Virginia Child Support Office
Updated August 2026
Virginia's Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE), part of the Department of Social Services (VDSS), runs child support statewide through local district offices.
Phone
1-800-468-8894Official Website
Official Site ↗Mailing Address
Department of Social Services – Division of Child Support Enforcement
P.O. Box 28450
Richmond, VA 23228-8450
Case Account
Manage Your Case ↗About the Department of Social Services – Division of Child Support Enforcement
DCSE is Virginia's IV-D agency, run statewide as a single VDSS division that delivers services through local district offices — a state-administered structure with local service delivery, rather than independently run county agencies.
The division locates noncustodial parents, establishes paternity, sets support orders, and collects and enforces payments once a case is active, with case management through the MyChildSupport portal.
Virginia uses the Income Shares model to calculate support. See how this compares to other states →
Virginia'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 Virginia →
How to Apply for Child Support in Virginia
A parent or caretaker of a child can apply for Virginia child support services through the MyChildSupport portal or by contacting a local DCSE district office. Families already receiving TANF or Medicaid in Virginia 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. DCSE then works to establish paternity if needed and get a support order in place.
How to Collect Child Support Payments in Virginia
Virginia collects most support through income withholding once an order is active, disbursed to the receiving parent by direct deposit or debit card through the Treasurer of Virginia's payment system.
Payments can be scheduled and tracked through the MyChildSupport portal, which handles both case management and payments in one place.
Missed Payments & Enforcement
DCSE can intercept tax refunds, suspend licenses, and report 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for Virginia child support services? +
Through the MyChildSupport portal or by contacting a local DCSE district office. Families already receiving TANF or Medicaid in Virginia are typically referred for services automatically.
How do I make a Virginia child support payment? +
Through the MyChildSupport portal, which handles both payments and case management in one place.
What happens if the other parent stops paying in Virginia? +
DCSE can intercept tax refunds, suspend licenses, and report arrears to credit bureaus. Once past-due support exceeds $2,500, a passport can also be denied under federal law.
Helpful Resources
Calculator & Guidelines
See how Virginia calculates the current amount, and how it compares to other states.
Learn more →When Support Ends
Virginia'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 Virginia.
Learn more →Interstate Cases
How UIFSA determines jurisdiction when the other parent lives outside Virginia.
Learn more →This page is your Virginia starting point
Contact information above covers what the Department of Social Services – Division of Child Support Enforcement 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 Virginia, interstate rules — not Virginia'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.