How to collect unpaid child support in Indiana

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. Interest is not automatic. The court may order interest on unpaid support of up to 1.5% a month.

License suspension
The county prosecutor's child support office can start action to suspend a driver's, professional or occupational license when you owe at least $2,000 or are 3 months behind on court-ordered support.
Passport denial
Over $2,500 past due (federal law)

Collection tools in Indiana

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

  • Income withholding (wages, unemployment and other benefits)
  • Federal and state tax refund intercept
  • Lottery winnings and insurance settlement intercept
  • Credit bureau reporting (arrears over $1,000)
  • Driver's, professional, hunting and fishing license suspension
  • New-hire matching
  • Data matches with federal and state agencies
  • Liens on real and personal property (no minimum amount)
  • Casino, sports wagering and daily fantasy sports winnings intercept

Law: IC 31-16-12; DCS Child Support Orders page; OCSS Intergovernmental Reference Guide, Indiana profile

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

License suspension in Indiana

The county prosecutor's child support office can start action to suspend a driver's, professional or occupational license when you owe at least $2,000 or are 3 months behind on court-ordered support.

Source: OCSS Intergovernmental Reference Guide, Indiana profile

Federal collection tools

  • 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)

Does unpaid support grow in Indiana?

Interest is not automatic. The court may order interest on unpaid support of up to 1.5% a month.

Law: IC 31-16-12-2, as reported by Indiana in the OCSS Intergovernmental Reference Guide

In nearby states

Steps to collect support in Indiana

  1. Track what was paid

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

  2. Open a case or ask the agency

    If you don't have a case yet, open one with Indiana Department of Child Services, Child Support Bureau (1-800-840-8757) · Apply online

  3. Share what you know

    Tell the agency where the other parent works or lives.

  4. Ask about interest

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

  5. Get help

    Ask for free help: Indiana Legal Help and Indiana Legal Services.

Where to get free help in Indiana

Questions about unpaid support in Indiana

How is unpaid child support collected in Indiana?

Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it: Income withholding (wages, unemployment and other benefits); Federal and state tax refund intercept; Lottery winnings and insurance settlement intercept; Credit bureau reporting (arrears over $1,000); Driver's, professional, hunting and fishing license suspension; New-hire matching; Data matches with federal and state agencies; Liens on real and personal property (no minimum amount); Casino, sports wagering and daily fantasy sports winnings intercept.

Can unpaid support cost a driver's license in Indiana?

The county prosecutor's child support office can start action to suspend a driver's, professional or occupational license when you owe at least $2,000 or are 3 months behind on court-ordered support.

Does past-due support grow in Indiana?

Interest is not automatic. The court may order interest on unpaid support of up to 1.5% a month.

Related Indiana pages

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources