COVID-19 Update
Child support and collections at the Northern Service Center are open to accept cash payments for those who have no other options to make their payments. For all other child support and collections questions or needs, we are serving our clients over the phone, by mail and virtually. Please contact your worker directly or call 651-554-5611 to reach our office as needed.
Child Support and Federal Stimulus Recovery Payment
American Rescue Plan Act and Federal Consolidated Appropriations Act stimulus payments
Congress exempted economic impact payments — also called federal stimulus payments — included in the American Rescue Plan Act signed by President Biden on March 11, 2021 and the Federal Consolidated Appropriations Act signed by President Trump on Dec. 27, 2020 from going towards past-due child support.
There is one exception to the exemption. These stimulus payments will be offset to pay past due child support debt when:
- The noncustodial parent receives the credit as part of their 2020 income tax refund, and
- The noncustodial parent's child support arrears have been certified for the Federal Tax offset program.
Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act stimulus payments
Congress did not exempt the first economic impact payments from the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act signed by President Trump on March 27, 2020 from going towards past-due child support. For parents who owe past-due child support,
read the frequently asked questions about the first economic impact payments or federal stimulus payments.
Services available
For information on ways to make payments, frequently asked questions, resources and more, view the Child Support Welcome Packet.
The Dakota County Child Support Agency and Dakota County Attorney's Office work together to provide a variety of services to make sure that a child receives support, including:
- Locating parents
- Collecting and processing payments
- Changing an existing child support order
- Enforcing an existing child support order
- Identifying and verifying sources of income
- Establishing a court order for child support
- Establishing paternity
Services do not include:
- Giving legal advice
- Commencing a legal separation, dissolution or custody lawsuit. However, if a lawsuit has been started, support can be established as part of the pending lawsuit.
- Establishing, modifying or enforcing custody or parenting time visitation
- Collecting unpaid bills or debts not related to child support obligations
For more information on child support services, go to
Minnesota Department of Human Services website.
If services are provided, you will receive a password to access
Minnesota Child Support Online. Minnesota Child Support Online provides case status and payment history information.
If you are interested in receiving text messages about your Dakota County child support case, you can opt in by texting the word
child to 505-229-9999. You will receive an automatically generated message that contains a link to the online permissions form. The participant must open the link and complete the form.
Questions?
For general questions on child support, call Dakota County at 651-554-5611.
For application questions, call 651-554-5689 or 651-554-5852.