How to collect unpaid child support in Virginia

Arrears, interest and enforcement, with a letter to the agency.

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.

Short answer

Arrears means child support that is past due. 6% a year (the judgment rate) on past-due child support, unless the parent owed the support waives it in writing to the court.

License suspension
90 days or more behind, or $5,000 or more owed, after 30 days' notice.
Passport denial
Over $2,500 past due (federal law)

What the agency can do in Virginia

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

  • Income withholding
  • State and federal tax refund intercept
  • Intercept of payments from the Commonwealth
  • Credit bureau reporting
  • Liens, seizure and sale of property, orders to withhold and deliver
  • Passport denial ($2,500 or more owed)
  • Driver's, professional, occupational and recreational license suspension
  • Contempt and jail

Law: Va. Code 63.2-1916, 63.2-1937

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

What federal law adds

  • 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 unpaid support in Virginia

6% a year (the judgment rate) on past-due child support, unless the parent owed the support waives it in writing to the court. DCSE collects this interest on the cases it enforces.

Law: Va. Code 20-78.2, 63.2-1952, 6.2-302

Court action in Virginia

A court can hold a parent who does not pay in contempt; DCSE notices warn that non-payment can lead to incarceration.

Licenses in Virginia

90 days or more behind, or $5,000 or more owed, after 30 days' notice.

Law: Va. Code 63.2-1937

In nearby states

What to do now in Virginia

  1. Keep a payment record

    Keep a log of every payment and every missed payment.

  2. Open a case or ask the agency

    Ask for enforcement from Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE), Virginia Department of Social Services (1-800-468-8894) · Apply online

  3. Tell the agency about income

    Leads about income or address speed up collection.

  4. Ask about interest

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

  5. Get help

    Legal aid can help for free: Virginia Legal Aid (ValegalAid.org).

Where to get free help in Virginia

Questions about unpaid support in Virginia

How is unpaid child support collected in Virginia?

Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it: Income withholding; State and federal tax refund intercept; Intercept of payments from the Commonwealth; Credit bureau reporting; Liens, seizure and sale of property, orders to withhold and deliver; Passport denial ($2,500 or more owed); Driver's, professional, occupational and recreational license suspension; Contempt and jail.

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

90 days or more behind, or $5,000 or more owed, after 30 days' notice.

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

A court can hold a parent who does not pay in contempt; DCSE notices warn that non-payment can lead to incarceration.

What is the interest rate on arrears in Virginia?

6% a year (the judgment rate) on past-due child support, unless the parent owed the support waives it in writing to the court. DCSE collects this interest on the cases it enforces.

Keep reading about Virginia

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources