How Connecticut Collects Unpaid Child Support: Wage Garnishment, License Suspension and Passport Denial
If you don’t pay child support in Connecticut, it stays owed and can be collected by income withholding, a state lien at $500 of past-due support, credit reporting at $1,000, license suspension after 90 days of overdue payments and contempt. Arrears over $2,500 can affect a passport.
What happens if you don’t pay child support in Connecticut?
Unpaid support stays owed. The state, Support Enforcement Services and the other parent can use income withholding, a lien, credit reporting, license suspension, executions and contempt (C.G.S. 46b-215), and federal law adds passport certification above $2,500.
Can Connecticut garnish wages for unpaid child support?
A court or family support magistrate orders income withholding with a support order. It is effective immediately unless the court finds cause, based on a written determination that immediate withholding is not in the child’s best interests, to order a contingent withholding that starts only when a delinquency of at least thirty days’ obligation accrues (52-362). Federal law limits how much of disposable earnings can be garnished for support: 50% if the person supports another spouse or child and 60% if not, rising to 55% and 65% for support more than 12 weeks overdue (15 U.S.C. 1673(b)).
| If the person | Limit | If support is more than 12 weeks overdue |
|---|---|---|
| Supporting a spouse or another child | 50% | 55% |
| Not supporting a spouse or another child | 60% | 65% |
Does Connecticut put a lien on property for unpaid child support?
Yes, in cases where payments are ordered to the state. When the obligor owes past-due support of $500 or more, the state has a lien on any real or personal property in which the obligor has an interest. The IV-D agency secures it, gives notice and an opportunity for a hearing before a Department of Social Services hearing officer, and a lien on real property can be foreclosed (52-362d(a)).
Can unpaid child support affect your credit in Connecticut?
Overdue support of $1,000 or more accruing after an initial order can be reported to consumer reporting agencies, but only after notice to the obligor of the proposed action and an opportunity for a hearing (52-362d(b)).
Can you lose a license for unpaid child support in Connecticut?
The Superior Court or a family support magistrate may issue a suspension order for a delinquent child support obligor’s license, effective only on an affidavit of the delinquency. The order specifies the conditions to avoid suspension and the conditions of reinstatement, and in IV-D cases the Department of Social Services notifies the licensing authority. “License” includes professional and occupational licenses and motor vehicle operator and commercial driver’s licenses (46b-220).
Can you go to jail or be made to work?
Failure to obey a support order may be punished as contempt. In IV-D cases family support magistrates enforce support orders by citing an obligor for contempt, and they may order an obligor who is subject to a repayment plan for past-due support and is not incapacitated to take part in work activities such as job search, training or work experience (46b-215; 46b-231).
What about passports?
If a state agency certifies that a person owes child support arrearages of more than $2,500, federal law requires the Secretary of State to refuse to issue a passport and allows revoking, restricting or limiting one already issued (42 U.S.C. 652(k)). The Connecticut arrears calculator warns when the unpaid principal passes that figure.
What should you do if you owe?
Contact Support Enforcement Services or the Office of Child Support Services about a payment plan before action escalates, add up the balance in the Connecticut child support arrears calculator and, if your circumstances changed, file to modify because only later installments can change.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if you don’t pay child support in Connecticut?
It stays owed and can be collected by income withholding, a lien, credit reporting, license suspension, executions and contempt.
When does Connecticut put a lien on property for child support?
When payments are ordered to the state and past-due support is $500 or more.
How much can be garnished for child support in Connecticut?
Federal law limits garnishment for support to 50% or 60% of disposable earnings, and 55% or 65% for support more than 12 weeks overdue.
Can a Connecticut driver’s license be suspended for unpaid child support?
Yes, on an affidavit that the obligor is delinquent: overdue support exceeding ninety days of periodic payments.
When can the passport of a Connecticut parent who owes child support be denied?
When a state agency certifies arrears over $2,500 under federal law.
Official sources
- C.G.S. 37-3a: interest as damages for the detention of money
- C.G.S. chapter 906 (postjudgment procedures), annotated, including 52-350f and 52-356d
- C.G.S. 52-362d: lien and credit reporting for past-due support
- C.G.S. 52-362: income withholding
- C.G.S. 46b-220: license suspension for delinquent obligors
- C.G.S. 46b-215: support of family; enforcement
- C.G.S. 46b-86: no retroactive modification
- C.G.S. 46b-130: reimbursement of the state
- C.G.S. 46b-231: family support magistrates
- 15 U.S.C. 1673: restriction on garnishment
- 42 U.S.C. 652(k): denial of passports
A local family law attorney can review your situation — many offer a free consultation.
This is general information, not legal advice. It is based on the cited Connecticut statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Connecticut attorney.