How to collect unpaid child support in Utah

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.

Passport denial
Over $2,500 past due (federal law)

Collection tools in Utah

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
  • Intercept of state or local payments such as unemployment and workers' compensation
  • Credit bureau reporting
  • Liens on property and bank accounts
  • Passport denial
  • Driver's, professional, occupational and recreational license suspension
  • Civil contempt
  • Referral for criminal nonsupport prosecution

Law: Utah Code 81-6-202(10)(f); Title 26B, Chapter 9

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)

When the court steps in, in Utah

ORS may start civil contempt proceedings. If the court finds you in contempt, sanctions can include community service or short-term jail. Criminal nonsupport can also be prosecuted.

In nearby states

Steps to collect support in Utah

  1. Keep a payment record

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

  2. Contact the agency

    Contact Office of Recovery Services (ORS), Utah Department of Health and Human Services ((801) 536-8500) · Apply online

  3. Give the agency leads

    Tell the agency where the other parent works or lives.

  4. Ask about interest

    Request a written statement of what is owed.

  5. Talk to legal aid

    Ask for free help: Utah Legal Services.

Where to get free help in Utah

Questions about unpaid support in Utah

How is unpaid child support collected in Utah?

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; Intercept of state or local payments such as unemployment and workers' compensation; Credit bureau reporting; Liens on property and bank accounts; Passport denial; Driver's, professional, occupational and recreational license suspension; Civil contempt; Referral for criminal nonsupport prosecution.

Can a parent be held in contempt for not paying in Utah?

ORS may start civil contempt proceedings. If the court finds you in contempt, sanctions can include community service or short-term jail. Criminal nonsupport can also be prosecuted.

Keep reading about Utah

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources