Wisconsin Child Support Office
Updated August 2026
Wisconsin's Bureau of Child Support, part of the Department of Children and Families, sets statewide policy, while roughly 72 county child support agencies handle individual cases.
Phone
1-877-253-3686Official Website
Official Site ↗Mailing Address
Department of Children and Families – Bureau of Child Support
201 West Washington Avenue
Madison, WI 53703-8916
Case Account
Manage Your Case ↗Payments
Make a Payment ↗Enforcement
Report Missed Payments ↗About the Department of Children and Families – Bureau of Child Support
Wisconsin's child support program is state-supervised, county-administered — similar to Ohio and Michigan. DCF's Bureau of Child Support sets policy statewide, but each county, including Milwaukee and Dane, runs its own local Child Support Agency for casework.
The state bureau and local agencies together locate noncustodial parents, establish paternity, set support orders, and collect and enforce payments once a case is active.
Wisconsin uses the Percentage of Income (Flat) model to calculate support. See how this compares to other states →
Wisconsin'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 Wisconsin →
How to Apply for Child Support in Wisconsin
A parent or caretaker of a child applies for Wisconsin child support services through their county's Child Support Agency. Families already receiving Wisconsin Works (W-2) 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. The county agency then works to establish paternity if needed and get a support order in place.
How to Collect Child Support Payments in Wisconsin
Wisconsin 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 ExpertPay, MoneyGram, or AllPaid, and both parents can check payment history and case status through Child Support Online Services (CSOS) for 24/7 balance information.
Missed Payments & Enforcement
Wisconsin's enforcement page lists tools including tax refund interception, license suspension, and credit bureau reporting for parents who fall behind on payments, coordinated between the state and county agency.
As in every state, federal law allows a passport to be denied or revoked once past-due support exceeds $2,500.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I apply for Wisconsin child support through the state or my county? +
Through your county's Child Support Agency — Wisconsin is state-supervised but county-administered, similar to Ohio and Michigan. About 72 county agencies handle casework statewide.
How do I check my Wisconsin child support payment history? +
Through Child Support Online Services (CSOS) at csos.wisconsin.gov, which offers 24/7 balance and payment information.
How do I make a Wisconsin child support payment? +
Through ExpertPay, MoneyGram, or AllPaid — Wisconsin's "ways to pay" page lists all current electronic options.
Helpful Resources
Calculator & Guidelines
See how Wisconsin calculates the current amount, and how it compares to other states.
Learn more →When Support Ends
Wisconsin'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 Wisconsin.
Learn more →Interstate Cases
How UIFSA determines jurisdiction when the other parent lives outside Wisconsin.
Learn more →This page is your Wisconsin starting point
Contact information above covers what the Department of Children and Families – Bureau 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 Wisconsin, interstate rules — not Wisconsin'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.