Arkansas law requires all child support payments to flow through the Arkansas Child Support Clearinghouse, also known as the State Disbursement Unit (SDU), which processes payments within 2 business days of receipt according to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Parents who need to know how to pay child support in Arkansas have 5 authorized payment methods: employer wage withholding (mandatory for most orders), online payments through the MyCase portal, mail payments via check or money order, MoneyGram transfers at retail locations, and credit card or eCheck transactions. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-14-801, all Title IV-D cases and cases with wage withholding must route payments through the Clearinghouse, making direct payments between parents legally problematic for enforcement purposes.
Key Facts: Arkansas Child Support Payments
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| State Disbursement Unit | Arkansas Child Support Clearinghouse |
| Processing Time | 2 business days after receipt |
| Primary Payment Method | Wage withholding (mandatory for most orders) |
| Online Portal | OCSE MyCase (ark.org/mycase) |
| Payment Address | P.O. Box 8124, Little Rock, AR 72203 |
| Customer Service Phone | 1-866-428-8382 (toll-free) |
| Direct Deposit Setup Time | 5 business days |
| ReliaCard Processing | Up to 10 business days for new cards |
| Receiving Options | Direct deposit or U.S. Bank ReliaCard |
| Filing Fee (OCSE) | $80 initiation fee |
| Filing Fee (Court) | $165 circuit court filing fee |
| Interest on Arrears | 10% per year |
Understanding the Arkansas Child Support Clearinghouse
The Arkansas Child Support Clearinghouse serves as the centralized collection and disbursement unit for all child support payments in the state, processing an average of 2 business days from receipt to disbursement according to Arkansas OCSE. Federal law mandates that every state operate a State Disbursement Unit, and Arkansas fulfills this requirement through the Clearinghouse, which is administered by the Department of Finance and Administration, Revenue Division, Office of Child Support Enforcement. The Clearinghouse is not open to the public, meaning parents cannot make payments or pick up funds in person at this location.
Parents navigating how to pay child support in Arkansas must understand that the Clearinghouse exists for both IV-D cases (where OCSE provides enforcement services) and non-IV-D cases (where OCSE only processes payments). Under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-14-218, all support orders must include a provision for immediate implementation of income withholding unless the court finds good cause or the parties agree to an alternative arrangement in writing. This federal-state partnership ensures accurate record-keeping, timely distribution, and proper crediting of all payments regardless of which parent initiates enforcement.
The Clearinghouse maintains separate mailing addresses for different payment types. Regular child support payments go to P.O. Box 8124, Little Rock, AR 72203, while fee payments must be sent to P.O. Box 8126, Little Rock, AR 72203. Sending payments to the wrong address can delay processing and cause confusion in payment records. Parents should always include their case number and the custodial party's name on every payment to ensure proper crediting.
Wage Withholding: The Primary Payment Method
Wage withholding through employer income deduction is the primary and preferred method for paying child support in Arkansas, with Ark. Code Ann. § 9-14-219 establishing that child support withholding takes priority over any other legal process against the same income except prior IRS tax levies. Under Arkansas law, employers must implement withholding no later than the first pay period that occurs after 14 days following the date the Income Withholding Order (IWO) was mailed. The OCSE sends IWOs to employers via regular mail or through the MyWorkers electronic system at ark.org/myworkers.
The wage withholding system benefits both parents by ensuring consistent, automatic payments without requiring manual action each pay period. For paying parents, this eliminates the risk of forgetting payments or falling behind. For receiving parents, it provides reliable income timing. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-14-226, Arkansas law specifically protects noncustodial parents from employment termination due to wage withholding, meaning employers cannot fire workers solely because of a child support income withholding order.
Wage withholding terminates by operation of law when certain conditions are met under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-14-240. However, withholding continues if any current support obligation exists or if arrears remain unpaid. When a child reaches the termination age with no arrears, the paying parent may terminate withholding without petitioning the court by providing written notice to the employer, the custodial parent, OCSE, the Clearinghouse, and the court clerk at least 30 days before the support duty ends.
OCSE MyCase: The Online Child Support Payment Portal
The OCSE MyCase portal at ark.org/mycase provides 24-hour access for Arkansas parents to make child support payments online, check case status, view payment history, and communicate securely with OCSE staff. The child support payment portal accepts credit cards and eChecks, allowing parents to make one-time payments or set up recurring payment schedules. Registration is free and requires basic identifying information including your case number, which you can obtain by contacting the Clearinghouse at 1-866-428-8382.
Parents using the child support payment portal can also sign up for electronic notifications when payments are received on their case. This feature is particularly valuable for custodial parents who want real-time updates on payment status rather than waiting for funds to appear in their account. The portal eliminates the uncertainty of mail delivery times and provides instant confirmation of payment submission.
For registration assistance or technical problems with the MyCase portal, parents can contact Arkansas Child Support Clearinghouse customer service at (501) 683-7911 in the Little Rock area or 1-866-428-8382 for all other locations during regular business hours. The portal interface allows users to update contact information, view case documents, and track the complete history of payments on their account.
Mail Payments: Check and Money Order Options
Parents who prefer traditional payment methods can mail checks, money orders, or certified checks to the Arkansas Child Support Clearinghouse at P.O. Box 8124, Little Rock, AR 72203 according to Arkansas DFA. Cash payments are strictly prohibited and will not be processed. Each payment must include the case number and the custodial party's name to ensure proper crediting to the correct account.
Fee payments require a separate mailing address: P.O. Box 8126, Little Rock, AR 72203. When sending fee payments, parents should write "fees" on the payment memo along with the case number to distinguish it from regular support payments. Mixing payment types or sending to the wrong address causes processing delays and may result in payments being applied incorrectly.
Mail payments typically take longer to process than electronic methods due to postal delivery time and manual processing requirements. Parents who need immediate confirmation of payment should consider using the MyCase portal or certified mail with return receipt to document when payments were sent and received.
MoneyGram: Retail Location Payments
MoneyGram provides an alternative child support payment method for parents who prefer in-person transactions at retail locations. Available at thousands of locations including CVS/pharmacy, Walmart, and other retailers, MoneyGram allows parents to make cash payments that are then electronically transferred to the Clearinghouse. Parents can find the nearest MoneyGram location by visiting moneygram.com and clicking the Find a Location tab, or complete payments online through the MoneyGram website.
This option is particularly useful for parents who do not have bank accounts, cannot use credit cards, or prefer the immediacy of cash transactions. MoneyGram fees vary by location and payment amount, so parents should inquire about costs before completing transactions. Payments made through MoneyGram are typically processed faster than mailed checks but may not be as immediate as direct online payments through MyCase.
Direct Deposit for Receiving Parents
Custodial parents in Arkansas have two electronic options for receiving child support payments: direct deposit to a bank account or the U.S. Bank ReliaCard prepaid debit card. Direct deposit requires only an open checking or savings account, and once enrolled, payments typically appear within 2 business days after the Clearinghouse receives and processes them according to Arkansas OCSE.
To set up child support direct deposit, parents must submit an Electronic Deposit Application to OCSE. The enrollment process takes approximately 5 business days for new accounts or when switching between bank accounts. All changes to direct deposit information must be made in writing using the Electronic Deposit Enrollment Form, with instructions for submission included on the form. This security measure prevents unauthorized changes to payment destinations.
Parents who choose the state disbursement unit payment method via direct deposit benefit from faster access to funds compared to paper checks and eliminate the risk of lost or stolen mail. The direct deposit option also provides a clear bank record of all payments received, which can be valuable for record-keeping and tax purposes.
U.S. Bank ReliaCard: Prepaid Debit Card Option
The U.S. Bank ReliaCard serves as the alternative to direct deposit for custodial parents who do not have traditional bank accounts or prefer prepaid card access. This prepaid debit card requires no bank account, no credit check, and no application fee. Payments are loaded directly onto the card, which functions like a standard debit card for purchases and cash withdrawals according to Arkansas DFA.
New ReliaCard enrollment takes up to 10 business days to complete, after which funds become available within 2 business days of disbursement from OCSE. The card offers several free services including in-store purchases, teller cash withdrawals, in-network ATM withdrawals, customer service access, and monthly account maintenance. Parents can switch between direct deposit and the ReliaCard at any time by submitting a new enrollment form.
The ReliaCard is particularly valuable for parents in transition who may be changing bank accounts, those without stable banking relationships, or parents who prefer the separation of child support funds from other household finances. The card can be used anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.
Enforcement Actions for Non-Payment
Arkansas employs aggressive enforcement measures against parents who fail to pay child support, with consequences escalating based on the amount owed and duration of non-payment according to Arkansas OCSE. License suspension can occur when a parent owes past-due support equal to or greater than 3 times the monthly support obligation, or approximately 3 months of non-payment. This suspension affects driver's licenses, commercial licenses, motorcycle licenses, permanent license plates, recreational licenses (hunting and fishing), and occupational, professional, and business licenses.
Federal law requires OCSE to certify parents for passport denial when arrears reach $2,500 or more. Parents cannot renew or obtain new passports until the debt is satisfied or payment arrangements are made. Additionally, past-due child support accrues interest at a rate of 10% per year in Arkansas, significantly increasing the total amount owed over time.
Criminal prosecution becomes possible when a parent falls $10,000 or more behind on child support and is delinquent for more than 12 months. Under Arkansas law, non-support is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in county jail and fines up to $2,500. Parents who flee Arkansas to avoid child support obligations face felony charges, fines up to $10,000, and potential imprisonment for up to 6 years. OCSE may also seize funds from bank accounts and report delinquencies to credit bureaus, damaging the non-paying parent's credit rating.
Modifying Child Support Orders
Arkansas allows child support modification when a substantial change in circumstances occurs, with a change in gross income of 20% or more constituting grounds for modification under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-14-107 according to FindLaw. Either parent can request a review at least every 3 years, or sooner if significant income changes occur. Common reasons for modification include job loss, significant raises, changes in custody arrangements, or changes in a parent's ability to provide health insurance.
To modify a child support order, parents must file a motion with the court that issued the original order and provide supporting evidence such as pay stubs, tax returns, or medical bills. Parents with OCSE cases can request reviews in writing to their assigned child support office. Important warning: no change in support amount is valid without a court order. Parents who unilaterally reduce payments based on changed circumstances remain responsible for the original amount until a modification order is entered.
The filing fee for modification through circuit court is $165 as of March 2026, while modifications through OCSE cost $80 for initiation with additional fees of $100-$250 depending on resolution method. Parents should verify current fees with their local circuit clerk or OCSE office, as fees may vary by county.
When Child Support Ends in Arkansas
Child support terminates automatically by operation of law when a child turns 18 under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-14-237, and no court filing is required. However, Arkansas extends child support past age 18 if the child is still enrolled in and attending high school at the time of the 18th birthday. In that case, support continues until the earlier of high school graduation or the end of the school year after the child turns 19.
When support ends, the paying parent must provide written notification within 10 days to the payee parent, physical custodian, court clerk, employer (if wage withholding is active), and OCSE if applicable. The notification must include a copy of the most recent child support order and state the name and age of each child for whom the obligation has ceased. This notification requirement applies even though termination is automatic under the statute.
Importantly, income withholding does not terminate if any child support arrearage exists. Wage withholding continues until all past-due amounts are satisfied, regardless of whether current support obligations have ended. Parents with multiple children should carefully track when each child ages out of support, as the total obligation decreases incrementally rather than all at once.