Child support in Minnesota
Minnesota uses the income-shares model: both parents' incomes count, and each parent pays a share of the child's support. To open a case, contact the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Child Support Division.
Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026. · Free letters and checklist ↓
How much child support in Minnesota?
Each parent's monthly income (PICS) is added together. The state table gives basic support for that combined income and the number of children, and each parent pays a share by percentage of income. Child care and medical support are added, and the amount is adjusted for parenting time.
Law: Minn. Stat. §§518A.26 to 518A.43
We don't estimate Minnesota's amount here: its formula uses both parents' incomes and other facts, and a home-made number could mislead you. The official tool gives the real starting number:
Open a child support case in Minnesota
- How to open a case
Apply for child support services through your county child support office. If you get MFIP, Medical Assistance or child care assistance, a case may be opened for you. You can also ask the district court for support in a divorce, custody or parentage case.
- Yearly fee
$35 a year for a parent who has never received public assistance, once at least $550 has been collected; it is taken from support collected, but not from the first $550. If you applied for full services, there is also a 2% cost recovery fee on support collected (not charged while you get MFIP, foster care or Medical Assistance, or until 24 months after MFIP or foster care ends), and $25 for each successful federal tax refund intercept.
Law: Minn. Stat. §518A.51
- Paternity (legal fatherhood)
Unmarried parents can sign a Recognition of Parentage in front of a notary and file it with the state registrar of vital records. If parentage is disputed, the court or the county child support office can order genetic tests, and must if a party asks.
Law: Minn. Stat. §257.75; Minn. Stat. §257.62
Minnesota child support by topic
How support is calculated in Minnesota
The model, the percentages or the official calculator, and low-income rules.
Change child support in Minnesota
When you can ask, how to ask, and a review letter.
Collect unpaid support in Minnesota
Collection tools, interest and license rules, and a letter.
When support ends in Minnesota
The end age, high school and disability rules.
How child support is figured in Minnesota
- Model
- Income shares
- How it works
Each parent's monthly income (PICS) is added together. The state table gives basic support for that combined income and the number of children, and each parent pays a share by percentage of income. Child care and medical support are added, and the amount is adjusted for parenting time.
- Low income
Support is presumed not to exceed the paying parent's ability to pay: a self-support reserve of 120% of the federal poverty guideline for one person is subtracted from that parent's income. The minimum basic support is $50 a month for one child, $60 for two, up to $100 for six or more, and a parent ordered to pay the minimum is presumed unable to pay child care and medical support.
Law: Minn. Stat. §518A.42
- Official calculator
- Official Minnesota child support calculator
- Health insurance and medical costs
The court orders medical support, which can include private health coverage and a share of uninsured costs. Private dependent coverage is presumed affordable if the premium for the child is no more than 5% of the parents' combined monthly income. A paying parent with income under 200% of the poverty guideline, or on public assistance, is not ordered to contribute toward public health coverage.
Law: Minn. Stat. §518A.41
Law: Minn. Stat. §§518A.26 to 518A.43
Change a child support order in Minnesota
- When a change is allowed
A change is presumed when the guidelines applied to current circumstances give an amount at least 20% and at least $75 a month higher or lower than the current order (if the order is under $75, at least 20%), or when a parent's gross income has dropped at least 20% through no fault or choice of their own. Other reasons include substantially changed income or needs, changed health coverage or child care costs, or emancipation of a child. Having a new child with someone else does not by itself justify a change.
Law: Minn. Stat. §518A.39, subd. 2
- How to ask
File a motion to modify in district court, or ask your county child support office (the public authority), which can bring the motion. Serve a copy on the county if payments go through it.
Can I ask for a change? Check your situation
Collect unpaid child support in Minnesota
Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it:
- Collection tools
- Income withholding
- Driver's license suspension
- Occupational and recreational license suspension
- Tax refund intercept
- Judgments and liens
- Contempt of court
- License suspension
Arrears equal to or more than three times the total monthly support and maintenance, and not following a written payment agreement. Since January 1, 2026, the county also needs your mailing address and you must have a valid Minnesota driver's license.
Law: Minn. Stat. §518A.65
- Contempt of court
A parent or the county can bring a motion for contempt of court if the paying parent is behind.
Law: Minn. Stat. §518A.39, subd. 1
- Interest on unpaid support
No interest. Since August 1, 2022, interest does not accrue on past, current or future child support judgments.
Law: Minn. Stat. §548.091, subd. 1a
Law: Minn. Stat. §§518A.39, 518A.65, 548.091
When child support ends in Minnesota
- Support ends
18, or up to 20 if the child is still attending secondary school
- Exceptions
Support can continue for a child who cannot support themselves because of a physical or mental condition.
Law: Minn. Stat. §518A.26, subd. 5
When does support end? Check your situation
Free help in Minnesota
Official self-help
Free letters and checklist
Ask the agency to review (change) your order
A letter to the child support agency asking for a review and adjustment.
Ask the agency to collect unpaid support
A letter asking the agency to enforce the order and collect what is past due.
Checklist: what to bring to open a case
IDs, birth certificates, the other parent's details and your papers, with Minnesota's agency contact.
Good to know in Minnesota
- Minnesota stopped charging interest on child support judgments on August 1, 2022 (Minn. Stat. §548.091).
- A child still in high school can receive support until age 20 in Minnesota (Minn. Stat. §518A.26).
- Full-service cases pay a 2% cost recovery fee on support collected (Minn. Stat. §518A.51).
Changes in 2024–2026
Child support moved to the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families (the statutes now refer to the commissioner of children, youth, and families). Driver's license suspension rules changed January 1, 2026: the parent must have a valid license and the county must know the parent's mailing address.
Law: 2023 Minn. Laws ch. 70
Federal rules in every state
- Applying. If you don't get TANF, Medicaid or foster care help, a state may charge an application fee of up to $25 to open a child support case. Law: 42 U.S.C. 654(6)(B)(i)
- Yearly fee. If you never got TANF and the agency collected at least $550 for you in a year, the state charges a $35 yearly fee. It can come out of your support, but never out of the first $550. Law: 42 U.S.C. 654(6)(B)(ii)
- Review every 3 years. If your case is with the child support agency, either parent can ask it to review the order every 3 years and adjust it to the guidelines. Law: 42 U.S.C. 666(a)(10)(A); 45 CFR 303.8
- 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)
- 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)
- How long support lasts. How long support lasts follows the law of the state that made the order, even if you move. Law: 28 U.S.C. 1738B(h)(2)
Questions about child support in Minnesota
How is child support calculated in Minnesota?
Each parent's monthly income (PICS) is added together. The state table gives basic support for that combined income and the number of children, and each parent pays a share by percentage of income. Child care and medical support are added, and the amount is adjusted for parenting time.
Is there an official child support calculator for Minnesota?
What if the paying parent has a low income in Minnesota?
Support is presumed not to exceed the paying parent's ability to pay: a self-support reserve of 120% of the federal poverty guideline for one person is subtracted from that parent's income. The minimum basic support is $50 a month for one child, $60 for two, up to $100 for six or more, and a parent ordered to pay the minimum is presumed unable to pay child care and medical support.
How do I apply for child support in Minnesota?
Apply for child support services through your county child support office. If you get MFIP, Medical Assistance or child care assistance, a case may be opened for you. You can also ask the district court for support in a divorce, custody or parentage case.
Is there a yearly fee for child support services in Minnesota?
$35 a year for a parent who has never received public assistance, once at least $550 has been collected; it is taken from support collected, but not from the first $550. If you applied for full services, there is also a 2% cost recovery fee on support collected (not charged while you get MFIP, foster care or Medical Assistance, or until 24 months after MFIP or foster care ends), and $25 for each successful federal tax refund intercept.
When can child support be changed in Minnesota?
A change is presumed when the guidelines applied to current circumstances give an amount at least 20% and at least $75 a month higher or lower than the current order (if the order is under $75, at least 20%), or when a parent's gross income has dropped at least 20% through no fault or choice of their own. Other reasons include substantially changed income or needs, changed health coverage or child care costs, or emancipation of a child. Having a new child with someone else does not by itself justify a change.
How do I ask to change child support in Minnesota?
File a motion to modify in district court, or ask your county child support office (the public authority), which can bring the motion. Serve a copy on the county if payments go through it.
What happens if child support is not paid in Minnesota?
Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it: Income withholding; Driver's license suspension; Occupational and recreational license suspension; Tax refund intercept; Judgments and liens; Contempt of court.
Can a license be suspended for unpaid child support in Minnesota?
Arrears equal to or more than three times the total monthly support and maintenance, and not following a written payment agreement. Since January 1, 2026, the county also needs your mailing address and you must have a valid Minnesota driver's license.
Can a parent be held in contempt for not paying in Minnesota?
A parent or the county can bring a motion for contempt of court if the paying parent is behind.
Is there interest on unpaid child support in Minnesota?
No interest. Since August 1, 2022, interest does not accrue on past, current or future child support judgments.
When does child support end in Minnesota?
18, or up to 20 if the child is still attending secondary school
Does child support continue while my child finishes high school in Minnesota?
18, or up to 20 if the child is still attending secondary school
Can child support continue past the usual age in Minnesota?
Support can continue for a child who cannot support themselves because of a physical or mental condition.
How is paternity established in Minnesota?
Unmarried parents can sign a Recognition of Parentage in front of a notary and file it with the state registrar of vital records. If parentage is disputed, the court or the county child support office can order genetic tests, and must if a party asks.
Who pays for the child's health insurance in Minnesota?
The court orders medical support, which can include private health coverage and a share of uninsured costs. Private dependent coverage is presumed affordable if the premium for the child is no more than 5% of the parents' combined monthly income. A paying parent with income under 200% of the poverty guideline, or on public assistance, is not ordered to contribute toward public health coverage.
More help on our sister sites
Sources
- Minn. Stat. §518A.26 Definitions (child)
- Minn. Stat. §518A.35 Guideline
- Minn. Stat. §518A.39 Modification
- Minn. Stat. §518A.41 Medical support
- Minn. Stat. §518A.42 Ability to pay; minimum
- Minn. Stat. §518A.51 Fees for IV-D services
- Minn. Stat. §518A.65 Driver's license suspension
- Minn. Stat. §548.091 Child support judgments; no interest
- Minn. Stat. §257.75 Recognition of parentage
- Minn. Stat. §257.62 Genetic tests
Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.
- State plan requirements: application fee, annual fee, safeguards, 42 U.S.C. 654
- Required state laws: arrears as judgments, review every 3 years, UIFSA, 42 U.S.C. 666
- Federal tax refund offset, 42 U.S.C. 664
- Passport denial for child support arrears, 42 U.S.C. 652(k)
- Garnishment limits for support orders, 15 U.S.C. 1673(b)
- Full faith and credit for child support orders, 28 U.S.C. 1738B
- Office of Child Support Enforcement (federal)