{"id":351705,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:29","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/family\/child-support\/how-do-i-locate-a-parent-for-child-support.html"},"modified":"2026-07-21T10:52:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T15:52:00","slug":"how-do-i-locate-a-parent-for-child-support","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support\/how-do-i-locate-a-parent-for-child-support.html","title":{"rendered":"How Do I Find a Parent for Child Support?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How Do I Find a Parent for Child Support?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Danielle Gilmore, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n
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Finding a parent for child support often starts with gathering identifying information and working with your state\u2019s child support agency, which can access databases and federal locator tools. States use resources like the Federal Parent Locator Service to help track down non\u2011custodial parents who evade payments or deny paternity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Unfortunately, not all parents step up to financially support their children. Child support laws can require non\u2011custodial parents to pay their court-ordered obligations for their children. But to enforce an order and collect support, you must first locate the non-paying parent. Sometimes, that means working with state agencies, federal locator tools, or an attorney who knows how to track them down and hold them accountable for their responsibilities under the law.<\/p>\n

This article provides general information about how to find a parent for child support, whether the other parent is ducking their responsibility or denies paternity<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Your child deserves the financial support they’re entitled to. A local family law attorney<\/a> can guide you through enforcement options and help you secure the child support you need to care for your child.<\/p>\n

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How Does the Court Determine Child Support Amounts?<\/h2>\n

In most cases, the parent with physical custody of the child receives child support from the other parent. The judge considers the parent’s income and the child’s needs to set the amount of child support. Remember, your gross income consists of more than just your regular salary and wages. Money and benefits like workers’ compensation<\/a> and Social Security benefits also qualify.<\/p>\n

Each state has its own child support guidelines.<\/a><\/p>\n

First Steps: Establishing Paternity<\/h2>\n

Before you can enforce a child support order and collect past-due support, you will first need to find\u00a0<\/i>your obligated ex. You may also need to find them if you must establish paternity. The court uses genetic testing to resolve paternity. But you must know their whereabouts before you can test them.<\/p>\n

If the court ordered your ex to make payments to you, but they are failing to pay, you may be looking for solutions to\u00a0enforce your child support order<\/a>. This is also true for medical support orders. You may have a separate medical support order for your child’s health insurance and health care in some cases. The state can enforce medical support, just like child support, by ordering income withholding.<\/p>\n

How To Find Parents for Child Support: General Guidelines<\/h2>\n

Regardless of\u00a0your state’s laws<\/a>, the best way to find an elusive, obligated parent is to gather as much personally identifying information as possible. You aren’t expected to produce their birth certificate. But gather as much data as possible. If the parent is a former spouse, some of this information may be easier to find.<\/p>\n

You may be eligible to use your state child support services agency for free help. Many states require families enrolled in certain public assistance programs<\/a> (like TANF and Medicaid) to open a child support case.<\/p>\n

Part of the agency’s role is to help locate the non-custodial parent. They can use their access to resources, including credit reporting agencies, utility companies, and the United States Postal Service, to track down the co-parent.<\/p>\n

The following types of information may help state authorities or caseworkers find an otherwise unresponsive parent:<\/p>\n