Last updated: May 20, 2026
Bottom line
In Florida, child support is handled mainly through the Florida child support program at the Department of Revenue, the courts, and county clerks. The state can help locate a parent, establish paternity, set up a child support order, process payments, and take enforcement steps when payments are not made.
Child support is not the same as custody or time-sharing. The Department of Revenue can help with financial and medical support, but it does not handle divorce, custody, time-sharing disputes, or alimony. For those issues, use Florida family forms, your county clerk, or a lawyer.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Child support rules can turn on small facts, such as paternity, time-sharing, income, medical costs, and whether a court order already exists.
If you need help now
If you are in danger, call 911. If child support issues are tied to abuse, stalking, threats, or control over money, consider speaking with a domestic violence advocate before taking steps that could alert the other parent.
- For safety help in Florida, call the Florida DV Hotline at 1-800-500-1119.
- DCF also lists domestic violence help and warns that an abuser may monitor computer use.
- For food, rent, utilities, child care, transportation, or local crisis help, contact Florida 211 and ask for local referrals.
- For child support case questions, use the official DOR contact page for phone, chat, email, and payment options.
For more Florida safety resources, see ASMOM’s Florida safety guide before sharing new contact details.
Where to start
The best starting point depends on what you already have. A parent with no order needs a different path than a parent who has an order but is not getting paid.
| Your situation | Start here | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| No child support case yet | Apply online | Child support services through Florida DOR |
| The other parent is not listed legally | Paternity help | How to establish legal fatherhood first |
| You need an order | Support order help | A child support and medical support order |
| You have an order but no payments | DOR or your county clerk | Payment history and enforcement steps |
| Your order is now wrong | Change an order | A review if income, needs, or children changed |
| You need court forms | DIY Florida | Help preparing some official court forms |
Who can apply for Florida child support services
You may be able to apply if you are a parent or caregiver who needs help getting support for a child. This can include a mother, father, grandparent, relative caregiver, or another person caring for the child.
You do not need to have been married to the other parent. If a child does not yet have a legal father, Florida may need to establish paternity before a support order can be entered.
If you receive some public benefits, you may be referred to the Child Support Program. If you are worried that cooperation could put you or your child at risk because of abuse, talk with DCF, a domestic violence advocate, or legal aid before you ignore notices.
What the Florida Child Support Program can do
Florida DOR describes a child support case as a process that may include signing up for services, locating parents, establishing paternity, establishing a support order, processing payments, enforcing an order, changing an order, and closing a case when appropriate.
Locate a parent
If you do not know where the other parent lives or works, give DOR as much information as you safely can. Old addresses, past employers, phone numbers, relatives, and birth dates may help.
Establish paternity
Paternity gives a child a legal father. It can also affect the child’s right to support, medical history, insurance, benefits, and inheritance.
Set support
A support order can set child support, medical support, and sometimes uncovered medical costs. DOR can help with orders even when one parent does not live in Florida.
Enforce support
If payments are not being made as ordered, DOR may use enforcement tools. Results depend on the facts, including whether the paying parent has income or assets that can be found.
What DOR does not handle
DOR says its support-order services do not include help with divorce, child custody, or spousal support. For those issues, use the courts, your clerk, legal aid, or a family law attorney.
How child support is calculated in Florida
Florida uses child support guidelines in Florida Statute 61.30. The guideline amount starts with financial information about both parents and the child’s needs. DOR says the amount depends on the income and assets of both parents, and it asks for records such as paychecks and income tax returns.
The final amount can also be affected by child care costs, health insurance, uncovered medical costs, the number of children, and the time-sharing schedule. If you are using a worksheet or calculator, treat the result as an estimate unless it is part of a final order signed by the right authority.
Florida law also says many support orders must state when support ends. Under Florida Statute 61.13, support often ends at age 18 unless a listed exception applies, such as a child who is still in high school and expected to graduate before age 19, or another agreement or court finding.
Keep your numbers current
Bring current pay stubs, tax records, child care bills, insurance costs, and proof of overnights. Old or guessed numbers can slow the case or lead to a support amount that does not match your real situation.
How to apply for child support in Florida
The easiest public starting point is usually Child Support eServices. The portal lets eligible parents apply online. Once a case is open and active, it can also help you update contact information, update information about the other parent, see actions taken on your case, view payments, and print payment histories.
- Check safety first. If abuse or stalking is involved, call an advocate or legal aid before you submit new address or contact details.
- Start the application. Use eServices, call DOR, or ask for help through the official contact page.
- Answer carefully. Give true information and do not guess when you can say you are unsure.
- Send requested forms. DOR may ask for parent, child, income, paternity, or expense information.
- Track your case. Save copies of notices, forms, payment records, and messages.
For broader help in Florida, including food, health care, child care, housing, and cash aid, see Florida assistance and Florida emergency help while your support case moves forward.
Documents and information to gather
You may not need every item below on day one, but gathering it early can make calls and forms easier.
| What to gather | Examples | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Child information | Birth certificate, Social Security number, school records | Confirms the child and helps set up the case |
| Your information | Photo ID, address, phone, email, employer | Helps verify your identity and contact you |
| Other parent information | Full name, date of birth, address, employer, phone | Helps locate the parent and serve notices |
| Income proof | Pay stubs, tax return, W-2, self-employment records | Supports the guideline calculation |
| Child costs | Child care bills, health premiums, medical bills | May affect support and medical support |
| Existing orders | Divorce, paternity, custody, support, injunction papers | Shows what a court already ordered |
| Payment proof | SDU history, bank records, receipts | Helps when payments are missing or disputed |
If DOR sends you forms, its form help videos explain several common child support forms, including financial affidavits, parent information forms, paternity forms, and unpaid support forms.
How Florida child support payments work
Florida law requires support payments handled by the state to be sent electronically. DOR says parents can receive payments by direct deposit or on the smiONE Visa Prepaid Card. If no choice is made, a payment card is sent. Paper checks are no longer sent for those payments.
Use the official payment options page for current payment receiving rules. For payment questions, the Florida State Disbursement Unit number is 1-877-769-0251. You may need your case number and Social Security number.
If you need to make payments, use the official make payments page or the payment instructions in your order. Do not rely on verbal side agreements if a court order says payments must go through the State Disbursement Unit or clerk.
Watch out for direct payments
If the order says payments must go through the official payment system, cash apps, cash handoffs, or personal payments may cause record problems. Keep proof and ask DOR, the clerk, or a lawyer how your case should be credited.
If payments stop or the amount looks wrong
Do not assume the office knows what changed. Check your payment history, save screenshots or PDFs, and contact the right office. If your case is with DOR, start with eServices or the DOR contact page. If your case is not with DOR, your county clerk may be the right place for payment records.
| Problem | First step | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| No payment came | Check eServices or SDU records | A late payment may not mean enforcement has started |
| Employer changed | Report the new employer | Income withholding may take time to update |
| Payment is smaller | Ask for a payment breakdown | Arrears, fees, benefit reimbursement, or allocation rules may affect what you receive |
| Other parent moved | Tell DOR or legal aid | Interstate cases can move slower |
| You are afraid to contact them | Call a DV advocate or legal aid | Safety planning should come before paperwork |
Child support is one part of a bigger budget. If you also need food, child care, rent, or health coverage, use ASMOM’s SNAP guide, Florida child care, Florida housing help, and Florida health care pages for next steps.
How to change a Florida child support order
A support order does not change just because income, child care costs, time-sharing, or the child’s needs changed. You usually need a new order or an official modification.
DOR says a parent with a case can ask for a review if the order will not end within six months and the order has not been changed or reviewed in the last three years, or if the parent can show a large life change. Examples include income changes, a child’s needs changing, adding or removing a child, extending support because a child is still in high school, or adding or removing medical support.
DOR says an order review and change generally takes about six months. That is not a promise for every case. Contested cases, missing income records, out-of-state parents, or court scheduling can affect timing.
Do not wait if the order is wrong
Past-due support can keep growing until an order is changed. If you are the paying parent and cannot pay, contact DOR, the clerk, legal aid, or a lawyer. If you are the receiving parent and support is too low, ask about review options.
Legal help, court forms, and safety help
Child support is a legal issue. You may be able to handle some parts through DOR, but you may need legal help if there is custody conflict, domestic violence, a disputed father, a complex income situation, a court hearing, or an order from another state.
- Find legal aid through Florida Law Help.
- Florida online intake can connect some people to free legal help.
- Florida family forms lists official self-help forms.
- DIY Florida can help prepare some forms for self-represented filers.
- Local resource guide explains how to use 211, agencies, and nonprofits.
If money is short while you wait for support, also check WIC help, the Child Tax Credit, and school scholarships if you are trying to train for a better job.
Phone scripts you can use
Calling DOR to start
“Hi, I am caring for my child in Florida and need to start child support services. Can you tell me whether I should apply through eServices, what documents I need, and how to protect my address if safety is a concern?”
Calling about missed payments
“Hi, I have a Florida child support case and I need help checking my payment history. Can you tell me the last payment received, whether any enforcement action is pending, and what information you need from me?”
Calling about paternity
“Hi, my child may need paternity established before support can be ordered. What forms or next steps apply in my case, and what should I do if the other parent lives outside Florida?”
Calling legal aid
“Hi, I need help with a Florida child support issue. There may also be custody, safety, or court-paperwork concerns. Do you handle these cases, and if not, who should I call in my county?”
Backup options while you wait
Child support can be important, but it may not solve an urgent need today. If you are waiting for an order or enforcement, build a backup plan.
- Call 211 for local food, rent, utility, transportation, and child care referrals.
- Apply for SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, school meals, or child care assistance if you may qualify.
- Ask your child’s school about McKinney-Vento help if housing is unstable.
- Ask legal aid about court forms if DOR cannot handle the issue you have.
- If violence or threats are involved, work with a domestic violence advocate before making contact or filing papers.
For national guidance on child support basics, see ASMOM’s child support help hub.
Resumen en español
En Florida, el programa de manutención infantil puede ayudar a localizar al otro padre, establecer paternidad, crear una orden de manutención, procesar pagos y tomar medidas si no se paga. Puede empezar en eServices o llamar al Departamento de Revenue.
Si hay violencia doméstica, amenazas o control económico, busque ayuda antes de dar una dirección nueva o empezar un caso. Llame al 911 si está en peligro. La línea de violencia doméstica de Florida es 1-800-500-1119.
Guarde copias de órdenes, pagos, cartas, recibos, talones de pago, gastos de cuidado infantil y seguro médico. Si necesita ayuda legal, busque una oficina de asistencia legal en su condado.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get child support in Florida if we were never married?
Yes, marriage is not required. If the child does not have a legal father, paternity may need to be established before a support order can be entered.
Does Florida DOR help with custody or time-sharing?
No. DOR can help with child support and medical support, but it does not handle divorce, custody, time-sharing disputes, or alimony. Use the courts, your county clerk, legal aid, or a lawyer for those issues.
How do I check Florida child support payments?
If your case is with the Florida Child Support Program, use eServices or call the Florida State Disbursement Unit at 1-877-769-0251. You may need your case number and Social Security number.
Can a Florida child support order be changed?
Yes, but it must be changed through the proper process. A parent with a DOR case may ask for a review when the order qualifies, such as after three years or after a large life change.
What if the other parent lives outside Florida?
DOR says it can assist with establishing an order even if one parent does not live in Florida. Interstate cases may take longer because another state or country may be involved.
What if child support is tied to abuse?
Call 911 if you are in danger. If it is not immediate danger, contact the Florida Domestic Violence Hotline, legal aid, or a local advocate before you take steps that could affect your safety or reveal your location.
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.