Delaware Child Support Office

Updated August 2026

Delaware's Division of Child Support Services (DCSS), part of the Department of Health and Social Services, runs child support statewide with customer service organized by county.

About the Department of Health and Social Services – Division of Child Support Services

DCSS is Delaware's IV-D agency, run as a single state division rather than independent county agencies, though customer service lines are organized by county — New Castle, Kent, and Sussex each have their own number.

The division locates noncustodial parents, establishes paternity, sets support orders, and collects and enforces payments once a case is active, with case management available through Delaware's my.delaware.gov portal.

Delaware uses the Melson Formula model to calculate support. See how this compares to other states →

Delaware's default child support termination age is 18. See the full rules, including high school and disability extensions →

Circumstances change — see how to request a modification in Delaware →

How to Apply for Child Support in Delaware

A parent or caretaker of a child can apply for Delaware child support services through the my.delaware.gov portal or by calling the customer service line for their county. Families already receiving TANF or Medicaid in Delaware are typically referred for services automatically.

The application requires identifying information for both parents and the child, along with any existing custody or support paperwork. DCSS then works to establish paternity if needed and get a support order in place.

How to Collect Child Support Payments in Delaware

Delaware collects most support through income withholding once an order is active, disbursed to the receiving parent by direct deposit or debit card.

Payments can be tracked online through the iPayOnline portal, which shows payment history and current balances for both parents in a case.

Go to the Payment Portal ↗

Missed Payments & Enforcement

DCSS's enforcement measures include intercepting tax refunds, suspending licenses, and reporting arrears to credit bureaus when a parent falls behind on payments.

As in every state, federal law allows a passport to be denied or revoked once past-due support exceeds $2,500. Delaware's enforcement measures page has the current list of tools in active use.

Report a Missed Payment ↗

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for Delaware child support services? +

Through the my.delaware.gov portal or by calling the DCSS customer service line for your county (New Castle, Kent, or Sussex). Families already receiving TANF or Medicaid in Delaware are typically referred automatically.

Does Delaware have county child support agencies? +

No — DCSS is a single state division, though customer service phone lines are organized by county (New Castle, Kent, Sussex) rather than by a statewide number alone.

How do I check my Delaware child support payment history? +

Through the iPayOnline portal, which shows current payment history and balances for a case.

Helpful Resources

This page is your Delaware starting point

Contact information above covers what the Department of Health and Social Services – Division of Child Support Services 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 Delaware, interstate rules — not Delaware'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.