Child Support Resources

Child Support Services: Inexpensive, comprehensive and helpful - People considering opening or closing a case can get an overview of child support services, including services only the child support office can provide.
Child Support Services: Inexpensive, comprehensive and helpful (PDF)

Every Child's Right to Child Support - This brochure provides basic information about Minnesota's child support services. It has information about what child support services include and do not include, descriptions of services, and payment information line and general information telephone numbers.
Every Child's Right to Child Support (PDF)

This brochure is also available in other languages:

• Hmong - Every Child's Right to Child Support (PDF)
• Somali - Every Child's Right to Child Support (PDF)
• Spanish - Every Child's Right to Child Support (PDF)

Understanding Child Support: A handbook for parents - This handbook explains Minnesota's child support program in an easy-to-read question and answer format. It includes guidelines for setting support obligations; definitions for child support terms; resources; and information about locating parents, establishing parentage, establishing support orders, enforcing orders and modifying orders.
Understanding Child Support: A handbook for parents (PDF)

This brochure is also available in other languages:

• Hmong - Understanding Child Support: A handbook for parents (PDF)
• Somali - Understanding Child Support: A handbook for parents (PDF)
• Spanish - Understanding Child Support: A handbook for parents (PDF)

Answers to Grandparents' Questions about Child Support - Grandparents raising their grandchild can get information about such issues as how to receive child support, child support services and other financial assistance.
Answers to Grandparents' Questions about Child Support (PDF)

Explanation of Child Support and Income Withholding-Only Services in Minnesota - This form explains child support services available to applicants and the difference between full services and income withholding-only services.
Explanation of Child Support and Income Withholding-Only Services in Minnesota (PDF)

This brochure is also available in other languages:

• Hmong - Explanation of Child Support and Income Withholding-Only Services in Minnesota (PDF)
• Somali - Explanation of Child Support and Income Withholding-Only Services in Minnesota (PDF)
• Spanish - Explanation of Child Support and Income Withholding-Only Services in Minnesota (PDF)

Changing Your Minnesota Child Support Order - This brochure has information to help parents decide if they should ask the court to change their child support order, and to do things right to have the best chance of success for themselves and their children.

Changing Your Minnesota Child Support Order (PDF)

Being a Legal Father: Parentage information for mothers and fathers - Unmarried parents can get answers to questions about establishing parentage and voluntary paternity acknowledgements.
Being a Legal Father: Parentage information for mothers and fathers (PDF)

This brochure is also available in other languages:

• Hmong - Being a Legal Father: Parentage information for mothers and fathers (PDF)
• Somali - Being a Legal Father: Parentage information for mothers and fathers (PDF)
• Spanish - Being a Legal Father: Parentage information for mothers and fathers (PDF)

Find forms for different stages of child support, from applying for services to closing a case.

Child Support Forms Library

• Child support calculator
• Minnesota Child Support Online (MCSO), a secure website where parents can make online payments and view case and payment information
• Minnesota Child Support Parenting Time Calendar Tool, a web page created to help parents, attorneys, and child support professionals count the number of court-ordered overnights each parent has with their children when parents don't live together
• Learn more about getting up-to-date information online or by phone.

• Federal and state law require the Minnesota Department of Human Services to review the state child support guidelines and produce a report of the results every four years.

  • 2022 Child Support Guidelines Review

• The reports provide data on state and county information related to the federal performance measures, collections and caseloads, ranking, comparisons, and other useful information.

  • 2023 Child Support Performance Report DHS-4252X (PDF)
  • 2022 Child Support Performance Report DHS-4252W (PDF)
  • 2021 Child Support Performance Report DHS-4252V (PDF)

  Evaluation of Minnesota Child Support Division Mechanism and Programs

  The Minnesota Legislature requires the Minnesota Department of Human Services to evaluate all child support programs and to report a variety of measures to the Legislature every two years.

  • 2021 Evaluation of Minnesota Child Support Division Mechanisms and Programs