Ways to pay and receive child support

The Division of Child Support offers many ways to pay and receive child support. If you have questions, DCS is here to help. Call us at 800-442-KIDS (5437).

Do you need to mail in a payment?

Include your DCS account number on your check or money order and mail it to:

Washington State Support Registry
P.O. Box 45868
Olympia, WA
98504-5868

The Division of Child Support offers many ways to pay and receive child support. The process for setting each up is simple. But it’s important you understand how it works. If you have questions, DCS is here to help. Call us at 800-442-KIDS (5437).

 

Paying child support through income withholding

Most parents pay child support by income withholding. Employers withhold the amount from the parent’s paycheck and forward it to the Division of Child Support. DCS passes the payment along to the parent receiving support.

Child support can also be withheld from other income sources such as:

  • Unemployment compensation
  • Paid Family and Medical Leave benefits
  • Social Security disability or retirement payments
  • Workers’ compensation

Workers in fabric store

Other ways to pay child support

Parents who want to make additional payments or who are not required by the child support order to have the payment withheld from their paycheck have other options for making payments, including:


Receiving child support

Parents or caregivers who receive child support have options for receiving their payments:

  • The DCS Card, which looks and acts like a prepaid debit card
  • Direct deposit into your bank account