Child Support FAQs

Child Support services are available to anyone who has a child not living with both parents.

Applications for child support services can be found online at https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/children-and-families/services/child-support/programs-services/applying-for-services.jsp , in person at any county child support office, or by contacting St. Louis County Child Support Services.

Automatic Withdrawals:

Most parents make support payments through income withholding.

Online payments:

Parents can make payments using Minnesota Child Support Online (MCSO).  Payments are made from their checking or savings account through a secure online application.

Mail:

Parents may pay support by check, cashier’s check or money order.  Parents should include their name and child support case number with mailed payments to ensure the payment is applied to the correct case.

Make checks payable to:   Minnesota Child Support Payment Center

Send payments to:    
Minnesota Child Support Payment Center
PO Box 64326
St. Paul, MN  55164-0326

Payments received at the Child Support Payment Center on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday are processed the following Monday.  Payments received the day before state holidays are issued the next business day.

DO NOT SEND CASH.  DO NOT SEND PAYMENTS DIRECTLY TO THE OTHER PARENT.

Yes.  Paternity must be established first, either by voluntarily completing the Recognition of Parentage which is filed with the Minnesota Department of Health or through a court process.  After paternity has been established, an order for support can be established.

Yes.  The child support office can assist with coordination of genetic testing.

Child support is calculated using state mandated guidelines applied to the gross income of both parents.  You can estimate the amount of child support that may be ordered using the Guidelines Calculator at https://childsupportcalculator.dhs.state.mn.us/
This calculator is for estimation and information only.  

Minnesota Child Support Online (MCSO) is a resource for parents who have an open child support case.  It allows parents to see information about their case.  Information available includes:  payment information, current monthly charges and account balances, current case status, enforcement actions that may currently be in place, actions taken on your case within the past 90 days, your worker’s name and phone number, and upcoming appointments.  You can also make payments, update your mailing address, phone number, and email address.  In order to use MCSO, you will need to have your participant number (also known as the MCI #) and a Personal Identification Number (PIN).  This information can be requested by contacting the child support office. 

Your personal information will need to be mailed to your address and is not provided over the phone.  Once you have the login information necessary, you can register and access the system by following this link:  https://www.childsupport.dhs.state.mn.us/Action/Welcome