Alabama Child Support Office
Updated August 2026
Alabama child support is run by the Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED) of the Department of Human Resources (DHR), which handles cases statewide from a central office in Montgomery.
Phone
(334) 242-9300Official Website
Official Site ↗Mailing Address
Department of Human Resources – Child Support Enforcement Division
P.O. Box 304000
Montgomery, AL 36130-4000
Case Account
Manage Your Case ↗Payments
Make a Payment ↗Enforcement
Report Missed Payments ↗About the Department of Human Resources – Child Support Enforcement Division
CSED is Alabama's IV-D agency, the office every state runs under federal law to establish, collect, and enforce child support. It's a division of the Department of Human Resources and is administered at the state level rather than county by county.
The division locates noncustodial parents, establishes paternity where it isn't already legally settled, sets support orders, and then collects and enforces payments once a case is active. Alabama also runs a 24-hour automated voice line for checking payment and arrearage information without waiting for a caseworker.
Alabama uses the Income Shares model to calculate support. See how this compares to other states →
Alabama's default child support termination age is 19. See the full rules, including high school and disability extensions →
Circumstances change — see how to request a modification in Alabama →
How to Apply for Child Support in Alabama
Any parent or caretaker of a child can apply for Alabama child support services. Families already receiving TANF or Medicaid are typically referred automatically; other families apply directly, usually for a small application fee.
You can start an application through DHR's My DHR self-service portal or by contacting a local county DHR office. You'll need identifying information for both parents and the child, along with any existing custody or support paperwork.
Once a case opens, CSED works to locate the other parent if needed, establish paternity, and get a support order through the courts before enforcement and collection can begin.
How to Collect Child Support Payments in Alabama
Alabama collects most child support through income withholding, sent through the Alabama Central Disbursement Division and paid out to the receiving parent by direct deposit or debit card.
Parents can also pay through ExpertPay or MoneyGram if wage withholding isn't in place, and can check payment status anytime through the My DHR portal or the automated voice response line at 1-800-284-4347.
Missed Payments & Enforcement
When a parent falls behind, CSED can intercept state and federal tax refunds, suspend driver's and professional licenses, place liens on property, and report the debt to credit bureaus.
As in every state, federal law allows the U.S. State Department to deny or revoke a passport once past-due support exceeds $2,500, and Alabama can pursue contempt action through the courts for parents who persistently avoid paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for Alabama child support services? +
Through the My DHR self-service portal or by contacting your local county DHR office. Families already on TANF or Medicaid are usually referred for services automatically.
How can I check my Alabama child support payment history? +
Log in to My DHR online, or call the 24-hour automated voice response line at 1-800-284-4347 for payment and arrearage information without waiting for a caseworker.
What happens if the other parent stops paying in Alabama? +
CSED can intercept tax refunds, suspend licenses, report arrears to credit bureaus, and place liens on property. Once past-due support exceeds $2,500, a passport can also be denied or revoked under federal law.
Helpful Resources
Calculator & Guidelines
See how Alabama calculates the current amount, and how it compares to other states.
Learn more →When Support Ends
Alabama's default termination age, plus how high school, disability, or college can extend it.
Learn more →Modify an Order
What counts as a substantial change and how to request a modification in Alabama.
Learn more →Interstate Cases
How UIFSA determines jurisdiction when the other parent lives outside Alabama.
Learn more →This page is your Alabama starting point
Contact information above covers what the Department of Human Resources – Child Support Enforcement Division handles directly, but the guideline model, termination age, and modification rules that decide your amount live on the dedicated pages linked here. And if the other parent lives outside Alabama, interstate rules — not Alabama's own procedures — determine which state has authority.
Nearby State Child Support Offices
Rules, portals, and enforcement tools change at the state line. If a case involves parents in more than one state, start with each state's own office — interstate cases are handled through direct cooperation between the agencies involved.