Local child support agency for Onondaga County and the Syracuse area. Services include case establishment, paternity testing, order enforcement, and modification requests. Located at 421 Montgomery St., Syracuse. Call (315) 435-2985 Mon–Fri 8am–5pm. Bring photo ID and Social Security number when visiting. Payment and case status are accessible at childsupport.ny.gov.
Child support in the United States is administered state-by-state under the Title IV-D federal program, with every state required to operate a child support enforcement agency. These agencies establish paternity, locate non-custodial parents, calculate support obligations, and enforce payments through wage garnishment, tax refund intercepts, license suspension, and other civil enforcement tools. Support amounts are calculated using state-specific guidelines, most based on an income shares or percentage-of-income formula. Fathers paying support can request modifications when their income drops substantially or when circumstances change (job loss, additional children, disability). Fathers owed support can open a case with their state agency free of charge. This directory includes each state's child support agency, online calculators, local enforcement offices, and modification resources.
Child Support in New York
New York has separate Family Court (for custody, support, paternity, DV) and Supreme Court (for divorce) systems. NYC's Family Court operates in all five boroughs. The Office of Child Support Services runs enforcement. NYC, Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, and Syracuse are the major metros. Legal Aid Society of NYC, New York Legal Assistance Group, and Legal Services NYC provide substantial family law aid.
More Child Support in New York
NY Child Support Program — childsupport.ny.gov — Official NYS child support portal at childsupport.ny.gov. Opens cases, locates non-custodial parents, establishes paternity, obtains and enf
NY Child Support Helpline — OTDA — Statewide helpline for child support questions including case status, payments, paternity, modifications, and enforcement. TTY available at
NY Child Support — Local Offices Locator — Find your local child support office by county at childsupport.ny.gov/offices. Every NY county has a dedicated child support office providin
NYC HRA — Child Support Calculator (OCSS) — Official NYC-based online calculator using NY Child Support Standards Act formula. Estimates child support amounts based on combined parenta
Paternity Establishment — NY Child Support — Information on voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage forms, DNA testing through the child support program, and paternity petitions through F
Child Support — Common Questions
How do I open a child support case?
Apply through your state's Child Support Services agency — usually online, in person, or by mail. Applications are free, and the agency handles paternity establishment, order creation, and enforcement on your behalf. You don't need the other parent's cooperation to open a case.
Can I modify my child support order?
Yes, if there's a substantial change in circumstances (income drop of 15–25% or more, job loss, disability, a new child, change in custody time). File a Motion to Modify with the court that issued the original order. Most states don't modify retroactively — file as soon as circumstances change.
What happens if I can't pay?
Contact the child support agency immediately — don't ignore the debt. Options include payment plans, hardship modifications, and in some states, work programs that substitute community service for payment. Accumulated arrears don't disappear but can sometimes be reduced through debt compromise programs.
How is the amount calculated?
Each state uses guidelines — most follow Income Shares (combining both parents' income) or Percentage of Income (only non-custodial parent's income). Online calculators on every state agency site estimate your obligation. The actual order also considers health insurance, childcare, and other add-ons.