Tennessee Child Support Office
Updated August 2026
Tennessee's Child Support Services Program, run by the Department of Human Services (TDHS), sets statewide policy while enforcement is delivered through local county child support offices.
Phone
833-772-8347Official Website
Official Site ↗Mailing Address
Department of Human Services – Child Support Services Program
Andrew Johnson Tower, 710 James Robertson Pkwy.
Nashville, TN 37243
Case Account
Manage Your Case ↗Payments
Make a Payment ↗About the Department of Human Services – Child Support Services Program
TDHS runs Tennessee's child support program statewide, with case-specific enforcement delivered through local county child support offices found via the state's office locator tool.
The program locates noncustodial parents, establishes paternity, sets support orders, and collects and enforces payments once a case is active, with applications handled through the One DHS Customer Portal.
Tennessee uses the Income Shares model to calculate support. See how this compares to other states →
Tennessee'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 Tennessee →
How to Apply for Child Support in Tennessee
A parent or caretaker of a child can apply for Tennessee child support services through the One DHS Customer Portal or by contacting a local county office. Families already receiving Families First (Tennessee's TANF program) or Medicaid 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. TDHS then works to establish paternity if needed and get a support order in place.
How to Collect Child Support Payments in Tennessee
Tennessee collects most support through income withholding once an order is active, disbursed to the receiving parent by direct deposit or debit card.
Payments can also be made through Tennessee's Smart Child Support portal, and case status can be checked through the Child Support Payment System.
Missed Payments & Enforcement
Enforcement for a missed payment is generally handled through the local county child support office assigned to a case, using tools like tax refund interception and license suspension.
As in every state, federal law allows a passport to be denied or revoked once past-due support exceeds $2,500.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for Tennessee child support services? +
Through the One DHS Customer Portal or by contacting a local county child support office. Families already receiving Families First or Medicaid in Tennessee are typically referred automatically.
How do I find my local Tennessee child support office? +
TDHS runs a Child Support Office Locator tool on its website to find the office serving your county.
How do I make a Tennessee child support payment? +
Through the Smart Tennessee Child Support portal online, linked from TDHS's paying child support page.
Helpful Resources
Calculator & Guidelines
See how Tennessee calculates the current amount, and how it compares to other states.
Learn more →When Support Ends
Tennessee'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 Tennessee.
Learn more →Interstate Cases
How UIFSA determines jurisdiction when the other parent lives outside Tennessee.
Learn more →This page is your Tennessee starting point
Contact information above covers what the Department of Human Services – Child Support Services Program 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 Tennessee, interstate rules — not Tennessee'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.