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Child Support in Utah

Child Support in Utah

Last Updated on August 13, 2025 by Rachel

Utah Child Support Guide for Single Mothers: Your Complete 2025 Handbook

Last updated: August 2025


If You Need Help Today

Emergency Situations:

  • Domestic violence: Call Utah Domestic Violence Coalition at 1-800-897-5465
  • Immediate legal help: Utah Legal Services at 1-800-662-4245
  • Crisis assistance: 211 Utah (dial 2-1-1)
  • Emergency food: Utah Food Bank at 801-887-1000

Quick Action Steps:

  1. Apply for child support today: Call Utah ORS at 801-536-8500
  2. Calculate your potential support: Use the Utah Child Support Calculator
  3. Get free legal help: Contact Utah Legal Services
  4. Emergency financial assistance: Apply for Utah Department of Workforce Services

Main Points

✅ Utah uses Income Shares Model (current guidelines effective January 1, 2023) – both parents’ incomes determine support amounts¹

✅ No application fee for ORS services – services are generally free for custodial parents²

✅ Payment processing fee: 6% of each payment (maximum $12 per month) unless you’ve received cash assistance³

✅ Two payment options: Utah Debit MasterCard (default) or direct deposit⁴

✅ Support continues until age 18 – or 19 if still in high school⁵

✅ Strong enforcement tools available – wage garnishment, license suspension, tax intercept⁶

Understanding Utah Child Support in 2025

Current Guidelines and 2025 Review

Utah’s current child support guidelines became effective January 1, 2023. A Child Support Advisory Committee reviews the guidelines every four years, with the next quadrennial review scheduled for 2025. While the 2025 update has not yet been finalized, past guideline changes suggest adjustments may be made to income calculations, cost-sharing responsibilities, and custody overnight credits.

Utah uses the Income Shares Model, which considers both parents’ gross monthly income to determine the total support obligation. The basic principle is that both parents have a legal duty to support their minor children, and child support is calculated using both parents’ gross monthly income and the number of overnights the child spends in each household.

Who Can Apply for Utah Child Support in 2025

You can apply for child support services if you are:

  • A parent with physical custody of a child under 18 (or under 19 if still in high school)
  • A legal guardian or caretaker with custody
  • Someone owed back support for a child now over 18 (within certain time limits)
  • A relative caring for the child

Reality Check: You don’t have to be a Utah resident to apply for services through Utah ORS, but the child or the other parent typically needs to have Utah connections.

How Much Utah Child Support Can You Actually Get?

Utah Income Shares Model Explained

Utah calculates child support using both parents’ gross monthly income and the number of overnights the child spends in each household. The guidelines use tables found in Utah Code Title 81, Chapter 6, Part 3 to determine the base combined support obligation.

Key Factors That Determine Your Support Amount

Factor How It’s Used Example Impact
Combined gross income Both parents’ incomes added together $3,000 + $2,000 = $5,000 total
Number of children More children = higher total support 1 child vs. 2 children significantly different
Custody arrangement 111+ overnights affects calculation Joint custody can reduce support obligation
Additional expenses Childcare, health insurance, medical costs Shared equally between parents

Understanding Income in Utah Child Support

Gross monthly income includes income from any source: salaries, wages, commissions, royalties, bonuses, rents, gifts, prizes, dividends, severance pay, pensions, interest, trust income, alimony from previous marriages, annuities, capital gains, social security benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, unemployment compensation, and income replacement disability insurance benefits.

What doesn’t count: General assistance, housing subsidies, and welfare benefits don’t count as income for child support calculations.

Real-World Example: How Your Income Affects What You Receive

Example: Pat makes $2,000 per month, Jordan makes $3,000 per month. Their combined gross monthly income is $5,000. Pat’s income makes up 40% ($2,000/$5,000) of the total, and Jordan’s income makes up 60% ($3,000/$5,000). With two children, looking up their combined income of $5,000 on the child support obligation table, their base combined child support obligation is $1,175. Pat is responsible for 40% ($470) and Jordan is responsible for 60% ($705).

Since Pat has custody, Jordan would pay $705 per month to Pat, while Pat provides his $470 share through direct care.

Custody Arrangements That Affect Support

Utah recognizes three custody arrangements:

  • Sole physical custody: Child spends over 255 nights per year with one parent
  • Joint physical custody: Child spends at least 111 nights per year with each parent
  • Split custody: Multiple children with some living primarily with each parent

Reality Check: If the parent with less time has at least 111 overnights in a year, the exact number of overnights affects the calculation and can significantly reduce support payments.

Use the Official Utah Child Support Calculator

You can calculate your possible child support payment amount two ways: online using the Utah Child Support Calculator, or on paper using worksheets. Both methods only produce an estimate – ORS or the court decides the final amount.

Access the calculator: https://orscsc.dhs.utah.gov/orscscapp/orscscweb/

What You’ll Need:

  • Both parents’ gross monthly income (before taxes)
  • Number of children needing support
  • Monthly childcare costs
  • Monthly health insurance costs for the children
  • Number of overnights child spends with each parent

How to Apply for Utah Child Support Step-by-Step

Step 1: Gather Required Documents

Before applying, collect these documents: each child’s birth certificate (if not born in Utah), any documents that establish paternity, existing child support orders if you already have one, and copies of any changes to existing orders.

Additional helpful information about the other parent:

  • Full legal name and any aliases
  • Date of birth and Social Security number
  • Current and previous addresses
  • Employer name and address
  • Phone numbers and email addresses

Expert Tip: Do not send original documents – only send copies.

Step 2: Submit Your Application

You can apply for child support in Utah three ways:

Option 1: Online Application

Option 2: Paper Application

  • Download the English or Spanish form from the ORS website
  • Complete all sections
  • Mail with required documents to your local ORS office

Option 3: Get Help

  • Call ORS at 801-536-8500 to have an application mailed to you
  • Visit a local ORS office for assistance

Important: You need to complete a separate application for each family group (pairing of parents and children).

Step 3: What Happens After You Apply

The Child Support Services program establishes and collects child support. If you receive cash assistance or Medicaid, you will automatically be referred to ORS for child support services. You will still need to complete an Application for Services to provide ORS with necessary information for your case.

Timeline expectations:

  • Simple cases: 60-90 days if the other parent cooperates
  • Complex cases: 6-12 months if location or paternity establishment needed
  • Interstate cases: 3-6 months depending on other state cooperation

What ORS will do:

  1. Locate the other parent if necessary
  2. Establish paternity if needed
  3. Establish a support order
  4. Begin collection and enforcement

Understanding Utah Child Support Fees and Costs in 2025

Complete Fee Breakdown

Utah ORS charges a payment processing fee of 6% of each payment applied to an ORS case, not to exceed $12.00 per month. This fee does not apply if the custodial parent or guardian has ever received Cash Assistance.

Fee Type Amount When Charged Who Pays Can Be Waived?
Application Fee $0 N/A N/A N/A
Payment Processing Fee 6% (max $12/month) When payments received Deducted from support Yes (cash assistance recipients)
Federal Tax Intercept Fee Up to $25 When federal payment intercepted Original applicant Yes (assistance recipients)
State Tax Intercept Fee $15 When state tax refund intercepted Non-custodial parent No

Payment Processing Fee Examples

Example 1: You receive $300 in child support

  • Processing fee: 6% of $300 = $18, but capped at $12
  • Amount you receive: $300 – $12 = $288

Example 2: You receive $150 in child support

  • Processing fee: 6% of $150 = $9
  • Amount you receive: $150 – $9 = $141

Who Doesn’t Pay Processing Fees

The payment processing fee is not charged if the custodial parent has ever received Cash Assistance. This includes recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) or FEP (Family Employment Program).

How You’ll Receive Your Utah Child Support Payments

Utah ORS sends child support payments to custodial parents electronically. You have two ways to receive those payments: on a Utah Debit MasterCard (the default option) or by direct deposit to your bank account.

Option 1: Utah Debit MasterCard® (Default)

This is the default way of receiving payments. The Utah Debit MasterCard is a prepaid debit card that doesn’t require a bank account or credit check.

How it works:

  • Card is mailed to you automatically when you’re approved for support
  • Payments are loaded directly onto the card
  • Can be used anywhere MasterCard is accepted
  • Access cash at ATMs

Getting started:

  • No enrollment required – it’s automatic
  • Allow time for card delivery and activation

Option 2: Direct Deposit

By direct deposit to your bank account. You have to tell us if you want direct deposit. We charge no fees for direct deposit.

Requirements:

  • Active checking or savings account at any U.S. bank or credit union
  • Complete enrollment form

Setup process:

  • Download the Electronic Payment Enrollment Form from the ORS website
  • Submit completed form to ORS
  • Allow processing time for setup

Important: Custodial parents cannot get direct child support payments in the same month as Cash Assistance or Medical Assistance.

When Utah Child Support Payments Don’t Come: Enforcement Tools

What Utah ORS Can Do to Collect Support

Any work to collect child support is considered enforcement. Even up-to-date payments use enforcement tools. Income withholding and automatic payment withdrawal are two easy, commonly used examples of enforcement tools.

Enforcement Method How It Works Requirements Effectiveness
Income Withholding Money deducted directly from paychecks and sent to ORS Employment known Most effective
Tax Intercept State and federal income tax refunds garnished Past due support Seasonal effectiveness
License Suspension Driver’s, professional, and recreational licenses suspended Past due support High compliance rate
Credit Bureau Reporting Reports to credit bureaus Past due support Long-term impact
Asset Seizure Bank accounts, worker’s compensation settlements seized Significant arrears Very effective
Property Liens Liens on real or personal property $500+ owed Prevents sales
Contempt of Court Filing for contempt, which can result in jail sentence Administrative remedies exhausted Last resort

Wage Garnishment Rules in Utah

The maximum amount that may be garnished from an individual’s paycheck for child support is 50% of disposable earnings for the work pay period. Income withholding can be activated even if the divorce decree does not include an order for withholding.

What You Can Do to Help Enforcement

  1. Keep detailed records of missed or partial payments with dates and amounts
  2. Report changes immediately when you learn about the other parent’s employment, address, or assets
  3. Use ORS Now to check payment status and case updates online
  4. Stay in contact with your caseworker regularly
  5. Document lifestyle inconsistencies if they claim inability to pay but show wealth on social media

When Enforcement Isn’t Working

If standard enforcement isn’t effective, Utah ORS may pursue:

  • Federal criminal prosecution for willful non-payment across state lines
  • Passport denial through the State Department for significant arrears
  • Professional license suspension (medical, legal, real estate, etc.)

Special Situations and Inclusive Support

LGBTQ+ Single Mothers in Utah

Utah child support laws apply equally regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Key considerations:

Same-sex couples who were married: If both parents are listed on the birth certificate or adoption papers, both may have support obligations under Utah law.

Assisted reproduction cases: Legal parentage must be established before support can be ordered. This may require:

  • Voluntary acknowledgment of parentage
  • Court determination of parental rights
  • Review of sperm/egg donor agreements

Discrimination concerns: If you face discrimination in the child support process, contact:

  • Utah Pride Center: (801) 539-8800
  • ACLU of Utah: (801) 521-9862

Native American and Tribal Connections

Utah has limited tribal presence, but some families have connections to tribes in neighboring states:

Interstate tribal cases: If the other parent lives on tribal land in another state, ORS works with:

  • Office of Tribal Services within the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement
  • Tribal child support agencies with cooperative agreements
  • Tribal courts that may have jurisdiction

Utah tribal resources:

  • Northwestern Band of Shoshone: (435) 245-6746
  • Contact Utah ORS at 801-536-8500 for tribal case coordination

Rural Families with Limited Access

Transportation challenges to ORS offices:

  • Phone consultations available: Call your local office to arrange
  • Limited video services: Some offices offer virtual meetings
  • Documents by mail/fax: Most paperwork can be submitted remotely

Internet access limitations:

  • Public libraries: Free internet and computer access for online services
  • ORS phone support: 801-536-8500 for assistance with online applications
  • Local DWS offices: Can help with applications and provide internet access

ORS offices in Utah:

  • Taylorsville (Main): 195 North 1950 West
  • Ogden: 2310 N Forest Road
  • Provo: 1071 E 100 N
  • St. George: 1385 E 100 S

Single Fathers Seeking Child Support

Single fathers have identical rights under Utah child support law. The application process, fees, and enforcement methods are exactly the same regardless of gender.

Same services available:

  • Application assistance
  • Parent location services
  • Paternity establishment
  • Support order creation
  • Payment processing
  • Enforcement actions

Contact: Same ORS number 801-536-8500 for all services

Utah Organizations and Programs That Provide Support

Utah Office of Recovery Services (ORS)

What they do: Utah ORS is a division within the Utah Department of Health and Human Services that provides comprehensive child support services. Their primary mission is to promote responsibility by helping ensure that parents are financially responsible for their children through child support services and support for children in care.

Services provided: Establishing child support orders, setting medical support orders and monitoring them for insurance coverage, locating parents to collect support, establishing paternity, and changing or modifying orders.

How to contact: Main office at (801) 536-8500, with offices in Taylorsville, Ogden, Provo, and St. George.

Online services: ORS Now is an online portal that lets you access details of your child support case 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at https://ors.utah.gov/child-support/ors-now/.

Utah Legal Services

What they do: Utah Legal Services provides free civil legal services to low-income Utah residents, including family law representation for child support, custody, domestic relations, and protective order cases.

Services provided: Legal representation in family court, advice and consultation for child support issues, assistance with modification requests, help with enforcement problems, and domestic violence legal advocacy.

Who qualifies: Households meeting income guidelines, with priority given to domestic violence survivors and cases involving children.

How to apply: Call 1-800-662-4245 for intake screening or visit https://www.utahlegalservices.org/.

Utah Department of Workforce Services (DWS)

What they do: Utah DWS provides financial assistance programs to increase family and individual income by focusing on employment, and where appropriate, child support and disability payments. Financial assistance combined with supportive services and personalized case management helps families achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Services provided: SNAP food assistance, Family Employment Program (FEP) cash assistance up to $662 monthly for qualifying families, child care assistance for families earning up to 85% of state median income (about $6,637 monthly for family of three), and Medicaid health coverage.

How to apply: Online at https://jobs.utah.gov/ or visit local employment centers statewide.

Utah Domestic Violence Coalition

What they do: Provides comprehensive domestic violence services including emergency shelter, legal advocacy, counseling, and support groups for survivors and their children.

Services provided: 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, legal advocacy for protective orders, child support assistance for survivors, counseling services, and safety planning.

How to contact: Crisis hotline 1-800-897-5465 or visit https://udvc.org/.

Additional Utah Resources

Utah Food Bank: First line of defense against hunger for Utah residents, serving low-income families, elderly, and people with disabilities. Contact 801-887-1000 or https://www.utahfoodbank.org/.

Utah Housing Assistance: Utah offers FirstHome and HomeAgain mortgage programs for first-time homebuyers with credit scores of at least 660, plus down payment assistance programs.

Utah Energy Assistance: HEAT program gives families money toward water and energy bills, with regular assistance and crisis assistance for emergency financial hardship.

Common Questions Single Moms Ask About Utah Child Support

About Applying and Eligibility

Q: Do I have to live in Utah to get child support through Utah ORS? A: No, you don’t have to be a Utah resident, but either the child, you, or the other parent typically needs Utah connections. ORS can work with other states for interstate cases.

Q: What if I don’t know where my child’s father is? A: ORS has extensive tools to locate parents including employment databases, tax records, and other state resources. Provide any information you have, even if it’s old – previous addresses, employers, relatives’ names, or social media profiles.

Q: Can I apply if I was never married to the father? A: Absolutely. Marriage is not required for child support obligations. ORS can help establish paternity through voluntary acknowledgment or genetic testing if needed.

Q: What if the father claims he can’t afford to pay? A: Utah courts can “impute income” based on earning capacity. If someone is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, support can be based on what they could earn with their education, training, and experience. Imputed income is usually based on working a 40-hour work week.

About Calculations and Amounts

Q: How does my income affect what the other parent pays? A: Utah uses the Income Shares Model where both incomes are combined to determine total support needed, then each parent pays their percentage. If you earn less, the other parent pays a higher percentage of the total obligation.

Q: What counts as “income” for Utah child support calculations? A: Income includes salaries, wages, commissions, royalties, bonuses, rents, gifts, prizes, dividends, severance pay, pensions, interest, trust income, alimony from previous marriages, annuities, capital gains, social security benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, and unemployment compensation.

Q: Can I get support for past months before I applied? A: Retroactive support may be available depending on your situation. The court has discretion to order support back to when you first filed for support or when circumstances changed.

Q: Is there a maximum amount of child support in Utah? A: The guidelines table goes up to significant income levels, and courts may increase support if combined income is more than $100,000. There’s no specific cap, but amounts are based on the child’s needs and parents’ income.

About Payments and Problems

Q: What if my child now spends more time with the other parent? A: If either parent has the child for at least 111 nights per year, this may qualify as joint physical custody and can affect the support calculation. You’ll need to petition for modification.

Q: How do I switch from the debit card to direct deposit? A: Complete an Electronic Payment Enrollment Form and submit it to ORS. Allow 5-7 business days for the change to take effect.

Q: What should I do if I receive a payment that seems wrong? A: Contact ORS immediately at 801-536-8500. Keep detailed records of all payments and discrepancies.

Q: How long does it take to receive my first payment? A: Timeline varies:

  • Cooperative cases with wage withholding: 4-8 weeks after order
  • Cases requiring parent location: 3-6 months
  • Contested paternity cases: 6-12 months
  • Interstate cases: 3-9 months

About Enforcement and Legal Issues

Q: What if the other parent quits their job to avoid paying? A: ORS has multiple enforcement tools beyond wage withholding including tax refund interception, license suspension, credit bureau reporting, asset seizure, and property liens. Job changes must be reported to Utah’s New Hire system.

Q: Can ORS help with custody or visitation issues? A: No. ORS does not provide legal representation and cannot give legal advice. Custody and visitation are not decided or enforced by ORS. Contact Utah Legal Services or a private attorney for custody matters.

Q: What happens if the other parent moves to another state? A: ORS can work with child support agencies in all 50 states. Your Utah order remains enforceable, and the other state will assist with enforcement under interstate agreements.

Q: Does child support automatically stop if the other parent goes to jail? A: No. Incarceration doesn’t automatically terminate support obligations. The obligation continues to accrue, though the incarcerated parent may petition for a temporary modification.

About Modifications and Changes

Q: How do I modify my child support order if circumstances change? A: You can ask for a change if it’s been three or more years since the order was entered and the calculation is now 10% different, or if it’s been less than three years and the calculation is 15% different due to material changes in circumstances.

Q: What if I disagree with the support amount ordered? A: You have the right to appeal within the time limits set by the court. Contact Utah Legal Services at 1-800-662-4245 for assistance with appeals.

Q: Can child support be reduced if the other parent can’t pay? A: Only the court can modify future payments, and only with proper legal grounds. Past-due support generally cannot be waived, even by agreement between parents.

Complete Utah Child Support Resources and Contact Information

Utah ORS Main Contacts

Statewide Services:

Regional Offices:

  • Taylorsville (Main): 195 North 1950 West, Taylorsville, UT 84116
  • Ogden: 2310 N Forest Road, Ogden, UT 84404
  • Provo: 1071 E 100 N, Provo, UT 84606
  • St. George: 1385 E 100 S, St. George, UT 84790

Legal Help and Advocacy

Free Legal Services:

Domestic Violence Support:

Financial Assistance Programs

State Benefits:

Utility and Housing Assistance:

Emergency Help and Crisis Support

Immediate Safety:

Child Services:

Online Tools and Calculators

Official Utah Resources:

Benefits Screening:

Accessibility Services

Language Support:

  • Spanish-speaking ORS Staff: Available at most offices by request
  • Interpretation Services: Available for other languages by request

Disability Accommodations:

About This Guide

Compiled by the ASingleMother.org Editorial Team

The ASingleMother.org team has been researching and writing comprehensive benefits guides for single mothers across all 50 states since 2020. Our editorial team regularly updates these guides by reviewing official government sources, contacting state agencies, and incorporating feedback from hundreds of single mothers who have used these programs.

This Utah guide represents over 5 years of experience helping single mothers navigate the child support system. We verify information with official sources including Utah Office of Recovery Services, Utah Courts, Utah Legal Services, USDA, and HHS to ensure accuracy.

Information compiled from official Utah Office of Recovery Services, Utah Courts, Utah Department of Workforce Services, Utah Legal Services, and federal sources. Last verified: August 2025.

The ASingleMother.org editorial team welcomes feedback on this guide. If you find outdated information or discover new resources, please contact us at info@asinglemother.org so we can help other single mothers with accurate, current information.

Disclaimer

This guide provides general information about Utah child support law and procedures as of August 2025. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and program details can change, and individual situations vary significantly.

Always:

  • Verify current information with the Utah Office of Recovery Services at 801-536-8500
  • Consult with an attorney for legal advice specific to your unique situation
  • Keep detailed records of all communications, payments, and missed payments
  • Report changes in your circumstances to ORS promptly
  • Review your case regularly through ORS Now or by contacting your caseworker

The information in this guide:

  • Is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional legal advice
  • May not apply to every individual situation or case
  • Is subject to change without notice as laws and regulations are updated
  • Should be verified with official sources before making legal or financial decisions

Limitation of liability: While we strive for accuracy, this guide cannot cover every possible scenario or exception to Utah child support law. For the most current information and case-specific guidance, always contact Utah ORS directly or consult with a qualified family law attorney.

For the most current information, contact Utah ORS at 801-536-8500 or visit https://ors.utah.gov/.

Footnotes and Sources

¹ Utah Code Title 81, Chapter 6; Current guidelines effective January 1, 2023
² Utah Office of Recovery Services Fee Schedule (January 2022)
³ Utah ORS Payment Processing Fee Structure
⁴ Utah Child Support Payment Methods – ORS Website
⁵ Utah Code § 81-6-104(1) – Child support duration
⁶ Utah Code § 62A-11-107(5) – ORS enforcement authority

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