By Child-Support.com Staff – Last updated
In order to enforce a child support order in California, a custodial parent seeking enforcement may file an application for services with their local office of the California Department of Child Support Services (DCSS). The Department of Child Support Services performs a number of functions including locating a parent, establishing paternity, establishing, modifying or enforcing a court order for child support, and establishing, modifying or enforcing an order for health insurance coverage for children.
How to File a Complaint
In California, you need to file an application with your Local Child Support Agency office in order to obtain child support services.
How to Fill-in
Step 1 – Download Application
Step 2 – Enter the following information in black ink about yourself:
- Name
- Check whether member of a tribe
- Maiden Name if any
- Name of current spouse, if any
- Relationship to children
- Address
- Phone
- Social Security Number
- Race
- Drivers License No.
- Birthdate
- Place of Birth
- Employer
- Employer Address
- Job Title
- Whether health insurance is available for the children
- Gross monthly income
- Whether child support has been order and by whom
- Marital information
- Whether you or the child is under an order of protection
- Information about services received
Step 3 – Enter the following information about the children for whom you are seeking services:
- Name
- Date of Birth
- Gender
- Social Security Number
- Place of Birth
- Whether child is living with parent
Step 4 – Enter the following information about the non custodial parent
- Name
- Whether member of a tribe
- Name of current spouse
- Relationship to children
- Address
- Phone
- Social Security Number
- Driver License Number
- Date of Birth
- Place of Birth
- Gender
- Whether in jail or on parole
- Physical description
- Name and address of present employer
- Name and address of past employer
- Occupation
- In military?
- In a union?
- Other sources of income
- Current spouse or other relative and address
- Names and addresses of parents of non custodial parent
- Services received by non custodial parent
- Whether the non custodial parent has been in the military
- Whether the non custodial parent owns a car and description
- Marital status
- Whether non custodial parent is represented by an attorney
Step 5 – Check the box showing which services you are looking for
Step 6 – Print and Sign and Send to your Local Child Support Agency office
What the DCSS Can Do
The California Department of Child Support Services can take a number of actions to enforce an existing child support order including the following:
- Interception of State or federal income tax refunds
- Unemployment benefits
- Workers’ compensation benefits
- State disability benefits
- Lottery winnings
- Withholding wages from paychecks
- Bank levies (attaching bank accounts)
- License suspensions
- Levies on property
- Passport denial
Contact the Department of Child Support Services
Mailing Address:
Department of Child Support Services
P.O. Box 419064
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9064
Website: https://childsupport.ca.gov/
Phone Number: 1-866-901-3212
Local California Child Support Agency Offices
