How to collect unpaid child support in Ohio

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. Not automatic. When the court issues or changes an order and finds the parent's default was willful, it may add interest on the arrears at the state statutory rate.

License suspension
Driver's license action can follow a final finding that the parent is in default, meaning unpaid support equal to at least one month of support, or after ignoring a subpoena or warrant.
Passport denial
Over $2,500 past due (federal law)

What the agency can do in Ohio

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

  • Income withholding (and higher withholding to pay past-due support)
  • Credit reporting
  • State and federal tax refund offset
  • Driver's and professional license suspension
  • Intercept of Ohio lottery, casino and racino winnings
  • Liens
  • Seizing money in bank accounts
  • Intercepting lump sums and other payouts
  • Civil contempt
  • Criminal penalties for nonpayment

Law: Ohio Rev. Code ch. 3121, 3123

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

Tools that work in every state

  • 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)

License suspension in Ohio

Driver's license action can follow a final finding that the parent is in default, meaning unpaid support equal to at least one month of support, or after ignoring a subpoena or warrant.

Law: Ohio Rev. Code 3121.01, 3123.53

Interest on unpaid support in Ohio

Not automatic. When the court issues or changes an order and finds the parent's default was willful, it may add interest on the arrears at the state statutory rate.

Law: Ohio Rev. Code 1343.03; Ohio Rev. Code 3123.17

Contempt of court in Ohio

A court can hold a parent in contempt for not paying. Uniform Domestic Relations Form 24 is the Motion for Contempt.

In nearby states

Your next steps in Ohio

  1. Keep a payment record

    Keep a log of every payment and every missed payment.

  2. Ask the agency to enforce

    If you don't have a case yet, open one with Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Office of Child Support (1-800-686-1556)

  3. Tell the agency about income

    Tell the agency where the other parent works or lives.

  4. Ask about interest

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

Free legal help in Ohio

Questions about unpaid support in Ohio

What happens if child support is not paid in Ohio?

Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it: Income withholding (and higher withholding to pay past-due support); Credit reporting; State and federal tax refund offset; Driver's and professional license suspension; Intercept of Ohio lottery, casino and racino winnings; Liens; Seizing money in bank accounts; Intercepting lump sums and other payouts; Civil contempt; Criminal penalties for nonpayment.

Can unpaid support cost a driver's license in Ohio?

Driver's license action can follow a final finding that the parent is in default, meaning unpaid support equal to at least one month of support, or after ignoring a subpoena or warrant.

Can a parent go to jail for unpaid support in Ohio?

A court can hold a parent in contempt for not paying. Uniform Domestic Relations Form 24 is the Motion for Contempt.

Is there interest on unpaid child support in Ohio?

Not automatic. When the court issues or changes an order and finds the parent's default was willful, it may add interest on the arrears at the state statutory rate.

Keep reading about Ohio

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources