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Child Support for Custodial Parents

The custodial parent is the parent, relative, or guardian who lives with and is the primary caretaker of the child or children.

To apply for the child support program, any mother, father, or guardian who cares for a child can go to the Family Court or Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) office in the borough they live in, regardless of immigration status and where the other parent (also called the noncustodial parent) resides. Child Support is a national and international program, so custodial parents are encouraged to apply for services even if the other parent does not live in New York City. Refer to the Custodial Parent Handbook for more information

Services for parents include:

  • Locating the other parent (noncustodial parent)
  • Assisting with preparing a petition to establish legal fatherhood (parentage) at Family Court. Even if you believe the noncustodial parent cannot afford to pay child support right now, you should still get a child support order. Establishing legal fatherhood or parentage just by itself can benefit your child.
  • Assisting with preparing a petition to establish child support and medical support orders at Family Court
  • Collecting and distributing support payments to the custodial parent or guardian
  • Enforcing child support orders
  • Connecting noncustodial parents to jobs
  • Offering noncustodial parents debt reduction options
  • Providing summons service

In New York State, child support ends when the child turns 21 or emancipates, whichever occurs first.

Establishing custody and visitation orders is done in a separate part of the New York City Family Court. Learn more on the Court's Custody & Visitation webpage. If you would like to discuss whether custody & visitation orders are right for you, OCSS can refer you and the other parent to mediation services. Cusody & visitation orders are not required to establish a child support order.

Access to mediation can also help you settle child support debt that is owed to you – whether it’s a smaller amount in exchange for forgiving all or part of the past-due child support or you decide not to take action and continue with your child support case. Mediation can also help you and the other parent work through issues that can make co-parenting difficult.

Below is a basic summary of the child support process.

Infographic containing an arrow and colorful circles in the middle, with texts around it explaining the child support process. Chart composed of colored shapes and segments of texts explain the steps to file for child support.

If you need to contact us, please use one of the methods listed on contact list. Also available in:

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Click a topic, or press the enter key on a topic, to reveal the details.

Open a new child support case

Custodial Parent Handbook

Child Support and Cash Assistance

Getting child support safely

Agreements (define the child support order details before the court hearing)

Prepare for Court

  • Family Legal Care can support your technology needs with computers, internet access, phones, scanners, printers/fax, and assistance with Court navigation support. Visit the Family Legal Care Tech Hub page for more information.

Manage or modify your Child Support case

Child Support Case Enforcement

Videos

Additional Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to questions many parents have. Contact us for assistance with case specific questions.