How to collect unpaid child support in Minnesota

How unpaid support is collected, interest and license rules, and a free letter asking the agency to enforce.

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.

Short answer

Arrears means child support that is past due. No interest. Since August 1, 2022, interest does not accrue on past, current or future child support judgments.

Interest on unpaid support
No interest
License suspension
Arrears equal to or more than three times the total monthly support and maintenance, and not following a written payment agreement.
Passport denial
Over $2,500 past due (federal law)

How support is collected 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

Law: Minn. Stat. §§518A.39, 518A.65, 548.091

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

When a license can be suspended 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.

Law: Minn. Stat. §518A.65

What federal law adds

  • 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 Minnesota?

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

Court action in Minnesota

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

In nearby states

Your next steps in Minnesota

  1. Keep a payment record

    Keep a log of every payment and every missed payment.

  2. Contact the agency

    Ask for enforcement from Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Child Support Division

  3. Tell the agency about income

    Leads about income or address speed up collection.

  4. Get the numbers in writing

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

Free help in Minnesota

Questions about unpaid support in Minnesota

What can the agency do about unpaid support 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 unpaid support cost a driver's license 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 go to jail for unpaid support in Minnesota?

A parent or the county can bring a motion for contempt of court if the paying parent is behind.

What is the interest rate on arrears in Minnesota?

No interest. Since August 1, 2022, interest does not accrue on past, current or future child support judgments.

Related Minnesota pages

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources