Am I eligible for Office of Child Support Services?

You qualify if you: Are a parent or guardian of a child under 21, and Are the child’s primary caregiver Not sure? Apply anyway — OCSS will review your situation.

What do I need in order to apply to Office of Child Support Services?

Bring the following documents to your interview Completed application Child’s birth certificate A recent photo of the other parent is helpful but not required

Office of Child Support Services

Q: How do I Apply to Office of Child Support Services?

Complete the New York State Online Enrollment form : Connect to your child support account if you already have one, or create one to get started A Child Support representative will contact you with next steps Download and complete the enrollment form . Mail to: Office of Child Support Services PO Box 830 Canal Street Station New York, NY 10013 Or email it to dcse.cseweb@dfa.state.ny.us Submit a child support petition directly to Family Court: Download and complete the court petition File the petition at the Family Court in your borough

How it works

OCSS helps parents and guardians establish and collect child support, so children get the financial and medical support they need.

Your child can receive child support until age 21, even if the other parent isn’t involved.

Are you a custodial parent? Once you have a child support order from Family Court, OCSS collects and sends payments to you.

Are you a noncustodial parent? OCSS provides help finding work or reducing your child support debt.

What we do

Establish child support orders. We can help you get a court order even if the other parent can’t currently afford to pay.

Collect child support. Most child support payments come from your paycheck automatically, but you can also pay anytime through the free ACCESS HRA app (no fees and easier than the NYS Child Support website).

Help for noncustodial parents. Get connected with employment or debt relief programs if you’re behind on child support payments.

Help with related issues. OCSS doesn’t handle custody or visitation but can refer you to mediation services and other help.

If you’re receiving cash assistance

Missing appointments or ignoring child support notices can affect your benefits.

Your Cash Assistance can be reduced by 25%
You could lose Medicaid coverage
You may lose eligibility for some rental assistance programs

Don’t ignore official notices. Call the number on your appointment notice if you need to reschedule.

Modify your child support order

Circumstances changed? Two ways to request a modification if your income, employment, or custody changes:

Option 1: Family Court

Request through the court directly.

Option 2: MOTS (Modifying Orders through Stipulation)

Uses the same guidelines as Family Court
Both parents must agree
Usually takes one court hearing to finalize

Eligibility requirements

You qualify if you:

Are a parent or guardian of a child under 21, and
Are the child’s primary caregiver

Not sure? Apply anyway — OCSS will review your situation.

Immigration status requirements

OCSS doesn’t ask about immigration status.

Required documents

Bring the following documents to your interview

Completed application
Child’s birth certificate
A recent photo of the other parent is helpful but not required

How to apply

Complete the New York State Online Enrollment form:

Connect to your child support account if you already have one, or create one to get started
A Child Support representative will contact you with next steps

Apply online

Download and complete the enrollment form.

Mail to:
Office of Child Support Services
PO Box 830
Canal Street Station
New York, NY 10013

Or email it to [email protected]

Download the form

Submit a child support petition directly to Family Court:

Download and complete the court petition
File the petition at the Family Court in your borough

Find Family Court locations

Get help

Visit the Child Support Services website to learn more about available services.

Visit the Family Court website for information about custody and visitation.

Email Child Support Services at [email protected] to request a customer service phone appointment or get an email response.

Write “Requesting a Customer Service Appointment” in the subject line of your email. Include your name, Child Support case number, a description of your concern, phone number, and the best time to reach you.

Call the NYS Child Support Helpline at 888-208-4485 (or 866-875-9975 if you have trouble hearing) for more information. Automated information is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Visit the OCSS Customer Service Walk-in Center
151 West Broadway, 4th Floor
(between Worth and Thomas Streets)
New York, NY 10013
Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (except holidays)

Visit a Family Court office in your borough.

Come back to it later.
We can send you a link to this page to help you get back to it when you’re ready.

Last Updated May 5, 2026

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