Alaska Department of Revenue CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

➲ Frequently Asked Questions

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• Permanent Fund
• Licensing
• CSSD Complaint Resolution Process
• Appealing CSSD Orders and Decisions
• Child Support Enforcement Services
• Establishment and Calculating Child Support Orders
• Modifying Child Support Orders
• Intergovernmental
• Determining and Establishing Paternity
• Medical Enforcement
• Visitation Credits

Popular Questions

How does a parent apply for child support agency services?

Complete an application for services by clicking on "Open a Case" you will need the following documents:

• Affidavit of payments already made or received
• Location information about the other parent
• Copies of the Order if you have a child custody or support order. If you don’t have a copy of your Alaska Court Order, how can you get one? Click here for court information.
• Birth Certificates. If you don’t have a copy of your child’s birth certificate, how can you get one? Click here for records.

How does the agency determine how much child support is owed each month?

If there is a court order, such as in a divorce or dissolution, the courts usually set the amount of the child support payment.

In the absence of a support order, the agency will determine the child support obligation based on the guidelines established in Alaska Civil Court Rule 90.3. The guidelines are based on a percentage of the parents’ income. The percentage varies with the number of children and the type of custody.

Does the agency charge any fees for its services?

Fees are only charged to reimburse the state for genetic tests, attorney fees and process server fees. The fees are charged to the parent who is ordered to pay child support. Other states may charge for some services if one of the parents lives in that state, even if the other parent lives in Alaska.

Can the agency help find noncustodial parents who owe child support?

Yes. We will attempt to find the parent using whatever information is provided by the custodial parent. The most important information in finding missing parents is their Social Security number. If the Social Security number is unknown, other information such as date of birth, friends, relatives and former employers should be provided.

Can the child support agency collect alimony or spousal support?

In cases where there is both a child support order and a provision for spousal support, often called alimony, we will collect and enforce both types of support obligations. But we cannot collect and enforce spousal support alone.The agency can't establish orders for spousal support; this must be done through the courts.  

Why do child support payments go to the state when the custodial parent receives public assistance?

Parents must assign their rights to any unpaid child support debt and continuing monthly child support to the state for the time they are approved for public assistance benefits. The state collects the money as partial reimbursement for the public assistance benefits.

Can a custodial parent apply to the agency to help collect child support if the other parent was making payments voluntarily but later stopped sending money?

Yes. Simply click "open a case" and get started on an application for services.  Please be sure to fill out the affidavit listing all of the payments received. The agency also will need a copy of the divorce decree or separation agreement, the current child support order and any previous orders and other documents issued by the court.