How to collect unpaid child support in Wyoming

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. By law, a court can order a driver's license withheld, suspended or restricted when you are behind on court-ordered support, unless you pay all arrears or enter an approved payment plan (W.S. 20-6-111).

License suspension
By law, a court can order a driver's license withheld, suspended or restricted when you are behind on court-ordered support, unless you pay all arrears or enter an approved payment plan (W.S. 20-6-111).
Passport denial
Over $2,500 past due (federal law)

What the agency can do in Wyoming

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

  • Income withholding (wages, unemployment, workers' compensation, disability, Social Security)
  • Federal tax refund intercept
  • Passport denial
  • Credit bureau reporting (generally over $1,000 owed)
  • Lien and levy on bank accounts
  • Driver's, professional and occupational license suspension
  • Wyoming Game & Fish license suspension
  • Attaching real or personal property
  • Civil contempt in district court
  • Federal prosecution

Law: W.S. 20-6-111, 20-6-112, 20-6-201 et seq.

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

License suspension in Wyoming

By law, a court can order a driver's license withheld, suspended or restricted when you are behind on court-ordered support, unless you pay all arrears or enter an approved payment plan (W.S. 20-6-111). The program's policy for administrative suspension is arrears of at least $2,500 and no full monthly payment in the last 90 days, for parents not receiving TANF.

Law: Policy Manual 9.7

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)

Court action in Wyoming

The program can bring civil contempt actions through the district court.

Source: Parents & Caregivers page

In nearby states

Steps to collect support in Wyoming

  1. Keep a payment record

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

  2. Contact the agency

    Ask for enforcement from Wyoming Child Support Program, Wyoming Department of Family Services (307-777-6948) · Apply online

  3. Give the agency leads

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

  4. Ask about interest

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

  5. Talk to legal aid

    Free help: Legal Aid of Wyoming.

Free help in Wyoming

Questions about unpaid support in Wyoming

What can the agency do about unpaid support in Wyoming?

Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it: Income withholding (wages, unemployment, workers' compensation, disability, Social Security); Federal tax refund intercept; Passport denial; Credit bureau reporting (generally over $1,000 owed); Lien and levy on bank accounts; Driver's, professional and occupational license suspension; Wyoming Game & Fish license suspension; Attaching real or personal property; Civil contempt in district court; Federal prosecution.

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

By law, a court can order a driver's license withheld, suspended or restricted when you are behind on court-ordered support, unless you pay all arrears or enter an approved payment plan (W.S. 20-6-111). The program's policy for administrative suspension is arrears of at least $2,500 and no full monthly payment in the last 90 days, for parents not receiving TANF.

Can a parent go to jail for unpaid support in Wyoming?

The program can bring civil contempt actions through the district court.

Keep reading about Wyoming

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources