In New Brunswick, child support payments are processed through the Office of Support Enforcement (OSE), which collects over $55 million annually for beneficiaries across the province. Parents can pay child support through online banking, telephone banking at 1-888-762-8600, in-person at any Service New Brunswick location, or by mail to the Central Payment Unit in Fredericton. The OSE processes payments within 48 hours and offers free enforcement services, with all support orders automatically filed with the office under the Family Law Act.
Key Facts: New Brunswick Child Support Payments
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Administering Agency | Office of Support Enforcement (OSE) |
| Annual Collections | $55+ million |
| Payment Processing Time | Within 48 hours |
| Online Portal | www.gnb.ca/OSE |
| Toll-Free Infoline | 1-888-488-3767 (7 days/week) |
| Justice Triage Centre | 1-844-673-4499 |
| In-Person Locations | All Service New Brunswick offices |
| Accepted Payment Methods | Online banking, debit, Visa, MasterCard, money order, certified cheque |
| Enforcement Cost | Free to recipient parent |
| Governing Law | Family Law Act, SNB 2020, c. 23 |
Understanding How to Pay Child Support in New Brunswick Through the OSE System
New Brunswick requires all child support payments to flow through the Office of Support Enforcement unless parents formally opt out of the program. The OSE maintains accurate records of every payment, distributes funds to beneficiaries, and provides free enforcement services when payors fall behind on their obligations. Under New Brunswick Regulation 2021-19, the province adopts the Federal Child Support Guidelines for calculating support amounts, which were last updated on October 1, 2025, to reflect 2023 tax rules.
The OSE operates under the Family Support Orders Service and works alongside the Inter-jurisdictional Support Orders Designated Authority for cases involving parents in different provinces or countries. Every support order issued by New Brunswick courts is automatically registered with the OSE, creating a centralized system that tracks payments and ensures accountability for both payors and recipients.
Parents who want to pay child support in New Brunswick must first obtain their 9-digit OSE case file number or 8-digit court file number. The OSE assigns a PIN for portal access, allowing payors to manage their accounts online, view payment history, and set up recurring payments. This digital infrastructure processes thousands of transactions monthly, providing transparency and efficiency that benefits both parties in the support arrangement.
Five Methods for Making Child Support Payments in New Brunswick
New Brunswick offers five distinct methods for payors to submit their child support payments, each designed to accommodate different preferences and circumstances. The OSE accepts payments through online banking, telephone banking, in-person at Service New Brunswick locations, by mail, and through the OSE online portal at www.gnb.ca/OSE.
Online Banking Payments
Online banking represents the most convenient method to pay child support in New Brunswick for most payors. Parents can set up payments through their bank's bill payment system by searching for "Family Support Province of NB" in the payee list (use only the word "Family" in your search). Payors must enter their OSE account number, which begins with "SE," to ensure proper credit. Online banking allows for both one-time and recurring payments, making it ideal for payors who want automated compliance with their support obligations.
Telephone Banking Payments
Payors can also submit payments by calling 1-888-762-8600. This option provides the same convenience as online banking for individuals who prefer voice-based transactions or lack reliable internet access. The telephone system accepts the same account information as online banking and can process both single payments and establish recurring payment schedules.
In-Person Payments at Service New Brunswick
Any Service New Brunswick location across the province accepts child support payments during regular business hours. In-person payments can be made using cash, money orders, debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, certified personal cheques, or business cheques. This method provides immediate confirmation of payment and is particularly useful for payors who need receipts for their records or who handle transactions in cash.
Mail Payments to the Central Payment Unit
Payors can send payments directly to the OSE Central Payment Unit at PO Box 6000, Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1. The OSE accepts money orders, business cheques, and certified personal cheques made payable to the Minister of Finance. Standard uncertified personal cheques are not accepted by mail due to the risk of insufficient funds. Mail payments typically take longer to process due to postal transit times.
Employer Wage Deductions
For employers with one or two payments to make to the OSE, electronic banking via telephone or internet banking allows individual payment entry. Larger employers may establish direct remittance arrangements with the OSE. The OSE has authority under the Family Law Act to issue wage deduction notices requiring employers to withhold support amounts directly from an employee's pay.
How to Pay Child Support in New Brunswick Using the Online Portal
The OSE online portal at www.gnb.ca/OSE provides payors with 24/7 access to their accounts, payment history, and transaction management. New users must complete a self-registration process requiring their 9-digit OSE case file number or 8-digit court file number, plus the PIN provided by the OSE. Returning users enter their username and password to access their accounts.
Once logged in, payors can view their current balance, review payment history, and initiate new payments. The portal shows enforcement status, arrears amounts if applicable, and upcoming payment due dates. Payors can also update their contact information through the portal, though address changes may require contacting the Justice Triage Centre at 1-844-673-4499.
The OSE infoline at 1-888-488-3767 operates seven days a week, providing automated information about enforcement actions and payment status. This toll-free service allows payors to access account information without logging into the online portal, though certain actions still require portal access or direct contact with OSE staff.
How Recipients Receive Child Support Payments in New Brunswick
Recipients in New Brunswick can receive child support payments through direct deposit or by cheque mailed to their registered address. Direct deposit is strongly recommended by the OSE as the most efficient payment method, avoiding delays from postal services, holidays, or potential mail strikes. Payments processed by the OSE typically reach beneficiaries within 48 hours of receipt.
To set up direct deposit, beneficiaries must complete the direct deposit form available for download from the OSE website or by contacting the Justice Triage Centre at 1-844-673-4499. The completed form should be sent to the Office of Support Enforcement Central Payment Unit, PO Box 6000, Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1. Once processed, all future payments will be deposited directly into the beneficiary's bank account.
The OSE requires a valid mailing address for all beneficiaries, even those enrolled in direct deposit. If the OSE does not have a valid address on file, all outgoing payments will stop until an address is provided. Beneficiaries must keep the OSE informed of any changes in contact information to avoid payment interruptions.
Opting Out of the OSE Program
Beneficiaries may opt out of the OSE program by filing a Notice Not to File Support Order, after which they receive payments directly from the payor. This option is available when both parties agree to direct payment arrangements and trust exists between them. Beneficiaries who opt out can re-enroll in the OSE program later if circumstances change or if the payor becomes unreliable with payments.
However, accepting direct payments while enrolled in the OSE program creates serious problems. Direct payments are not recorded by the OSE, leading to inaccurate records and potentially inappropriate enforcement actions against the payor. Beneficiaries who receive a direct payment must immediately report it to the OSE in writing. Continued acceptance of direct payments without reporting may result in file closure.
Enforcement Tools When Payors Fail to Pay Child Support in New Brunswick
The OSE has extensive enforcement powers under both provincial and federal law to collect overdue child support payments. These enforcement services are provided at no cost to the recipient parent. Under the Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Assistance Act (FOAEA), the OSE can access federal payment interception programs to collect arrears.
Provincial Enforcement Measures
Provincial enforcement tools include garnishment of wages, commissions, pensions, workers' compensation benefits, long-term and short-term disability payments, and bank accounts including jointly held accounts. The OSE can report delinquent payors to credit bureaus, which negatively impacts their credit scores. Courts may also suspend driver's licenses for payors in significant arrears.
Federal Enforcement Measures
Under FOAEA, the OSE can intercept federal payments including Employment Insurance benefits, Canada Pension Plan payments, Old Age Security payments, GST credits, income tax refunds, and other federal program payments. The OSE may also request passport revocation, suspension of federal licenses (pilot licenses, fishing boat licenses), and other federal enforcement actions.
Court-Ordered Enforcement
Courts may order additional enforcement measures including payment orders to income sources, security deposits covering up to three months of support obligations, mandatory financial statement filings, property liens, receiver appointments to collect money owed to the payor, and imprisonment for up to 90 days for contempt of court. Arrears accumulate interest and remain collectible, with New Brunswick having no limitation period for collecting child support arrears.
Modifying Child Support Orders in New Brunswick
Payors experiencing financial difficulties should not simply stop paying child support, as this triggers enforcement actions and arrears accumulation. The OSE cannot modify support orders or agreements; only the court can change support amounts. Payors who cannot maintain their scheduled payments have two primary options for seeking modifications.
Child Support Recalculation Service
The Child Support Recalculation Service provides a free, no-court-required option for annual support adjustments based on updated income information. This service is available when both parents live in New Brunswick and the support order or agreement has been in place for at least one year. Applications can be submitted 120 days before the one-year anniversary of the order. Either the payor or recipient may apply for recalculation.
Court Motion for Variation
For significant changes in circumstances, parents may file a motion with the court to vary the support order. The court filing fee for parenting time and decision-making responsibility applications is $75, while divorce applications cost $110 (as of April 2026 — verify with your local clerk). Fee waivers are available for those who cannot afford filing costs. Self-representing litigants can find annotated court forms at FamilyLawNB.ca.
Child Support Calculation Under Federal Guidelines
New Brunswick adopted the Federal Child Support Guidelines under NB Regulation 2021-19, which came into force on March 1, 2021. The guidelines were updated effective October 1, 2025, incorporating 2023 tax rules and raising the minimum income threshold from $13,000 to $16,000 annually. Parents earning between $13,000 and $15,999 per year may no longer owe table-amount support under the updated guidelines.
Basic support amounts are determined by the Federal Child Support Tables, which consider the paying parent's annual income, number of children, and province of residence. Beyond table amounts, parents share Section 7 "special expenses" proportionate to their incomes. These include childcare costs, health insurance premiums, uncovered medical and dental expenses, extraordinary educational expenses, and post-secondary education costs.
For shared parenting arrangements where each parent has the children at least 40% of the time, a "shared parenting time" calculation applies. Each parent's table amount is calculated, and the difference is paid by the higher-income parent. This calculation recognizes that both parents incur direct costs when children spend substantial time in their care.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Pay Child Support in New Brunswick
How do I set up online banking payments to the New Brunswick Office of Support Enforcement?
To pay child support in New Brunswick through online banking, log into your bank's bill payment system and search for "Family Support Province of NB" using only the word "Family" in your search. Enter your OSE account number (beginning with "SE") as the account reference. You can set up one-time payments or establish recurring automatic payments that match your support schedule.
What happens if I miss a child support payment in New Brunswick?
Missed child support payments trigger enforcement actions by the OSE at no cost to the recipient. The OSE may garnish your wages, intercept tax refunds and federal benefits, report to credit bureaus, and suspend your driver's license. Courts can order property liens, security deposits, and up to 90 days imprisonment. Arrears accumulate interest with no limitation period in New Brunswick.
Can I pay child support directly to my ex instead of through the OSE?
Yes, if the beneficiary files a Notice Not to File Support Order, you can pay directly. However, while enrolled in OSE, direct payments create inaccurate records that may trigger enforcement actions against you. If you accidentally make a direct payment, report it immediately to the OSE in writing. Re-enrollment in OSE is available if circumstances change.
How long does the OSE take to process child support payments?
The OSE processes payments within 48 hours of receipt and forwards them to beneficiaries via direct deposit or mail. Direct deposit is recommended as the most efficient method, avoiding postal delays. The OSE infoline at 1-888-488-3767 operates 7 days a week for payment status updates.
What payment methods does Service New Brunswick accept for child support?
Any Service New Brunswick location accepts child support payments using cash, money orders, debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, certified personal cheques, and business cheques. Standard uncertified personal cheques are only rejected for mail payments, not in-person payments. Each location provides receipts for your records.
How do I change my child support amount if my income changes?
If your order has been in place for at least one year and both parents live in New Brunswick, apply to the free Child Support Recalculation Service for annual adjustments. For significant changes, file a court motion for variation with a $75 filing fee. Fee waivers are available for those unable to pay. The OSE cannot modify support orders.
What is the OSE case file number and how do I find it?
Your OSE case file number is a 9-digit identifier (or 8-digit court file number) assigned when your support order was registered. You'll also receive a PIN for portal access. If you don't know your numbers, call the Justice Triage Centre at 1-844-673-4499. Both numbers are required to access the online portal at www.gnb.ca/OSE.
Does the OSE charge fees for collecting or enforcing child support?
Enforcement services are provided free to recipient parents. Payors may be charged fees to offset enforcement costs when enforcement action becomes necessary due to non-payment. Regular payment processing through the OSE carries no fees for either party. The Child Support Recalculation Service is also free.
Can my employer be required to deduct child support from my paycheck?
Yes, the OSE has authority under the Family Law Act to issue wage deduction notices requiring employers to withhold support amounts directly from pay. This automatic deduction ensures consistent payments without requiring the payor to remember monthly transactions. Employers face penalties for non-compliance with deduction orders.
What federal benefits can be intercepted for unpaid child support in New Brunswick?
Under FOAEA, the OSE can intercept Employment Insurance benefits, Canada Pension Plan payments, Old Age Security payments, GST credits, income tax refunds, and other federal program payments. The OSE may also request passport revocation and suspension of federal licenses including pilot licenses and commercial fishing licenses.
Additional Resources for Child Support Payments in New Brunswick
For comprehensive information about how to pay child support in New Brunswick, parents should consult multiple authoritative sources. The Government of New Brunswick website at gnb.ca/en/topic/laws-safety/courts-jails/child-spousal-support provides official guidance on payment procedures and enforcement. FamilyLawNB.ca offers annotated court forms and procedural information for self-represented litigants.
The Justice Triage Centre at 1-844-673-4499 serves as the primary contact point for questions about the OSE, case numbers, PINs, and general inquiries. The toll-free infoline at 1-888-488-3767 provides automated payment and enforcement information 7 days a week. For legal advice specific to your situation, consult with a family law lawyer licensed in New Brunswick.
Parents can also access the Federal Child Support Guidelines and lookup tables through the Department of Justice Canada at laws-lois.justice.gc.ca. These resources explain how table amounts are calculated and provide the specific dollar figures for each income level and number of children. The guidelines were last updated October 1, 2025.