By Child-Support.com Staff – Last updated
In order to enforce child support payments in New York, a Guardian who is not receiving payments they are due may contact the Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) in order to initiate an action to enforce the child support order. Using the information provided by the parent not receiving payments, DCSE has the resources and authority to use certain tools to obtain the amount owed from the non-paying parent.
How to File a Complaint
In New York, a parent is required to pay the child support amount that is presented in a court order from any state until modified or terminated. If those child support payments are not made on time, the payments are in arrears and the DCSE can move to enforce the order to make sure that it is paid and that the child support order is complied with. Orders can be enforced across state lines in accordance of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act.
In order to initiate an action to enforce a child support order, the custodial parent must fill out an application to request DCSE services. In New York, you can fill out an application and submit it to your local child support office.
How to Fill-in
Step 1: Download the application and read the instructions
Step 2: Read through the information provided and beginning on page 8 fill in the following information:
- What is your primary language?
- Do you have reason to believe that by seeking an order for paternity or child support your safety or the safety of the child will be put at risk, or believe you have good cause not to cooperate with the CSEU?
- Indicate your relationship to the child of the matter
- Check whether you have ever received child support services
- Are you or were you ever in receipt of federal Title IV-A assistance, currently the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and formerly the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program, in New York State or any other state?
- Enter the date you were last on assistance.
- Where did you receive assistance?
- Are you or were you ever in receipt of New York State’s Safety Net Assistance (formerly the Home Relief Program)?
- Enter the date you were last on assistance.
- Where did you receive assistance?
Step 3: Enter the following information about the custodial parent or guardian:
- Name
- Social Security Number
- Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
- Date of Birth
- Gender
- Race/Ethnic Affiliation
- Primary language?
- Mail Received in Care of (If other than CP or Guardian)
- Mailing Address
- Residential Address (Current if different from Mailing)
- Phone Numbers
- Contact Preference
- Best Time to Call
- Email Addresses
- Emergency Contact
Step 4: Enter the following information about the marital status of custodial parent
- Was the CP ever married to the non custodial parent/putative father (NCP/PF)?
- Date of Marriage
- Place of Marriage
- Is the CP now separated from the NCP/PF?
- Date of Separation
- Is the CP legally separated from the NCP/PF?
- Date of Legal Separation
- Is a divorce from the NCP pending?
- Name of the Court
- Is the CP legally divorced from the NCP/PF?
- Date of Divorce
- Court Location
- Has the CP ever been married to someone other than the parent of the child named in this application?
- If “Yes,” provide the date(s) of marriage and name(s) of spouse
- CP’s Maiden Name
Step 5: Enter the following employment information about the custodial parent:
- Employer Name
- Employer Address
- Does the CP’s employer/organization offer or provide health insurance benefits?
- Is the CP enrolled?
- Is the CP or guardian enrolled in public health care coverage for a child named in this Application/Referral form?
- CP or guardian’s CHPlus monthly contribution:
Step 6: Enter the following information about the Noncustodial Parent (NCP)/Putative Father (PF):
- NCP/PF Name
- Alias or Other Known Name
- Maiden Name
- SSN
- ITIN
- Date of Birth
- Gender
- Race/Ethnic Affiliation
- Primary Language
- What is the NCP/PF’s primary language?
- Height
- Weight
- Eye Color
- Hair Color
- Describe other distinguishing characteristics
- NCP/PF Father’s Full Name
- NCP/PF Mother’s Full Maiden Name
- NCP/PF’s Place of Birth
- Date of Last Contact
- Relationship of NCP/PF to Applicant
- Mail Received in Care of (If other than NCP/PF)
- Mailing Address (Current or last known as of
____ / ____ / ____) - Residential Address (Current if different from Mailing)
- Phone Numbers
- Contact Preference
- Best Time to Call
- Email Addresses
- Emergency Contact
- Is the NCP/PF incarcerated?
- Name of Facility
- Inmate Number
- Facility Address
- Was/is the NCP/PF married to someone other than the CP or Other NCP for a FC case?
- Name of Spouse
- Address of Spouse
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Place of Marriage
- Is the NCP/PF now separated?
- Date of Separation
- Is the NCP/PF legally separated?
- Date of Legal Separation
- Is a divorce pending?
- Is the NCP/PF now divorced?
- Date of Divorce
- Court Location
Step 7: Enter the following information about the NCP/PF Employment
- Is the NCP/PF employed?
- Date Last Employed
- Is the NCP/PF a member of a labor union/organization?
- Name of Employer
- Name of Labor Union/Organization
- Job Title/Occupation
- Does the NCP or PF’s employer/organization offer or provide health insurance benefits?
- Is the NCP or PF enrolled?
Step 8: Enter the following information about each child
- Name of Child
- SSN
- ITIN
- Date of Birth
- Gender
- Names of Biological Parents
- Relationship of the NCP/PF to the Child
- Was the mother married to the father or stepfather of the child at the time of the child’s birth?
- How was paternity established?
- In what county, state, and country was paternity established
- Where was the child conceived?
- Did the PF provide prenatal expenses or support for the child?
- Did the PF reside with the child in New York State?
- Does the child reside in New York State as the result of acts or directives of the PF?
- Is there an order of support for this child?
If “Yes,” what is the date of the order? - Is health insurance ordered?
- Obligation Amount
- Court that Issued the Order
- Court Docket or Index Number
- Does the child have health care coverage?
- If “Yes,” identify the type of coverage:
- Who provides the child’s private health care coverage?
- Name of Health Insurance Carrier
- Policy Number
- Group Number
- Address
- Indicate the type of public health care coverage if any:
- Parent’s CHPlus monthly contribution
Step 9: Check off the documentation you are providing with the application and sign and date.
Step 10: Bring to your local child support enforcement unit.
What DCSE Can Do
DCSE has the ability to take several different actions in order to assist a parent seeking child support enforcement. DCE can help establish paternity or locate a missing parent. In addition, DCSE has the authority to intercept tax refund, impose liens on property, or garnish wages.
Contact DCSE
You can find your local DCSE office or child support enforcement units on the office locator page of the New York Child Support site.
