Alabama Child Support

How to Apply for Child Support in Alabama?

Any custodial parent, legal guardian, alleged father or non-custodial parent can apply for child support services in Alabama by making an appointment with a County Department of Human Resources office within the state. Download Forms.

How Does Alabama Child Support Calculator Works?

Alabama uses the monthly gross income of the non-custodial parent, the monthly cost of daycare, the monthly cost of health insurance and any existing support or alimony totals paid for previous relationships when calculating child support totals.

How to Claim and Pay Child Support?

Most support payments in Alabama are made through automatic withdrawal and received via direct deposit.

Child Support Performance Stats for the State

Alabama’s Department of Human Resources is responsible for measuring the performance of the state's child support program.

Statistics for Regular On-Time Payments Collection

Other Incentive Performance Measures

Performance Measures 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Statewide Paternity Establishment (%) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
IV-D Paternity Establishment (%) 91.79 92.28 94.39 95.19 96.7
Support Order Establishment (%) 82.86 84.13 85.13 86.61 87.55
Cost-Effectiveness ($) 4.83 5.31 4.85 5.17 6.54

Total Number of Children in the Child Support Program

Total Distributed Collections and Total Administrative Expenditures ($ Millions)

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Total Distributed Collections ($) 290.57 292.85 305.98 320.48 325.01
Total Distributed to Families ($) 276.35 280.48 294.02 309.15 314.1
Total Administrative Expenditures ($) 66.34 60.72 69.48 68.03 54.62

Average Collections per Case with Collections

Can child support be paid off early or stopped?

Yes, you may make payments ahead of time if you wish to pay off your obligation early. To stop the payments you must petition for a review for an adjustment of an order if you feel that there is a valid reason.

What Will Happen if You fall Behind Child Support Payment?

Enforcement actions will be taken to collect any support that is owed.

Can you get alimony and child support at the same time?

Yes, you can receive both alimony and child support payments in Alabama without any conflict.

Child Support and Taxes

AL Child support generally has no impact on either parent's taxes.

Can the support payments be claimed on taxes in Alabama?

No, you cannot claim support payments on taxes in Alabama.

Can child support be taken pre-tax?

No, you cannot pay child support pre-tax in Alabama.

Can the support Take my federal tax return?

Yes, a parent who skips support payments may have federal and state tax refunds intercepted.

Paternity Establishment

How do you establish paternity?

Paternity in Alabama can be established once a mother and father complete an Acknowledgment of Paternity or through a court order. It can be established until a child turns 18

What rights does a father have if not on birth certificate?

Rights do not begin until paternity has been established.

Can a mother refuse me paternity test?

A court can order paternity testing if deemed necessary.

How to establish paternity if the father is deceased?

The DNA of a family member is often acceptable.

Can a father get a paternity test without the mother?

Only as long as consent is given by the child's primary legal guardian.

Support Order Establishment

Support orders can be established once paternity has been legally established.

State Child Support orders

Support orders in Alabama will stay in place until a child reaches the legal age of emancipation in the state unless a parent makes a request for an adjustment.

Can child support be modified?

Yes, support orders in Alabama can be modified under certain circumstances once every 36 months.

While not legally necessary, seeking a lawyer's help is highly recommended.

How do I file for a modification of child support?

A written request for a review stating why a parent believes a change should occur must be submitted to the Alabama Department of Human Resources.

Can the support order be appealed?

Yes, a court hearing will be arranged if a request for an adjustment is found to be justified..

Child Support Enforcement

How long does the child support enforcement take?

While enforcement is typically swift, actual times will depend on whether or not a parent can be easily located.

What to do when child support is not paid?

You should contact the child support worker who has been assigned to you. 

What Happens if I’m not paying Child support?

You will face income withholding, tax interception, passport denial, license suspensions, liens, and federal prosecution. Funds that are overdue by two years or that amount to at least $10,000 can result in having a criminal record in Alabama.

Can the support debt be forgiven?

An interest-rebate law in Alabama allows for forgiveness of interest owed to the state and the custodial parent when support debts become current and are paid consistently for at least 12 months.

Support Order Termination

How and when do I stop a child support order?

You must submit a request for an adjustment based on a qualifying circumstance.

You can stop paying the support when a child reaches the legal age of emancipation in Alabama, when a child becomes legally emancipated, when the paying parent gains full custody or when the paying parent loses parental rights.

When Can I Apply for Child Support Termination?

Only when a child becomes legally emancipated in some way or a custody situation changes.

Can the custodial parent close a support case?

While a custodial parent can request for a case to be closed, any past-due support that was owed while the custodial parent was on welfare will still be owed to the welfare agency.

What is the legal age to stop paying child support?

19 years old or when the child graduates from high school.

Alabama Hearing Rights

Both parents have hearing rights when orders are first established and when adjustments are wanted.

Alabama Child Support Guidelines

Alabama has specific guidelines in place regarding what categories should be covered in a support order.

Child Support Coverage in Alabama

What is child support meant to cover?

Food, clothing, shelter, medical care and more.

Does the Support Cover Medical Care Expenses?

Yes, medical expenses and insurance coverage are taken into consideration when creating an order.

What if Both Parents are working, will Child Support Cover child care services?

Yes, childcare costs are typically included in a support order.

Are Car Maintenance Costs Covered by the Support?

Yes, a non-custodial parent can be asked to cover at least a percentage of transportation costs.

What is Considered Basic Entertainment for the Support Order?

Access to television shows, movies, the Internet and more.

Are College expenses Covered by Child Support in Alabama?

No, college expenses are not covered as long as there is no prior agreement.

Are Extracurricular Activities covered by Support?

Yes, fees for extracurricular activities are typically covered through support.

Are School Related Costs Covered by the Support?

Yes, fees for school-related activities, field trips and more are typically covered.

Alabama Child Support Offices

Institution name Physical address Email address Phone number Website
Alabama Department of Human Resources, Child Support Enforcement Division Montgomery, Alabama 36130-4000 csed@dhr.alabama.gov 334 242-9300 http://dhr.alabama.gov/services/Child_Support_Services/Child_Support_Enforcement.aspx

County Child Support Offices in AL

County name Institution name Physical address Email address Phone number Website
Autauga County Autauga County, AL Prattville Child Support and Enforcement Office 203 North Court Street, Prattville , AL 36067 N/A 1(334) 358-5000 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Autauga
Baldwin County Baldwin County, AL Robertsdale Child Support and Enforcement Office 22259 Palmer Street, Robertsdale, AL 36567 N/A 1(251) 945-2400 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Baldwin
Barbour County Barbour County, AL Clayton Child Support and Enforcement Office 276 Hwy. 239 South, Clayton , AL 36016 N/A 1(334) 775-2000 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Barbour
Bibb County Bibb County, AL Centreville Child Support and Enforcement Office 84 Library Street, Centreville , AL 35042 N/A 1(205) 926-2900 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Bibb
Blount County Blount County, AL Oneonta Child Support and Enforcement Office 415 5th Avenue, East, Oneonta , AL 35121 N/A 1(205) 274-5200 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Blount
Bullock County Bullock County, AL UnionSprings Child Support and Enforcement Office 201 N Powell St., Union Springs, AL 36089 N/A 1(334) 738-0111 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Bullock
Butler County Butler County, AL Greenville Child Support and Enforcement Office 109 Caldwell St., Greenville , AL 36037 N/A 1(334) 382-4400 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Butler
Calhoun County Calhoun County, AL Anniston Child Support and Enforcement Office 415 West 11th St., Anniston , AL 36202 N/A 1(256) 240-2050 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Calhoun
Chambers County Chambers County, AL LaFayette Child Support and Enforcement Office 410 9th Ave. SW, LaFayette, AL 36862 N/A 1(334) 864-4000 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Chambers
Cherokee County Cherokee County, AL Centre Child Support and Enforcement Office 202 Dean Buttram Sr. Avenue, Centre , AL 35960 N/A 1(256) 927-1440 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Cherokee
Chilton County Chilton County, AL Clanton Child Support and Enforcement Office 500 Airport Road, Clanton , AL 35046 N/A 1(205) 280-2000 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Chilton
Choctaw County Choctaw County, AL Butler Child Support and Enforcement Office 1003 Mulberry Avenue, Butler , AL 36904 N/A 1(205) 459-9701 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Choctaw
Clarke County Clarke County, AL Grove Hill Child Support and Enforcement Office 22609 Hwy 84, Grove Hill , AL 36451 N/A 1(251) 275-7001 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Clarke
Clay County Clay County, AL Lineville Child Support and Enforcement Office 86930 Highwy 9, Lineville , AL 36266 N/A 1(256) 396-6800 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Clay
Cleburne County Cleburne County, AL Heflin Child Support and Enforcement Office 732 Oxford Street, Heflin , AL 36264 N/A 1(256) 463-1700 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Cleburne
Coffee County Coffee County, AL Enterprise Child Support and Enforcement Office 3881 Salem Road, Enterprise , AL 36330 N/A 1(334) 348-2000 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Coffee
Colbert County Colbert County, AL Muscle Shoals Child Support and Enforcement Office 3105 George Wallace Blvd., Muscle Shoals , AL 35661 N/A 1(256) 314-4900 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Colbert
Conecuh County Conecuh County, AL Evergreen Child Support and Enforcement Office 856 Liberty Hill Drive, Evergreen , AL 36401 N/A 1(251) 578-3900 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Conecuh
Coosa County Coosa County, AL Rockford Child Support and Enforcement Office 300 South Jackson, Rockford , AL 35136 N/A 1(256) 377-2000 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Coosa
Covington County Covington County, AL Andalusia Child Support and Enforcement Office 1515 Martin Luther King Jr Expressway, Andalusia , AL 36420 N/A 1(334) 427-7900 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Covington
Crenshaw County Crenshaw County, AL Luverne Child Support and Enforcement Office 25 Hospital Drive, Luverne , AL 36049-7341 N/A 1(334) 335-7000 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Crenshaw
Cullman County Cullman County, AL Cullman Child Support and Enforcement Office 1220 St. Joseph Street NW, Cullman , AL 35055 N/A 1(256) 737-5300 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Cullman
Dale County Dale County, AL Ozark Child Support and Enforcement Office 513 Carroll Avenue, Ozark , AL 36360 N/A 1(334) 445-4900 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Dale
Dallas County Dallas County, AL Selma Child Support and Enforcement Office 200 Samuel O. Mosley Drive, Selma , AL 36702 N/A 1(334) 876-4100 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Dallas
DeKalb County DeKalb County, AL Fort Payne Child Support and Enforcement Office 2301 Briarwood Ave South, Fort Payne , AL 35967 N/A 1(256) 844-2700 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=DeKalb
Elmore County Elmore County, AL Wetumpka Child Support and Enforcement Office 8961 U.S. Highway 231, Wetumpka , AL 36092 N/A 1(334) 514-3200 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Elmore
Escambia County Escambia County, AL Brewton Child Support and Enforcement Office 326 Evergreen Avenue, Brewton , AL 36426 N/A 1(251) 809-2000 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Escambia
Etowah County Etowah County, AL Gadsden Child Support and Enforcement Office 210 Hoke Street, Gadsden , AL 35903 N/A 1(256) 549-4100 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Etowah
Fayette County Fayette County, AL Fayette Child Support and Enforcement Office 410 16'th Street NE, Fayette , AL 35555 N/A 1(205) 932-1665 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Fayette
Franklin County Franklin County, AL Russellville Child Support and Enforcement Office 737 Highway 48, Russellville , AL 35653 N/A 1(256) 331-5900 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Franklin
Geneva County Geneva County, AL Geneva Child Support and Enforcement Office 1831 West Magnolia Ave., Geneva , AL 36340 N/A 1(334) 684-5801 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Geneva
Greene County Greene County, AL Eutaw Child Support and Enforcement Office 36 Park Street, Eutaw , AL 35462 N/A 1(205) 372-5000 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Greene
Hale County Hale County, AL Greensboro Child Support and Enforcement Office 906 Wheelan Street, Greensboro , AL 36744 N/A 1(334) 624-2583 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Hale
Henry County Henry County, AL Abbeville Child Support and Enforcement Office 507 Kirkland Street, Abbeville , AL 36310 N/A 1(334) 585-4100 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Henry
Houston County Houston County, AL Dothan Child Support and Enforcement Office 1605 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan , AL 36301 N/A 1(334) 677-0400 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Houston
Jackson County Jackson County, AL Scottsboro Child Support and Enforcement Office 205 Liberty Lane, Scottsboro , AL 35769 N/A 1(256) 575-6000 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Jackson
Jefferson County Jefferson County, AL Birmingham Child Support and Enforcement Office 2001 12th Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35234 N/A 1(205) 423-4460 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Jefferson
Lamar County Lamar County, AL Vernon Child Support and Enforcement Office 250 Springfield Road, Vernon, AL 35592 N/A 1(205) 695-5000 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Lamar
Lauderdale County Lauderdale County, AL Florence Child Support and Enforcement Office 424 Veterans Drive, Florence, AL 35630 N/A 1(256) 765-4000, Option 3 OR 256-765-4059 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Lauderdale
Lawrence County Lawrence County, AL Moulton Child Support and Enforcement Office 13280 AL Highway 157, Moulton, AL 35650 N/A 1(256) 905-3100 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Lawrence
Lee County Lee County, AL Opelika Child Support and Enforcement Office 1715 Corporate Drive, Opelika, AL 36801 N/A 1(334) 737-7778 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Lee
Limestone County Limestone County, AL Athens Child Support and Enforcement Office 1007 West Market Street, Athens, AL 35612 N/A 1(256) 216-6380 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Limestone
Lowndes County Lowndes County, AL Hayneville Child Support and Enforcement Office 382 State Highway 97 South, Hayneville, AL 36040 N/A 1(334) 548-3800 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Lowndes
Macon County Macon County, AL Tuskegee Child Support and Enforcement Office 404 North Main Street, Tuskegee, AL 36083 N/A 1(334) 725-2100 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Macon
Madison County Madison County, AL Huntsville Child Support and Enforcement Office 2206 Oakwood Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35810 N/A 1(256) 427-6100 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Madison
Marengo County Marengo County, AL Child Support and Enforcement Office 701 South Shiloh Street, Linden, AL 36748 N/A 1(334) 295-2000 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Marengo
Marion County Marion County, AL HamiltonChild Support and Enforcement Office 760 Industrial Drive, Hamilton, AL 35570 N/A 1(205) 921-6000 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Marion
Marshall County Marshall County, AL Child Support and Enforcement Office 180 Bluff Road, Guntersville, AL 35976 N/A 1(256) 571-4899 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Marshall
Mobile County Mobile County, AL Mobile Support and Enforcement Office 501 Bel Air Blvd, Mobile, AL 36606 N/A 1(251) 450-7300 (option 1) http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Mobile
Monroe County Monroe County, AL Monroeville Child Support and Enforcement Office 25 Legion Drive, Monroeville, AL 36460 N/A 1(251) 743-5900 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Monroe
Montgomery County Montgomery County, AL Montgomery Child Support and Enforcement Office 3030 Mobile Highway, Montgomery, AL 36108 N/A 1(334) 293-3206 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Montgomery
Morgan County Morgan County, AL Decatur Child Support and Enforcement Office 507 14th Street SE, Decatur, AL 35601 N/A 1(256) 301-8800 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Morgan
Perry County Perry County, AL Marion Child Support and Enforcement Office 1609 Hwy 5, South, Marion, AL 36756 N/A 1(334) 683-5500 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Perry
Pickens County Pickens County, AL Carrollton Child Support and Enforcement Office 401 Tuscaloosa Avenue, Carrollton, AL 35447 N/A 1(205) 367-1500 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Pickens
Pike County Pike County, AL Troy Child Support and Enforcement Office 717 South Three Notch Street, Troy, AL 36081 N/A 1(334) 807-6120 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Pike
Randolph County Randolph County, AL Wedowee Child Support and Enforcement Office 865 Hillcrest Avenue, Wedowee, AL 36278 N/A 1(256) 357-3000 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Randolph
Russell County Russell County, AL Phenix City Child Support and Enforcement Office 1003 25th Avenue, Phenix City, AL 36869-5349 N/A 1(334) 214-5780 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Russell
Shelby County Shelby County, AL Columbiana Child Support and Enforcement Office 987 Highway 70, Columbiana, AL 35051 N/A 1(205) 669-3000 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Shelby
St. Clair County St. Clair County, AL Pell City Child Support and Enforcement Office 213 Fox Hollow Boulevard, Pell City, AL 35125 N/A 1(205) 812-2165 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=StClair
Sumter County Sumter County, AL Child Support and Enforcement Office 108 West Main St, Livingston, AL 35470 N/A 1(205) 652-5000 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Sumter
Talladega County Talladega County, AL Talladega Child Support and Enforcement Office 1010 Ashland Hwy, Talladega, AL 35160 N/A 1(256) 761-6674 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Talladega
Tallapoosa County Tallapoosa County, AL Dadeville Child Support and Enforcement Office 353 North Broadnax Street, Dadeville, AL 36853 N/A 1(256) 825-3700 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Tallapoosa
Tuscaloosa County Tuscaloosa County, AL Tuscaloosa Child Support and Enforcement Office 3716 12th Avenue, East, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 N/A 1(205) 562-6100 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Tuscaloosa
Walker County Walker County, AL Jasper Child Support and Enforcement Office 1901 Highway 78 East, Jasper, AL 35501 N/A 1(205) 387-5434 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Walker
Washington County Washington County, AL Chatom Child Support and Enforcement Office 14921 Saint Stephens Ave, Chatom, AL 36518 N/A 1(251) 847-6100 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Washington
Wilcox County Wilcox County, AL Child Support and Enforcement Office 231 Depot Street, Camden, AL 36726 N/A 1(334) 682-1227 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Wilcox
Winston County Winston County, AL Double Springs Child Support and Enforcement Office 991 Hwy. 33 North, Double Springs, AL 35553 N/A 1(205) 489-1507 http://dhr.alabama.gov/counties/county_results.aspx?id=Winston