How to collect unpaid child support in Washington

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. 12% a year on judgments for unpaid child support under a court or administrative order.

Interest on unpaid support
12% a year
License suspension
More than 6 months of child support payments behind, or not paying an agreed or ordered arrears plan by more than 6 months of payments.
Passport denial
Over $2,500 past due (federal law)

What the agency can do in Washington

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

  • Income withholding
  • Driver's, professional and recreational license suspension
  • Federal tax refund intercept
  • Liens and orders to withhold and deliver (bank accounts, property)
  • Passport denial
  • Contempt of court

Law: RCW 74.20A.320, RCW 26.18.050, ch. 26.18 RCW, ch. 74.20A RCW

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

Interest on arrears in Washington

12% a year on judgments for unpaid child support under a court or administrative order. DCS does not add interest to its own case records; it collects interest only on unpaid support that has been made a Washington judgment.

Law: RCW 4.56.110(2)

Source: OCSS Intergovernmental Reference Guide, Washington profile

Contempt of court in Washington

If a parent does not follow a support order, the other parent (or the state) can file a contempt action in superior court. The court can order the parent to appear and show cause, and can issue a bench warrant if they don't come.

Law: RCW 26.18.050

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 Washington

More than 6 months of child support payments behind, or not paying an agreed or ordered arrears plan by more than 6 months of payments.

Law: RCW 74.20A.020(18), 74.20A.320

In nearby states

Your next steps in Washington

  1. Keep a payment record

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

  2. Contact the agency

    If you don't have a case yet, open one with Division of Child Support (DCS), Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (1-800-442-KIDS (5437)) · Apply online

  3. Give the agency leads

    Leads about income or address speed up collection.

  4. Ask about interest

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

  5. Talk to legal aid

    Ask for free help: WashingtonLawHelp.org (legal aid network).

Where to get free help in Washington

Questions about unpaid support in Washington

How is unpaid child support collected in Washington?

Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it: Income withholding; Driver's, professional and recreational license suspension; Federal tax refund intercept; Liens and orders to withhold and deliver (bank accounts, property); Passport denial; Contempt of court.

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

More than 6 months of child support payments behind, or not paying an agreed or ordered arrears plan by more than 6 months of payments.

What can a court do about unpaid support in Washington?

If a parent does not follow a support order, the other parent (or the state) can file a contempt action in superior court. The court can order the parent to appear and show cause, and can issue a bench warrant if they don't come.

What is the interest rate on arrears in Washington?

12% a year on judgments for unpaid child support under a court or administrative order. DCS does not add interest to its own case records; it collects interest only on unpaid support that has been made a Washington judgment.

More for Washington

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources