How to collect unpaid child support in Oregon

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. Unpaid support accrues interest at Oregon's legal judgment rate of 9% a year, simple interest; Oregon support law refers to the accrual of interest under ORS 82.010.

License suspension
Arrears equal to the greater of 3 months of support or $2,500, with no payment agreement or not following one
Passport denial
Over $2,500 past due (federal law)

How support is collected in Oregon

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
  • Liens on property in Oregon
  • Garnishing lottery winnings, insurance settlements, inheritances and bank accounts
  • Suspending driver's, recreational and occupational licenses
  • Passport denial
  • Credit bureau reporting
  • Contempt of court (possible jail)

Law: ORS 25.750; Oregon Child Support Program, Compliance

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

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)

Interest on arrears in Oregon

Unpaid support accrues interest at Oregon's legal judgment rate of 9% a year, simple interest; Oregon support law refers to the accrual of interest under ORS 82.010.

Law: ORS 82.010(2); ORS 25.166(4)

License suspension in Oregon

Arrears equal to the greater of 3 months of support or $2,500, with no payment agreement or not following one

Law: ORS 25.750

When the court steps in, in Oregon

The program can bring a contempt action in circuit court for failure to pay; the judge may impose a jail sentence.

In nearby states

What to do now in Oregon

  1. Track what was paid

    Note the date and amount of each payment, and each missed one.

  2. Contact the agency

    If you don't have a case yet, open one with Oregon Child Support Program (Oregon Department of Justice, Division of Child Support) (503-373-7300) · Apply online

  3. Give the agency leads

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

  4. Get the numbers in writing

    Ask the agency for the total owed, with any interest.

Free help in Oregon

Questions about unpaid support in Oregon

What happens if child support is not paid in Oregon?

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; Liens on property in Oregon; Garnishing lottery winnings, insurance settlements, inheritances and bank accounts; Suspending driver's, recreational and occupational licenses; Passport denial; Credit bureau reporting; Contempt of court (possible jail).

Can a license be suspended for unpaid child support in Oregon?

Arrears equal to the greater of 3 months of support or $2,500, with no payment agreement or not following one

What can a court do about unpaid support in Oregon?

The program can bring a contempt action in circuit court for failure to pay; the judge may impose a jail sentence.

Is there interest on unpaid child support in Oregon?

Unpaid support accrues interest at Oregon's legal judgment rate of 9% a year, simple interest; Oregon support law refers to the accrual of interest under ORS 82.010.

Related Oregon pages

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources