How to collect unpaid child support in Tennessee

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. In cases handled by the state Child Support Program (Title IV-D cases), interest on past-due support is not added unless a court makes a written finding that it should accrue; the court can then charge up to 6% a year (rule since July 1, 2018; Tenn. Code 36-5-101(f)(1), as reported in the OCSS Intergovernmental Reference Guide, Tennessee profile).

License suspension
For driver's license action, the state program's criteria are $500 or more in arrears and payments at least 90 days behind.
Passport denial
Over $2,500 past due (federal law)

Collection tools in Tennessee

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

  • Income withholding
  • Liens on bank accounts and property
  • Driver's license revocation
  • Professional, trade and occupational license suspension
  • Federal tax refund offset
  • Lottery winnings intercept
  • Credit bureau reporting
  • Passport denial
  • Court action when administrative tools do not work

Law: Tennessee DHS Child Support Program Fact Sheet; OCSS Intergovernmental Reference Guide, Tennessee profile

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

Does unpaid support grow in Tennessee?

In cases handled by the state Child Support Program (Title IV-D cases), interest on past-due support is not added unless a court makes a written finding that it should accrue; the court can then charge up to 6% a year (rule since July 1, 2018; Tenn. Code 36-5-101(f)(1), as reported in the OCSS Intergovernmental Reference Guide, Tennessee profile). Interest owed to the receiving parent can be forgiven through DHS's Debt Compromise program.

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)

When a license can be suspended in Tennessee

For driver's license action, the state program's criteria are $500 or more in arrears and payments at least 90 days behind.

Source: OCSS Intergovernmental Reference Guide, Tennessee profile

In nearby states

Your next steps in Tennessee

  1. Track what was paid

    A simple list of payments received and missed helps the agency.

  2. Open a case or ask the agency

    Contact Tennessee Department of Human Services, Child Support Program ((833) 772-TDHS (8347)) · Apply online

  3. Tell the agency about income

    Tell the agency where the other parent works or lives.

  4. Check the balance

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

  5. Get help

    Legal aid can help for free: Help4TN (Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services).

Free help in Tennessee

Questions about unpaid support in Tennessee

What can the agency do about unpaid support in Tennessee?

Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it: Income withholding; Liens on bank accounts and property; Driver's license revocation; Professional, trade and occupational license suspension; Federal tax refund offset; Lottery winnings intercept; Credit bureau reporting; Passport denial; Court action when administrative tools do not work.

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

For driver's license action, the state program's criteria are $500 or more in arrears and payments at least 90 days behind.

Is there interest on unpaid child support in Tennessee?

In cases handled by the state Child Support Program (Title IV-D cases), interest on past-due support is not added unless a court makes a written finding that it should accrue; the court can then charge up to 6% a year (rule since July 1, 2018; Tenn. Code 36-5-101(f)(1), as reported in the OCSS Intergovernmental Reference Guide, Tennessee profile). Interest owed to the receiving parent can be forgiven through DHS's Debt Compromise program.

Keep reading about Tennessee

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources