How to change child support in Minnesota

How and when to ask for a new amount, with a review letter.

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.

Short answer

To modify an order means to change the amount by a new order. 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.

Agency review
Every 3 years if a parent asks (federal law)

When you can ask for a change 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.

Law: Minn. Stat. §518A.39, subd. 2

Can I ask for a change? Check your situation

Minnesota's rule: 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

Until a new order is made, the current amount is still owed. A change can count only from the date the other parent gets notice of your request, so ask soon.

Law: 42 U.S.C. 666(a)(9)

How to ask 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.

How to ask for a change 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.

Write to the child support agency to ask for a review: Ask the agency to review (change) your order

Recent changes in Minnesota

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

Incarceration and changes

State guidelines may not treat time in jail or prison as choosing not to work, when support is set or changed.

Law: 45 CFR 302.56(c)(3)

In nearby states

Your next steps in Minnesota

  1. Get the order

    The date of the order matters for the rule.

  2. Check the rule

    The rule 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.

  3. Show the change

    Pay stubs, a job loss letter or proof of new costs show what changed.

  4. File the request

    Request a review from Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Child Support Division

Free help in Minnesota

Questions about changing support in Minnesota

What counts as a reason to change support 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.

Related Minnesota pages

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources