Minnesota Child Support Payments

Relevant Statutes

Minnesota Statutes Domestic Relations Chapter 518A.26 through 518A.79

• Support of Minor Children - section 518A.38
• Definitions - section 518A.26
• Medical Support - section 518A.41
• Payment and Collections - section 518A.41 to 518A.63

Duration of Child Support

The parent paying child support is responsible for child support payments while the child is:

1. Under 18 years of age; or
2. Under 20 years of age and still attending secondary school; or
3. Unable to self-support because of a physical or mental handicap.

What Child Support Covers

Minnesota child support laws provide for:

• Basic Support: This includes the child's housing, food, clothing, transportation, education, and other expenses related to the child's care;
• Medical Care: Medical care means providing medical, dental, or other health care by contributing to health care coverage, public coverage, unreimbursed medical expenses, and uninsured medical expenses.
• Child Care Support: This covers work or education-related child care costs.

Child Support Payment Options

Most Minnesota court orders require parents to pay child support through income withholding. If income withholding is not an option:

Pay online

• You can make online payments from a checking or savings account to Minnesota Child Support Online by registering and creating an account. There is no fee for this service.

Pay with cash

• PayNearMe: This system allows you to make cash payments to participating stores nationwide by obtaining a PayNearMe barcode using your name and 10-digit Minnesota child support number (MCI). Show your PayNearMe barcode to a cashier to make a cash payment. There is a $1.99 fee per transaction.
• MoneyGram_®: Find a participating location and enter Minnesota's child support receiver code (14665) and your 10-digit Minnesota child support number (MCI) on the MoneyGram_® Express Payment Service form. Give the cashier the form and the payment in cash. There is a $3.99 fee per transaction for this service.

Automatic Recurring Withdrawal

• Automatic Withdrawal: This system debits your bank through a secure, online process (with no fee); you may set up a schedule for payments. There is no charge for this service. Complete the withdrawal authorization form and mail it to:

Minnesota Child Support Payment Center,

P.O. Box 64329,

St. Paul, MN 55164-0329

By Mail

• Mail a check, cashier's check, or money order to:

Minnesota Child Support Payment Center,

P.O. Box 64329,

St. Paul, MN 55164-0329

• Include your name and MCI number or Social Security Number on the payment.

Receiving Child Support Payments

Mandatory Direct Deposit

Obligees (parents receiving child support) are required to use direct deposit to receive child support payments. As an obligee, you can deposit your payments into checking, savings or stored value card accounts.

• Direct Deposit: Sign up for direct deposit with the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Complete the direct deposit form and mail to the address on the form.
• Stored Value Card: If you do not complete the direct deposit form within 20 days of opening a child support case, the state office will open a stored value card account for you.

Exceptions to Mandatory Direct Deposit

• Physical or mental disability
• Language barrier
• Court Order requires payment to someone other than the obligee