Ohio Child Support Office
Updated August 2026
Ohio's child support program is administered by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), but day-to-day casework is handled locally by each of Ohio's 88 county Child Support Enforcement Agencies (CSEAs).
Phone
1-800-686-1556Official Website
Official Site ↗Mailing Address
Department of Job and Family Services – Office of Child Support
30 E Broad St
Columbus, OH 43215
Case Account
Manage Your Case ↗Payments
Make a Payment ↗About the Department of Job and Family Services – Office of Child Support
Ohio runs child support as a state-supervised, county-administered program. ODJFS's Office of Child Support sets statewide policy, oversees the disbursement of payments, and runs the Child Support Customer Service Portal, but each county's Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) handles the actual casework for families in that county.
Because casework is local, the specific staff, office hours, and in-person location a family deals with depend on which county they live in. The state office is the right starting point for general questions, statewide payment issues, and the online portal, while case-specific questions usually go to the local CSEA.
The program covers the standard IV-D services: locating a parent, establishing paternity, setting a support order, and collecting and enforcing payments once an order exists.
Ohio uses the Income Shares model to calculate support. See how this compares to other states →
Ohio'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 Ohio →
How to Apply for Child Support in Ohio
Any parent or caretaker of a child can apply for Ohio child support services through their county's CSEA. Families already receiving Ohio Works First (TANF) or Medicaid are automatically referred for services; everyone else applies directly, typically for a modest application fee set by the county.
Applying starts with contacting your county CSEA, which you can find through the ODJFS website. You'll need identifying information for both parents and the child, along with any existing custody, divorce, or support paperwork.
Once the application is processed, the county agency works to establish paternity if needed and get a support order through the courts or Ohio's administrative process, then opens a case in the statewide system so payments can be tracked and collected going forward.
How to Collect Child Support Payments in Ohio
Ohio processes nearly all child support payments through wage withholding: once an order is active, the paying parent's employer sends the payment directly to the Ohio Child Support Payment Central (CSPC) processing center, which then disburses it to the receiving parent.
Receiving parents can get payments by direct deposit or a state-issued debit card, and can log in to the Child Support Customer Service Portal — available as a website and mobile app — to check payment history and case status at any time.
The portal now requires an OHID account to log in. If a payer isn't a traditional employee, the county CSEA can set up alternate payment arrangements, but income withholding remains the standard method statewide.
Missed Payments & Enforcement
When a paying parent falls behind, Ohio's county CSEAs and the state office can use several enforcement tools: intercepting state and federal tax refunds, suspending driver's, recreational, and professional licenses, reporting arrears to credit bureaus, and placing liens on property.
As in every state, federal law allows the U.S. State Department to deny or revoke a passport once a parent owes more than $2,500 in past-due child support.
Ohio can also pursue contempt proceedings through the courts for parents who persistently avoid paying, which can result in fines or jail time in serious cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I apply for Ohio child support through the state or my county? +
Through your county's Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). ODJFS sets statewide policy and runs the payment system, but casework — including applications — is handled locally by county agencies.
Is there a fee to apply for Ohio child support services? +
Most counties charge a modest application fee, though families already receiving Ohio Works First or Medicaid are typically referred for services automatically without a separate application.
How do I check my Ohio child support payment history? +
Log in to the Ohio Child Support Customer Service Portal at childsupport.ohio.gov with an OHID account, available as a website or mobile app, to view case status and payment history.
Helpful Resources
Calculator & Guidelines
See how Ohio calculates the current amount, and how it compares to other states.
Learn more →When Support Ends
Ohio'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 Ohio.
Learn more →Interstate Cases
How UIFSA determines jurisdiction when the other parent lives outside Ohio.
Learn more →This page is your Ohio starting point
Contact information above covers what the Department of Job and Family Services – Office of Child Support 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 Ohio, interstate rules — not Ohio'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.