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 Ohio

15 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 Ohio

Ohio has dedicated Domestic Relations Courts and Juvenile Courts (which handle paternity and unmarried-parent custody) in most counties. The Office of Child Support operates under JFS. Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Akron anchor the major metros. The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Southeastern Ohio Legal Services, Legal Aid of Western Ohio, and Community Legal Aid cover the state.

15 Resources

1. Ohio Department of Job and Family Services - Office of Child Support — Free

State-level agency overseeing Ohio's child support program statewide, providing policy guidance, enforcement tools, and the online child support payment portal. Connects residents to their county Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) for establishing orders, modifying support, and arranging payments. Call 800-686-1556 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm or visit jfs.ohio.gov/child-support for forms and guidance.

800-686-1556 · 30 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Franklin County CSEA (Columbus) — Free

Serves Franklin County residents with child support establishment, modification, and enforcement services. One of Ohio's largest county CSEAs covering the Columbus metro area. Call 614-525-3275 Mon-Fri 7:30am-5pm or visit jfs.franklincountyohio.gov. Bring Social Security numbers, proof of income, and paternity documents. Walk-ins welcome during business hours; appointments speed up the process.

614-525-3275 · 80 E Fulton St, Columbus, OH 43215 · Mon-Fri 7:30am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Cuyahoga County CSEA (Cleveland) — Free

Provides child support services for Cuyahoga County including establishing paternity, creating court orders, modifying existing support amounts, and enforcing support orders for the greater Cleveland area. Call 216-443-5100 Mon-Fri 7:30am-4:30pm. Bring Social Security numbers, proof of income, and court documents. Located at 1640 Superior Ave, Cleveland. Interpreter services available on request.

216-443-5100 · 1640 Superior Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114 · Mon-Fri 7:30am-4:30pm

4. Hamilton County CSEA (Cincinnati) — Free

Serves Hamilton County families with child support establishment, modification, collection, and enforcement for the Cincinnati metropolitan area. Call 513-946-1000 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm or visit hcjfs.org. Bring Social Security numbers, birth certificates, proof of income, and any existing court orders. Both parents can initiate services. Interpreter and accessibility services available at the office.

513-946-1000 · 222 E Central Pkwy, Cincinnati, OH 45202 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

5. Summit County CSEA (Akron) — Free

Provides child support services for Summit County including locating non-custodial parents, establishing paternity, creating support orders, and enforcing court-ordered child support in the Akron area. Call 330-643-2765 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm. Visit 264 S Arlington St, Akron. Bring Social Security numbers, proof of income, birth certificates, and prior court orders to your appointment.

330-643-2765 · 264 S Arlington St, Akron, OH 44306 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm

6. Montgomery County CSEA (Dayton) — Free

Handles child support enforcement, establishment, and modification for Montgomery County and the Dayton metropolitan area. Both parents can request services for establishing paternity, setting support orders, or modifying existing amounts. Call 937-225-4600 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm. Bring Social Security numbers, proof of income, birth certificates, and any existing court orders when you visit the office.

937-225-4600 · 1111 S Edwin C Moses Blvd, Dayton, OH 45422 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm

7. Lucas County CSEA (Toledo) — Free

Provides child support services for Lucas County residents including paternity establishment, order creation, payment processing, modification requests, and enforcement for the Toledo area. Call 419-213-8400 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm. Visit 3737 W Sylvania Ave, Toledo. Bring Social Security numbers, birth certificates, proof of income, and any prior court orders to initiate or update services.

419-213-8400 · 3737 W Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH 43623 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm

8. Ohio Child Support Payment Central — Free

Ohio's centralized payment processing center where all child support payments are sent and distributed to custodial parents. Provides online payment options via debit card or electronic check, plus payment history tracking accessible at oh.smartchildsupport.com. Call 800-860-2555 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm for payment questions. Do not send payments directly to the custodial parent once an order is active.

800-860-2555 · P.O. Box 182372, Columbus, OH 43218 · Online 24/7; phone Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Stark County CSEA (Canton) — Free

Provides child support establishment, enforcement, and modification services for Stark County families in the Canton metropolitan area. Call 330-451-8621 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm. Located at 222 3rd St SE, Canton. Bring Social Security numbers, birth certificates, proof of income, and any prior court orders. Both parents can request services to establish or modify a support order through this office.

330-451-8621 · 222 3rd St SE, Canton, OH 44702 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm

10. Butler County CSEA (Hamilton) — Free

Serves Butler County families with child support establishment, modification, and enforcement services for the Hamilton and Middletown area. Call 513-887-5530 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm or visit butlercountyohio.org. Located at 300 N Fair Ave, Hamilton. Bring Social Security numbers, birth certificates, proof of income, and any prior court orders when visiting to establish, modify, or enforce a child support order.

513-887-5530 · 300 N Fair Ave, Hamilton, OH 45011 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

11. Lorain County CSEA (Elyria) — Free

Provides child support services for Lorain County residents including paternity establishment, court order creation, payment processing, and enforcement for the Elyria area. Call 440-329-5130 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm or visit loraincounty.com/csea. Bring Social Security numbers, birth certificates, proof of income, and any prior court orders. Located at 42485 N Ridge Rd, Elyria, OH 44035.

440-329-5130 · 42485 N Ridge Rd, Elyria, OH 44035 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

12. Trumbull County CSEA (Warren) — Free

Provides child support establishment, enforcement, and collection services for families in the Warren and Trumbull County area. Call 330-675-2550 Mon-Fri 8am-4pm. Located at 280 N Park Ave, Warren, OH 44481. Bring Social Security numbers, birth certificates, proof of income, and any prior court orders. Both parents can initiate services to establish or modify support through this office.

330-675-2550 · 280 N Park Ave, Warren, OH 44481 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm

13. Clermont County CSEA (Batavia) — Free

Serves Clermont County families east of Cincinnati with child support establishment, modification, and enforcement services. Call 513-732-7111 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm or visit clermontcountyohio.gov. Located at 2400 Clermont Center Dr, Batavia, OH 45103. Bring Social Security numbers, birth certificates, proof of income, and any existing court orders. Both parents can request services through this office.

513-732-7111 · 2400 Clermont Center Dr, Batavia, OH 45103 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

14. Delaware County CSEA (Delaware) — Free

Provides child support establishment, modification, and enforcement services for families in Delaware County north of Columbus. Call 740-833-2370 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm or visit co.delaware.oh.us. Located at 140 N Sandusky St, Delaware, OH 43015. Bring Social Security numbers, birth certificates, proof of income, and any prior court orders when visiting to initiate or update support services.

740-833-2370 · 140 N Sandusky St, Delaware, OH 43015 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

15. Warren County CSEA (Lebanon) — Free

Handles child support establishment, enforcement, and collection services for Warren County families located between Cincinnati and Dayton. Call 513-695-1580 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm. Located at 416 S East St, Lebanon, OH 45036. Bring Social Security numbers, birth certificates, proof of income, and any existing court orders. Both parents may request services to establish, modify, or enforce support orders.

513-695-1580 · 416 S East St, Lebanon, OH 45036 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm

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.