How to change child support in North Dakota

When a change is allowed, how to ask the agency or the court, and a free letter to ask for a review.

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.

Short answer

To modify an order means to change the amount by a new order. If the order is at least 1 year old, the court must bring the amount in line with the guidelines even without a material change of circumstances (unless the guideline amount is rebutted).

Agency review
Every 3 years if a parent asks (federal law)
First form
Request for Review of Child Support Order

When North Dakota allows a change

If the order is at least 1 year old, the court must bring the amount in line with the guidelines even without a material change of circumstances (unless the guideline amount is rebutted). Within 1 year of the order, you must show a material change of circumstances. Child Support reviews orders it enforces on request at least every 36 months under the statute; its own policy lets either parent in a full-services case ask every 18 months. Child Support must seek a change if the order is below 85% or above 115% of the guideline amount.

Law: N.D. Cent. Code 14-09-08.4

Can I ask for a change? Check your situation

North Dakota's rule: If the order is at least 1 year old, the court must bring the amount in line with the guidelines even without a material change of circumstances (unless the guideline amount is rebutted). Within 1 year of the order, you must show a material change of circumstances. Child Support reviews orders it enforces on request at least every 36 months under the statute; its own policy lets either parent in a full-services case ask every 18 months. Child Support must seek a change if the order is below 85% or above 115% of the guideline amount.

Law: N.D. Cent. Code 14-09-08.4

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 North Dakota: Send a Request for Review form to Child Support (full-services cases), with the Financial Declaration and Contact Information form if you pay support. The court must approve the new amount. Or file a motion in district court yourself, using the ND Legal Self Help Center's Motion to Review and Amend Child Support forms.

How a change is made in North Dakota

Send a Request for Review form to Child Support (full-services cases), with the Financial Declaration and Contact Information form if you pay support. The court must approve the new amount. Or file a motion in district court yourself, using the ND Legal Self Help Center's Motion to Review and Amend Child Support forms.

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

Recent changes in North Dakota

No change to the guidelines in 2024-2026; the current guidelines took effect July 1, 2023. The official calculator was updated January 1, 2026 for tax amounts.

Law: N.D. Admin. Code ch. 75-02-04.1

Jail, prison and support

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

What to do now in North Dakota

  1. Find your order

    The date of the order matters for the rule.

  2. Check the rule

    The rule in North Dakota: If the order is at least 1 year old, the court must bring the amount in line with the guidelines even without a material change of circumstances (unless the guideline amount is rebutted).

  3. Gather proof

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

  4. File the request

    Ask for a review with North Dakota Health and Human Services, Child Support ((701) 328-5440) · Apply online

  5. Talk to legal aid

    Legal aid can help for free: Legal Services of North Dakota.

Free help in North Dakota

Questions about changing support in North Dakota

How often can I ask for a change in North Dakota?

If the order is at least 1 year old, the court must bring the amount in line with the guidelines even without a material change of circumstances (unless the guideline amount is rebutted). Within 1 year of the order, you must show a material change of circumstances. Child Support reviews orders it enforces on request at least every 36 months under the statute; its own policy lets either parent in a full-services case ask every 18 months. Child Support must seek a change if the order is below 85% or above 115% of the guideline amount.

Where do I file to change support in North Dakota?

Send a Request for Review form to Child Support (full-services cases), with the Financial Declaration and Contact Information form if you pay support. The court must approve the new amount. Or file a motion in district court yourself, using the ND Legal Self Help Center's Motion to Review and Amend Child Support forms.

Keep reading about North Dakota

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources