Washington Child Support Office
Updated August 2026
Washington's Division of Child Support (DCS), part of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), runs child support statewide from its central office in Tacoma.
Phone
1-800-442-5437Official Website
Official Site ↗Mailing Address
Department of Social and Health Services – Division of Child Support
Division of Child Support, P.O. Box 11520
Tacoma, WA 98411-5520
Case Account
Manage Your Case ↗Payments
Make a Payment ↗Enforcement
Report Missed Payments ↗About the Department of Social and Health Services – Division of Child Support
DCS is Washington's IV-D agency, run statewide through DSHS rather than by county. It locates noncustodial parents, establishes paternity, sets support orders, and collects and enforces payments once a case is active.
Case access runs through SecureAccess Washington (SAW) — the state's general login system — with the DCS Online service added to view case-specific information.
Washington uses the Income Shares model to calculate support. See how this compares to other states →
Washington'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 Washington →
How to Apply for Child Support in Washington
A parent or caretaker of a child can apply for Washington child support services through a SecureAccess Washington account with DCS Online added, or by contacting DCS directly. Families already receiving TANF or Medicaid in Washington 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. DCS then works to establish paternity if needed and get a support order in place.
How to Collect Child Support Payments in Washington
Washington 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 made through DCS Online for banking-linked payments, or through TouchPay, a third-party vendor. DSHS's payment options page lists all current methods.
Missed Payments & Enforcement
DSHS's FAQ page details what actions DCS can take to enforce an order, including tax refund interception, license suspension, and credit bureau reporting for parents who fall behind.
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 Washington child support services? +
Create a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account and add DCS Online, or contact DCS directly. Families already receiving TANF or Medicaid in Washington are typically referred automatically.
How do I make a Washington child support payment? +
Through DCS Online for banking-linked payments, or through the third-party vendor TouchPay — DSHS's payment options page lists all current methods.
What can DCS do if the other parent stops paying in Washington? +
DCS 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.