Last updated: May 20, 2026
Before you use this guide
This guide gives general information about Delaware child support. It is not legal advice. Child support, custody, parentage, domestic violence, and court papers can affect your rights. For advice about your own case, contact Delaware Family Court, Delaware Division of Child Support Services, or a legal aid office.
Bottom line
In Delaware, both parents usually have a duty to support their child. The state child support agency is the Delaware Division of Child Support Services, often called DCSS. DCSS can help with locating the other parent, establishing parentage, starting a support order, changing an order, collecting payments, and enforcing unpaid support.
You can start with the Delaware DCSS website or the online customer website. If your case is already in Family Court, the Family Court overview explains the court process, mediation, support calculation, arrears, and modification.
Do not rely on a private calculator, a verbal promise, or an informal payment plan as your only protection. Use the official court or DCSS process when you need a support order, payment record, enforcement, or a change to an old order.
If you need help today
Child support can take time. If you need food, rent help, safety help, medical care, or child care now, use other help while your support case moves forward.
- If you are in danger, call 911. Delaware’s official hotline list has 24-hour domestic violence and rape crisis numbers by county.
- If you need food, housing, utility help, diapers, transportation, or other local help, contact Delaware 211. You can call 211 or search online.
- If child support is tied to abuse, threats, stalking, or control, read our safety resources before contacting the other parent.
- If you need broader benefit help, start with our Delaware help guide and then choose the program that matches your need.
Where to start
Your first step depends on what you already have. A written court order is different from a private agreement. A parentage question is different from a late-payment problem.
You do not have an order
Start with DCSS or Family Court. DCSS can help open a case. Family Court has the court forms if you are filing on your own.
You have an order
Use DCSS or the court if payments are not coming, the other parent changed jobs, or you need enforcement.
The amount is wrong now
Do not just agree by text. Ask about modification. Only a new order can safely change what is owed.
You are worried about safety
Call a hotline or legal aid before sharing your address, schedule, workplace, or school details.
Delaware child support quick reference
| Need | Best starting point | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Open a child support case | Use DCSS online through the customer website or ask DCSS for help. | You may need a myDelaware account and documents about both parents. |
| File court papers yourself | Use the Family Court support forms. | Required forms must be complete, or the filing may not be accepted. |
| Estimate support | Use the official support calculator. | The final order depends on the court, documents, and case facts. |
| Change an old order | Read the DCSS modification page. | Some requests need a major change in circumstances or enough time since the last order. |
| Collect unpaid support | Read DCSS enforcement page. | Enforcement can take time, especially if the other parent changes jobs or moves. |
What Delaware DCSS can do
DCSS is the state child support agency. The DCSS services page says the agency helps find noncustodial parents, establish parentage, collect payments, modify support orders, account for payments, and connect some parents to employment and economic assistance.
DCSS is useful when you need a record of payments, help finding the other parent, income withholding, enforcement, or help moving a case through the system. It is also useful when you receive public assistance and the state requires cooperation with child support, unless there is a good-cause or safety issue.
DCSS is not your private attorney. It does not replace legal advice, and it cannot fix every custody or safety issue. If you need legal advice about custody, abuse, parentage, interstate orders, or a hearing, use the legal resources below.
How to apply for child support in Delaware
You can apply through DCSS or file in Family Court. Many parents start with DCSS because the agency can help with services beyond a basic court filing.
- Choose your path. Use DCSS if you want agency help with locating, parentage, collection, payments, and enforcement. Use Family Court forms if you are filing on your own or were told to file a specific petition.
- Create or use your online account. Delaware says the DCSS customer website can be used to apply online, send case questions, update contact and employment details, view appointments, and print payment history.
- Gather documents. You will usually need identity, income, child care, health insurance, court orders, and information about the other parent.
- Watch for mail and notices. Missing a mediation, hearing, document deadline, or address-change requirement can hurt your case.
- Keep copies. Save copies of applications, court forms, wage records, child care bills, medical insurance costs, and messages from DCSS or Family Court.
Tip
If you are already getting TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, child care help, or other help, ask the benefit office how child support cooperation rules apply to you. If contacting the other parent could put you or your child in danger, ask about a safety or good-cause process before you act.
What to gather before you call or apply
You do not need perfect information to ask for help. Give what you have and say what is missing. Old addresses, old employers, relatives’ names, license plate information, court case numbers, or older pay details may still help.
| Item | Why it matters | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Child information | Shows who the case is for | Birth certificate, Social Security number if available, school information |
| Your information | Shows identity, address, and income | Photo ID, pay stubs, W-2, tax return, benefit notices |
| Other parent information | Helps DCSS locate and serve them | Full name, date of birth, address, employer, phone, email |
| Expenses for the child | May affect the support calculation | Child care bills, health insurance premiums, medical costs, tuition if relevant |
| Court or agency papers | Prevents duplicate or conflicting action | Custody orders, support orders, parentage papers, protection orders |
How Delaware calculates child support
Delaware uses the Delaware Child Support Formula, often called the Melson Formula. Family Court says the formula considers both parents’ income and the child’s needs. The court also says most first-time support cases go to mediation first, where a mediator uses the formula and tries to help the parents reach an agreement.
The court’s 2026 support instructions say the revised formula took effect February 1, 2026, and applies to prospective and retroactive calculations. The instructions also say the formula is a rebuttable presumption, which means the court starts with the formula but may depart from it if the legal standard is met. Use the official formula instructions if you need the detailed calculation rules.
The formula can consider income, reasonable earning capacity, child care, health insurance, medical support, other children a parent supports, and parenting time. The 2026 instructions say a Child Support Financial Disclosure Report, also called Form 16A, must be submitted with supporting documents at mediation and before a hearing.
Common calculation trap
Do not use a private online calculator as proof of what the judge will order. Private calculators may be wrong, old, or missing facts. Use the official court calculator, bring documents, and ask legal aid if the number seems unfair or unsafe.
If parentage is not legally set
Child support usually needs legal parentage first. DCSS explains on its paternity page that parentage gives a child legal proof of parents, possible access to family medical history, insurance, support, inheritance, military allowances, Social Security, or veteran benefits.
If the parents were not married or in a civil union when the child was born, parentage may need to be established. Some parents can use a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity. Others may need genetic testing or court action. If the mother was married around the time of birth, or another person is legally presumed to be a parent, do not guess. Ask DCSS, Family Court, or legal aid before signing papers.
How payments are handled
Delaware’s DCSS accounting page says payment methods can include check, money order, income withholding, iPayOnline, and TouchPay kiosks. The same page says payments received by DCSS are recorded and then disbursed to the custodial parent.
If you receive support, you can ask about direct deposit or a prepaid card. Delaware’s direct deposit page explains how to mail the enrollment form with bank information. The ReliaCard page says the card is credited when a payment is posted to a child support case and that recipients must choose either ReliaCard or direct deposit.
If you make payments, use official payment methods. Do not pay in cash without a receipt. Do not rely on a text message saying “we are even.” A payment that is not recorded correctly can become a serious problem later.
What to do when payments are late or missing
First, check whether the payment was received, posted, and disbursed. Electronic payments may take several business days. Delaware’s payment page explains payment processing and distribution, including how payments are credited.
If support is truly unpaid, contact DCSS and keep records. DCSS enforcement tools can include income withholding, consumer reporting, court processing, license suspension, lottery intercept, passport denial, tax intercept, and unemployment compensation withholding.
| Problem | What to do | What to keep |
|---|---|---|
| No payment this month | Check the portal or call DCSS customer service. | Payment history, order number, date due |
| Other parent changed jobs | Give DCSS the employer name, address, and any proof. | Employer details, screenshots, pay clues |
| Payments are short | Ask DCSS how the payment was applied. | Disbursement records and notices |
| Cash was paid outside DCSS | Ask how to document it. Do not hide payments from the court. | Receipts, bank records, messages |
Changing an old child support order
Either parent may ask to change a child support order when the legal standard is met. DCSS says Family Court will accept a modification petition if it has been two and a half years or more since the last order. If less than two and a half years have passed, there must be a substantial change in circumstances.
Reasons may include a major income change, health insurance change, daycare change, private school tuition issue, a change in the number of minor children a parent must support, or a change in parenting time. The official 2026 formula instructions say a modification request filed within two and a half years must show the substantial change with detail and generally must show a change of more than 10 percent.
Do not lower payments on your own
If you are ordered to pay support and lose your job, get sick, go to jail, or have fewer hours, do not simply stop paying. Ask DCSS or Family Court about modification. Until the order changes, the unpaid amount may keep building.
Legal help and safety issues
Court staff can explain forms and process, but Delaware Courts says staff cannot give legal advice. The court’s legal help page lists free legal services and other options. You can also use Legal Help Link for child support information and referrals.
For Delaware residents who may qualify, CLASI helps with civil legal issues such as family, domestic violence, housing, public benefits, disability, elder, and immigration matters, depending on eligibility and program capacity. DVLS intake may help in certain civil matters, including family law for victims of domestic violence.
If the other parent has threatened you, used money to control you, stalked you, hidden documents, or used court filings to harass you, talk with a hotline or legal aid before you file, serve papers, or share location details. Child support is important, but safety comes first.
Backup help while child support is pending
Child support may help over time, but it is not an emergency cash program. If you need help now, use several paths at once.
- For rent, shelter, or eviction pressure, start with our housing help and contact local agencies early.
- For cash assistance, work rules, or benefit questions, read our TANF help before you apply.
- For child care costs while you work, train, or attend school, use our child care help to find the starting office.
- For pregnancy, babies, and young children, check WIC help and call the clinic listed there.
- For Medicaid, clinics, and coverage paths, use our health care help as a next step.
- For shutoff notices and energy bills, read our utility help before a shutoff date passes.
- For unemployment or a sudden cut in hours, use our job loss help while you update your support case.
- For churches, nonprofits, school-based help, and community programs, check community support for nearby options.
- For national child support basics, read child support basics for a wider overview.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting too long to file. Support may not go back as far as you expect. Ask quickly if you need current or back support.
- Ignoring notices. Read every letter from DCSS or Family Court. Keep envelopes, dates, and proof of mailing.
- Changing the deal privately. A private agreement may not change the court order. Use the proper modification process.
- Not updating your address. Delaware law and court rules can require address and contact updates. Missing notices can hurt you.
- Using child support as custody advice. Support and custody are connected in some ways, but they are not the same legal issue.
Phone scripts
Calling DCSS to open a case
“Hi, I need to open a child support case in Delaware. I have one child and do not have a current support order. Can you tell me whether I should apply online, by mail, or in person, and what documents I should gather first?”
Calling about missing payments
“Hi, I am calling about my child support case. I need help checking whether a payment was received, posted, or disbursed. Can you explain what happened and what I should do next if the payment is late?”
Calling about modification
“Hi, I have an existing Delaware support order. My situation has changed. Can you tell me whether I should request a modification through DCSS or file a petition with Family Court?”
Calling legal aid
“Hi, I need legal help with a Delaware child support issue. There may also be custody, safety, or parentage questions. Can you screen me for services or tell me where I should apply?”
Resumen en español
En Delaware, los dos padres normalmente tienen la obligación de mantener a sus hijos. DCSS puede ayudar a abrir un caso, establecer paternidad, cobrar pagos, cambiar una orden y hacer cumplir una orden cuando no se paga.
Si no tiene una orden, empiece con DCSS o con la Corte de Familia. Si ya tiene una orden y los pagos no llegan, revise su historial de pagos y llame a DCSS. Si hay violencia, amenazas o control, hable primero con una línea de ayuda o con asistencia legal antes de compartir su dirección o comunicarse con el otro padre.
FAQ: Delaware child support
How long does child support last in Delaware?
Delaware law says both parents have a duty to support a child until age 18. If the child is still in high school, support can continue until the child graduates or turns 19, whichever comes first.
Can Delaware DCSS help if I do not know where the other parent is?
Yes. DCSS services include locating the absent or noncustodial parent. Give any information you have, even if it is old or incomplete.
Do I have to go to court for child support?
Many cases involve Family Court, but DCSS may help file and manage the case. Family Court says most first-time support cases go to mediation before a hearing, unless an exception applies.
Can support be changed if a parent loses a job?
Maybe. A parent can ask about modification, but the order does not safely change by itself. Delaware has rules about timing, substantial change, income proof, and reasonable earning capacity.
What if the other parent pays me cash?
Cash can create proof problems. Ask DCSS or Family Court how to document payments. Use official payment methods whenever possible so the payment record is clear.
Can child support help with medical costs?
Yes. Delaware support orders can include medical support, health insurance, or a share of uncovered medical costs. The details depend on the order and the child support calculation.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 20, 2026, next review August 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.