Child Support

Child Support Program

The mission of the child support program is to promote the well-being of children and the self-sufficiency of families by delivering quality child support services.

What is Child Support?

Every child needs financial and emotional support. The vision of Minnesota's child support program is that children can depend on their parents for the support they need. The child support program helps children receive the financial support, including medical support and child care support, they deserve. It helps families work toward becoming and remaining self sufficient and assists parents in establishing a financial partnership for their children.

Child support is money some parents pay to another parent or person to support their children. The court orders child support. Child support includes:

Basic support (the dollar amount ordered for a child's housing, food, clothing, transportation and education expenses)
Child care support
Medical support

When is Child Support Required?

Child support may be part of an interim, temporary, permanent, or modified court order in:

Child custody action
Divorce or legal separation
Order for protection

Paternity action
Separate child support action

How Can I Apply for Child Support Services?

You can contact 651-430-6615 to request an application for services, or you can get an application online at Department of Human Services. Return your completed application to:
Washington County Child Support Unit
P.O. Box 30
Stillwater, MN 55082

When you apply for services, you also agree to pay a two percent cost recovery fee on your payments, if you are the applicant and receive child support, or on your obligation if you are the applicant and pay child support.

If you or your minor child / children receive cash assistance from the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) or the Diversionary Work Program (DWP), Medical Assistance (MA), or Child Care Assistance, the child support agency will automatically open a child support case for you and will expect you to provide information and cooperate in establishing paternity, establishing an order for support and collecting support. You do not have to pay an application fee or other fees.