal to at least 90 days of support, or $2,000, whichever is less.
Law: Idaho Code 7-1402(3), 7-1403
In nearby states
- Washington: 12% a year
- California: 10% a year
- Colorado: 10% a year
- Arizona: 10% a year
What to do now in Idaho
Keep a payment record
Keep a log of every payment and every missed payment.
Ask the agency to enforce
Contact Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Child Support Services (800-356-9868) · Apply online
Share what you know
The other parent's job, address or bank helps the agency collect.
Get the numbers in writing
Ask the agency for the total owed, with any interest.
Talk to legal aid
Free help: Idaho Legal Aid Services and Idaho State Bar Lawyer Referral Service.
Free help in Idaho
Questions about unpaid support in Idaho
What can the agency do about unpaid support in Idaho?
Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it: Income withholding; Bank account garnishment; Credit reporting; Lottery winnings intercept; Federal and state tax refund intercept; Withholding federal benefits and retirement accounts (including PERSI); License suspension; Liens; Passport denial; Judgments; Contempt action.
Can unpaid support cost a driver's license in Idaho?
Unpaid support equal to at least 90 days of support, or $2,000, whichever is less.
Can a parent go to jail for unpaid support in Idaho?
Child Support Services can bring a contempt action for nonpayment. Its fees for this range from $150 to $575 depending on how the case ends.