Virginia parents can pay child support through five primary methods: wage withholding (the default for most orders), the MyChildSupport online portal, phone payments via 1-877-670-2941, check or money order mailed to Richmond, or electronic funds transfer through payroll services. The Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) processes and distributes payments within 48 hours of receipt, with no fees charged for electronic payments through the state portal. Understanding how to pay child support in Virginia correctly ensures payments reach your children promptly while keeping you in compliance with court orders.
Key Facts: Virginia Child Support Payments 2026
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Payment Portal | MyChildSupport |
| Phone Payment Line | 1-877-670-2941 |
| Mail-In Address | P.O. Box 28990, Richmond, VA 23228 |
| Processing Time | 48 hours (standard), 2-4 business days (portal) |
| Electronic Payment Fee | $0 (free through DCSE portal) |
| EFT Employer Requirement | 100+ employees or payroll firm with 50+ clients |
| License Suspension Threshold | $5,000 arrears or 90 days delinquent |
| Passport Denial Threshold | $2,500 arrears (federal law) |
| Customer Service | 1-800-468-8894 (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm) |
How Wage Withholding Works in Virginia
Virginia requires immediate income withholding for virtually all child support orders, with employers deducting support directly from paychecks and remitting payments to DCSE within 4 days when using electronic funds transfer. Under Va. Code § 20-79.1, courts must order income deductions when the paying parent is in arrears by one month or more, when stipulated in an agreement, or upon receipt of an arrearage notice. This automatic system ensures consistent payments while reducing the burden on both parents to manually track and transfer funds each pay period.
Employers play a critical role in Virginia's child support collection system. According to Va. Code § 63.2-1900 and related enforcement provisions, all employers with at least 100 employees must remit child support payments via electronic funds transfer. Payroll processing firms with 50 or more clients face the same EFT requirement. Smaller employers may remit payments on each regular pay date directly to DCSE at P.O. Box 28990, Richmond, VA 23228.
The income withholding order specifies the exact amount to deduct from each paycheck, including current support plus any arrearage payments. Under Va. Code § 34-29, the total withholding cannot exceed 50% of disposable earnings for parents supporting another family, or 60% for those without other dependents. These limits increase by 5% for arrearages exceeding 12 weeks. Employers who wrongfully discharge an employee to avoid wage withholding face penalties under Virginia law.
Using the MyChildSupport Online Portal
The MyChildSupport portal allows Virginia parents to make child support payments electronically using a bank account or credit/debit card with zero processing fees. This state-operated payment system processes transactions within 3-4 business days and provides complete payment history tracking through your secure account. The portal represents the most convenient way for non-wage-withholding parents to maintain consistent, documented payment records.
To make a payment through the child support payment portal, parents must first create an account at mychildsupport.dss.virginia.gov. The registration process requires your Social Security number, date of birth, and case information. Once registered, you can view your case details, check payment history, calculate payment amounts, and submit payments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All payment confirmations are stored in your account for future reference.
The portal also supports guest payments for those who prefer not to create an account. Visit the "Submit a Payment" section and enter your case information to make a one-time payment without registration. However, registered users benefit from saved payment methods, automatic payment scheduling, and comprehensive case management tools. For employers, the portal provides dedicated employer payment options for remitting wage-withheld funds electronically.
Phone Payment Options
Virginia parents can pay child support by phone through the MyChildSupport voice response system at 1-877-670-2941, available 24 hours a day for automated payment processing. This toll-free number connects to the same secure payment system as the online portal, allowing parents to make payments using their bank account or debit card without internet access. Phone payments typically process within the same 3-4 business day timeframe as online submissions.
The automated phone system guides callers through payment verification, amount confirmation, and payment method selection. You will need your case number and payment information readily available before calling. The system provides confirmation numbers for each transaction, which you should record for your records. For complex questions or account issues, the Customer Service Center at 1-800-468-8894 offers live assistance Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Paying by Check or Money Order
Parents who prefer traditional payment methods can mail checks or money orders to the Virginia DCSE at P.O. Box 28990, Richmond, VA 23228, with payments made payable to "Treasurer of Virginia" and including the noncustodial parent's name and Social Security number on each payment. While electronic payments process faster, paper payments remain a valid option for parents without bank accounts or those who prefer physical documentation. Allow 5-7 business days for mailed payments to arrive and post to your account.
When preparing a check or money order payment, include your full legal name exactly as it appears on your child support order, your Social Security number, and your case number on the payment itself. This information ensures DCSE can properly credit your account without delay. Never send cash through the mail, as DCSE cannot verify receipt of cash payments. Keep copies of all money orders and maintain your check register as proof of payment.
Direct Deposit for Receiving Parents
Virginia custodial parents can receive child support payments through direct deposit into their checking or savings account, with funds typically available within 2 business days of DCSE processing. To enroll, download the Direct Deposit Authorization form from dss.virginia.gov/family/dcse/form.cgi and submit it with a voided check or bank letter. DCSE requires 15-30 days to process direct deposit enrollment, and you will receive notification when your account is active.
Direct deposit offers significant advantages over other disbursement methods. Payments arrive faster than mailed checks, eliminate the risk of lost or stolen mail, and provide automatic deposit regardless of your location. Once enrolled, payments from wage withholding and other collection methods automatically route to your designated account. You can change your direct deposit information at any time by submitting a new authorization form with updated banking details.
The Virginia Way2Go Debit Card
Custodial parents who do not enroll in direct deposit automatically receive child support payments on a Virginia Way2Go Card, a prepaid Mastercard that functions like a standard debit card for purchases, ATM withdrawals, and bill payments. The Way2Go Card arrives by mail after your first child support payment is processed, with payments typically available within 2 business days of DCSE applying funds to your case. This card works anywhere Mastercard is accepted and provides 24/7 access to your child support funds.
Activating your Way2Go Card requires calling the number on the card sticker, visiting www.GoProgram.com, or using the Way2Go mobile app. Once activated, you can check balances online, set up alerts for deposits, and manage your card through the app. The same Way2Go Card used for child support also works with other Virginia benefits programs including unemployment and TANF, consolidating multiple benefit streams onto one convenient card. Customer service for card issues is available at 1-800-961-8423.
Employer Electronic Funds Transfer Requirements
Virginia law mandates that employers with 100 or more employees and payroll processing firms with 50 or more clients must remit child support payments via electronic funds transfer, with payments due within 4 days of the employee's pay date. Major payroll providers including ADP, Paychex, and Ceridian offer built-in child support payment capabilities that comply with Virginia's EFT requirements. Smaller employers may use the employer section of the MyChildSupport portal or mail payments on each regular pay date.
The Virginia New Hire Reporting Center speeds up income withholding order processing by alerting DCSE when child support obligors start new jobs. Employers must report new hires within 20 days of the start date, enabling DCSE to issue income withholding orders to the new employer promptly. This system helps reduce gaps in payments when obligors change employment and ensures continuous support for Virginia children.
What Happens When Payments Are Late
Virginia enforces child support obligations through progressive penalties that escalate with the amount and duration of arrears, starting with license suspension at $5,000 owed or 90 days delinquent. Under Va. Code § 63.2-1900 enforcement provisions, DCSE may intercept state and federal tax refunds, place liens on bank accounts and real property, report arrears to credit bureaus, and intercept payments due from the Commonwealth. These enforcement actions occur automatically through DCSE's systems without requiring court intervention.
Federal law adds additional consequences for significant arrearages. The U.S. Department of State denies or revokes passports for parents owing more than $2,500 in child support, preventing international travel until arrears are addressed. Virginia also suspends professional licenses, contractor licenses, and recreational licenses for parents 90 days or $5,000 behind on support. DMV may suspend or refuse to renew driver's licenses, creating substantial practical barriers for non-compliant parents.
The most serious consequence for non-payment is contempt of court, which can result in fines, attorney's fees awards, and incarceration. Courts typically impose contempt findings only when parents have the ability to pay but willfully refuse to do so. Judges may set a "purge amount" that, if paid, will release an incarcerated parent. To avoid these consequences, parents experiencing financial difficulty should immediately contact DCSE at 1-800-468-8894 to discuss payment arrangements before falling significantly behind.
Negotiating an Arrears Payment Plan
Parents who have accumulated child support arrears can often negotiate a structured payment plan with DCSE that allows gradual repayment while avoiding more aggressive enforcement actions like wage garnishment maximums or license suspensions. Contact DCSE through the MyChildSupport portal, by email at askdcse@dss.virginia.gov, or by calling 1-800-468-8894 to discuss your situation and available options. Payment plans consider your current income, existing obligations, and ability to pay while maintaining ongoing current support.
Virginia offers a special TANF Debt Compromise Program for parents who owe arrears to the state for public assistance reimbursement. This program allows qualifying participants who make consistent payments for three consecutive months to receive a $1-for-$1 reduction in TANF-related debt. To participate, your order must be a Virginia order, you must owe TANF debt, and you must sign the TANF Debt Compromise Payment Agreement. This program can significantly reduce the total arrears balance for parents who maintain consistent payment compliance.
2025-2026 Child Support Law Changes
Virginia implemented a major overhaul of its child support guidelines effective July 1, 2025, expanding the statutory schedule to cover combined monthly gross incomes up to $42,500 (previously $35,000). Under revised Va. Code § 20-108.2, families earning between $35,000 and $42,500 per month now have a presumptive support amount calculated using the standard guidelines rather than judicial discretion. This change creates more predictable outcomes for high-income families and reduces litigation over support amounts.
Senate Bill 805 also mandated a comprehensive study of child support arrearages in Virginia, with the Child Support Guidelines Review Panel and DCSE required to report findings to the General Assembly by November 15, 2025. This study examines the scope, causes, and enforcement practices related to outstanding support debts and may result in future changes to repayment options or enforcement strategies. Current arrears are not affected by the 2025 changes, and parents remain responsible for all accumulated balances.
Modifying Your Child Support Order
Virginia parents can petition for child support modification when circumstances change substantially since the original order, with the filing fee ranging from $25 in Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court to $86-$95 in Circuit Court as of April 2026. Under Va. Code § 20-108, courts may modify support "as the circumstances of the parents and the benefit of the children may require," including significant income changes, custody schedule modifications, or changes in the child's needs. Fee waivers are available for parents who demonstrate financial hardship.
To modify your payment amount, file a motion in the same court that issued the original support order. You must demonstrate a material change in circumstances such as job loss, significant income increase or decrease, disability, or changes in parenting time. Courts will recalculate support using the current guidelines under Va. Code § 20-108.2 and apply the presumptive amount unless deviation factors apply. Until the court issues a modified order, you remain obligated to pay the original amount, so file promptly when circumstances change.
When Child Support Ends in Virginia
Child support obligations in Virginia generally terminate when the child turns 18 and graduates from high school, or at age 19 if still enrolled in high school, though the income withholding order does not automatically stop without a court order. Under Va. Code § 20-108.1, parents must file a motion and obtain a signed order directing the employer and DCSE to cease collection. Failure to obtain this termination order can result in continued withholding and potential arrears accrual even after the child ages out of support eligibility.
Support may extend beyond these ages for children with disabilities who cannot support themselves. The court may also order continuation of support through college completion in limited circumstances established by agreement. When support ends, any accumulated arrears remain due and collectible through all available enforcement mechanisms. Contact DCSE or consult with a family law attorney well before the anticipated termination date to ensure proper procedures are followed and withholding ends appropriately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pay child support in Virginia if my employer does not withhold it?
Virginia parents without wage withholding can pay through the MyChildSupport online portal at mychildsupport.dss.virginia.gov using a bank account or card with no fees, by phone at 1-877-670-2941, or by mailing a check payable to "Treasurer of Virginia" to P.O. Box 28990, Richmond, VA 23228. Online and phone payments process within 3-4 business days.
What is the child support payment portal in Virginia?
The MyChildSupport portal (mychildsupport.dss.virginia.gov) is Virginia's official online payment system operated by DCSE, offering free electronic payments, payment history tracking, case information access, and 24/7 availability. Parents can make one-time guest payments or create accounts for recurring payment management and full case access.
How long does Virginia DCSE take to process payments?
DCSE typically distributes child support payments to custodial parents within 48 hours of receiving payment from employers or individual payers. Portal and phone payments require 3-4 business days for processing. Direct deposit recipients see funds within 2 business days of DCSE processing, while Way2Go Card deposits may appear by the end of the 2nd business day.
Can I set up direct deposit for child support in Virginia?
Yes, Virginia custodial parents can enroll in direct deposit by submitting the authorization form from dss.virginia.gov/family/dcse/form.cgi with a voided check. DCSE requires 15-30 days to process enrollment and will notify you when direct deposit is active. This method provides faster access to funds compared to mailed checks.
What happens if I fall behind on child support in Virginia?
Virginia enforces delinquent child support through license suspension (at $5,000 or 90 days behind), tax refund interception, bank account liens, credit reporting, and passport denial (federal law applies at $2,500). Contempt of court can result in fines or incarceration. Contact DCSE at 1-800-468-8894 immediately to discuss payment arrangements.
How do I get a payment plan for child support arrears in Virginia?
Contact DCSE through the MyChildSupport portal, email askdcse@dss.virginia.gov, or call 1-800-468-8894 to negotiate a payment plan for arrears. Plans consider your income and ability to pay. Virginia's TANF Debt Compromise Program offers $1-for-$1 debt reduction for qualifying participants who make three consecutive monthly payments.
What is wage withholding for child support in Virginia?
Wage withholding is Virginia's primary child support collection method where employers deduct support from paychecks and remit payments to DCSE. Under Va. Code § 20-79.1, courts must order income deductions when a parent is one month behind, and employers with 100+ employees must use electronic funds transfer, submitting payments within 4 days of payday.
How do I stop child support payments when my child turns 18?
Virginia does not automatically terminate income withholding when children age out. You must file a motion in court and obtain a signed order directing your employer and DCSE to cease collection. File this motion before or shortly after your child turns 18 and graduates high school to prevent continued withholding and potential arrears accrual.
What is the Way2Go card for child support?
The Virginia Way2Go Card is a prepaid Mastercard issued to custodial parents who do not enroll in direct deposit, receiving child support payments within 2 business days of DCSE processing. The card works for purchases, ATM withdrawals, and bill payments anywhere Mastercard is accepted. Activate at GoProgram.com or call 1-800-961-8423.
Can I pay child support with a credit card in Virginia?
Yes, Virginia accepts credit and debit card payments through the MyChildSupport portal at mychildsupport.dss.virginia.gov with no fees charged by DCSE. Your card issuer may apply cash advance fees or interest depending on your account terms. Bank account payments are also available through the same portal without fees.