How to collect unpaid child support in North Carolina

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. A judge can order revocation of a driver's license when the parent is 90 days behind in payments; CSS can also ask licensing boards to revoke professional or occupational licenses.

License suspension
A judge can order revocation of a driver's license when the parent is 90 days behind in payments; CSS can also ask licensing boards to revoke professional or occupational licenses.
Passport denial
Over $2,500 past due (federal law)

Collection tools in North Carolina

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

  • Income withholding
  • Federal and state tax refund intercept (federal: $500+ owed in non-assistance cases; state: $50+)
  • Credit bureau reporting
  • Passport denial or revocation (over $2,500 owed)
  • Liens on property (3 months' support or $3,000, whichever is less)
  • Bank account levy (6 months' support or $1,000, whichever is less)
  • Driver's, professional/occupational and hunting/fishing (wildlife) license revocation
  • Contempt of court and jail

Law: N.C.G.S. 50-13.4; 5A-21 (civil contempt); NC DHHS CSS FAQ

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

Licenses in North Carolina

A judge can order revocation of a driver's license when the parent is 90 days behind in payments; CSS can also ask licensing boards to revoke professional or occupational licenses. Licenses are not reissued until the debt is paid or a payment plan is set up.

Source: NC DHHS CSS FAQ.

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)

Court action in North Carolina

If you don't have a CSS case, you can file a Motion and Order to Show Cause (AOC-CV-601) asking the court to hold the other parent in contempt; a judge can order wage withholding or jail.

In nearby states

Steps to collect support in North Carolina

  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 NC DHHS Child Support Services (CSS), Division of Social Services (1-800-992-9457) · Apply online

  3. Share what you know

    The other parent's job, address or bank helps the agency collect.

  4. Get the numbers in writing

    Request a written statement of what is owed.

  5. Ask for free help

    Free help: Legal Aid of North Carolina.

Where to get free help in North Carolina

Questions about unpaid support in North Carolina

What can the agency do about unpaid support in North Carolina?

Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it: Income withholding; Federal and state tax refund intercept (federal: $500+ owed in non-assistance cases; state: $50+); Credit bureau reporting; Passport denial or revocation (over $2,500 owed); Liens on property (3 months' support or $3,000, whichever is less); Bank account levy (6 months' support or $1,000, whichever is less); Driver's, professional/occupational and hunting/fishing (wildlife) license revocation; Contempt of court and jail.

Can unpaid support cost a driver's license in North Carolina?

A judge can order revocation of a driver's license when the parent is 90 days behind in payments; CSS can also ask licensing boards to revoke professional or occupational licenses. Licenses are not reissued until the debt is paid or a payment plan is set up.

What can a court do about unpaid support in North Carolina?

If you don't have a CSS case, you can file a Motion and Order to Show Cause (AOC-CV-601) asking the court to hold the other parent in contempt; a judge can order wage withholding or jail.

Related North Carolina pages

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources