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.

Child Support in North Carolina

13 verified resources.

About Child Support for Fathers

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 North Carolina

North Carolina district courts handle family matters in all 100 counties, with some counties having dedicated family court sessions. The Child Support Services Section operates under DHHS. Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, and Winston-Salem are the largest metros. Legal Aid of North Carolina is the primary LSC-funded statewide civil legal aid program.

13 Resources

1. Wake County Child Support Office — Free

Local child support enforcement office serving Wake County assisting with establishing paternity, setting up support orders, modifications, and payment processing. Fathers can request reviews for order modifications based on income changes. Staff help navigate the process and connect with the NC ePay portal for online payments. Call 919-212-7800 to schedule. Located at 220 Swinburne St, Raleigh. Bring pay stubs and ID. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

919-212-7800 · 220 Swinburne St, Raleigh, NC 27610 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Mecklenburg County Child Support Services — Free

County-level child support office serving Charlotte and Mecklenburg County providing case establishment, enforcement, payment collection, and modification assistance. Fathers can request support order modifications due to job loss or income changes. Staff assist with paternity establishment and locate noncustodial parents. Call 704-432-4300 to schedule. Located at 5800 Executive Center Dr, Charlotte. Bring income documentation and ID. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

704-432-4300 · 5800 Executive Center Dr, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28212 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Guilford County Child Support Enforcement — Free

Serves Greensboro, High Point, and all of Guilford County helping establish paternity, locate non-custodial parents, and establish or modify support orders. Fathers experiencing income changes can request a review for order modification. Staff also assist with income withholding setup and payment tracking. Call 336-641-3766 to schedule. Located at 1203 Maple St, Greensboro. Bring recent pay stubs and photo ID. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

336-641-3766 · 1203 Maple St, Greensboro, NC 27405 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Durham County Child Support Services — Free

Local child support office for Durham County assisting with paternity establishment, order setup and enforcement, income withholding, and modification requests. Fathers can seek order adjustments based on income or circumstance changes. Staff help connect fathers with online payment tools and case status information. Call 919-560-8000 to schedule. Located at 414 E Main St, Durham. Bring photo ID and recent income verification. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

919-560-8000 · 414 E Main St, Durham, NC 27701 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. NC ePay - Child Support Payment Portal — Free

Official online payment portal for NC child support allowing payments via credit card, debit card, or bank account. Fathers can access full payment history, case status, and account details online at any time. Payment confirmation is immediate and recorded. Call 1-877-637-3888 for technical support. Available 24/7 at the NC ePay portal online. Keep payment receipts for your records. No account creation required for one-time payments.

1-877-637-3888 · Online resource · Online 24/7

6. Cumberland County Child Support Office — Free

Local child support enforcement office serving Fayetteville and Cumberland County providing paternity establishment, order setup, enforcement, and modification assistance. Military fathers at Fort Liberty receive specialized help with deployment-related modifications. Staff assist with income withholding and online payment setup. Call 910-677-2500 to schedule. Located at 1225 Ramsey St, Fayetteville. Bring military orders if applicable. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

910-677-2500 · 1225 Ramsey St, Fayetteville, NC 28301 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Forsyth County Child Support Services — Free

Child support office serving Winston-Salem and Forsyth County assisting fathers with establishing paternity, setting up support orders, enforcement, and payment processing. Modification requests can be filed when income or circumstances significantly change. Staff provide guidance on the NC ePay portal for tracking and making payments. Call 336-703-2700 to schedule. Located at 741 Highland Ave, Winston-Salem. Bring photo ID and pay stubs. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

336-703-2700 · 741 Highland Ave, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Buncombe County Child Support Services — Free

Local child support office serving Asheville and Buncombe County providing paternity establishment, support order setup and enforcement, and modification assistance. Fathers can request order reviews based on income changes or unemployment. Staff guide fathers through the NC ePay portal for making and tracking payments. Call 828-250-5500 to schedule. Located at 40 Coxe Ave, Asheville. Bring photo ID and recent pay stubs. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

828-250-5500 · 40 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. New Hanover County Child Support Services — Free

Child support enforcement office for Wilmington and New Hanover County helping fathers establish paternity, locate parents, establish new support orders, and enforce existing ones. Modification requests are accepted when income or family circumstances change significantly. Online payment setup and case tracking available through NC ePay. Call 910-798-3400 to schedule. Located at 1650 Greenfield St, Wilmington. Bring photo ID. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

910-798-3400 · 1650 Greenfield St, Wilmington, NC 28401 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

10. Gaston County Child Support Office — Free

County child support office serving Gastonia and Gaston County assisting fathers with paternity establishment, support order setup, modifications, and enforcement. Staff help with income withholding setup and connect fathers to the NC ePay online payment system. Modification requests are available when income changes significantly. Call 704-862-7500 to schedule. Located at 330 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Way, Gastonia. Bring photo ID and recent pay stubs. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

704-862-7500 · 330 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Way, Gastonia, NC 28052 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

11. Onslow County Child Support Services — Free

Child support office near Camp Lejeune serving military and civilian families in Jacksonville and Onslow County with paternity establishment and support order services. Staff are familiar with military pay structures and deployment-related order modifications under the SCRA. Bring military orders if applicable. Call 910-989-2200 to schedule. Located at 612 College St, Jacksonville. Payment tracking available via NC ePay. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

910-989-2200 · 612 College St, Jacksonville, NC 28540 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

12. Pitt County Child Support Services — Free

Local child support office serving Greenville and Pitt County providing paternity establishment, order enforcement, and modification processing for eastern NC fathers. Fathers can request reviews when income changes significantly. Staff assist with income withholding setup and the NC ePay online payment portal. Call 252-902-2200 to schedule. Located at 1717 W 5th St, Greenville. Bring photo ID and recent pay stubs to your appointment. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

252-902-2200 · 1717 W 5th St, Greenville, NC 27834 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

13. Cabarrus County Child Support Office — Free

County child support enforcement office serving Concord and Cabarrus County with paternity establishment, support order setup, enforcement, and payment collection services. Fathers can request modifications when income or circumstances change. Staff provide guidance on online payment options through NC ePay. Call 704-920-1400 to schedule. Located at 1303 S Cannon Blvd, Kannapolis. Bring photo ID and pay stubs to your appointment. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

704-920-1400 · 1303 S Cannon Blvd, Kannapolis, NC 28083 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

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.