Quick answer: In the District of Columbia, each child support installment is a money judgment that becomes absolute and vested when due, and a lien arises by operation of law for overdue support. We found no interest on child support arrears in the D.C. Code. At 60 days of overdue support, an obligor who is receiving income can lose a driver’s license.
This District of Columbia child support arrears calculator adds up the unpaid principal, lets you test an interest rate and flags the thresholds in D.C. Code 46-225.01 and 46-205. Federal law adds passport certification above $2,500. The court cannot modify support retroactively, so the way to stop arrears growing is to file and give notice before installments fall due.
District of Columbia child support arrears at a glance
| Rule | What the District says |
|---|---|
| Each installment | A money judgment that becomes absolute, vested and subject to execution when due (D.C. Code 46-204(b)) |
| Lien | A lien arises by operation of law against real and personal property for overdue support (46-224) |
| Interest | We found none on child support arrears in Titles 16 and 46; ask the Child Support Services Division whether any is claimed |
| License sanctions | An obligor receiving income who owes overdue support of at least 60 days: no new or renewed license; existing license suspended; 30 days written notice and a hearing (46-225.01) |
| Credit reporting | Overdue support of $1,000 or more is reported to a consumer credit reporting agency (46-205(7)) |
| Time limit | Judgments are enforceable for 12 years; withholding orders issued within 12 years do not lapse before full satisfaction (15-101; 46-215) |
How do child support arrears work in the District of Columbia?
- Interest and method. See whether the District of Columbia charges interest on child support arrears.
- Collection. See what happens if you do not pay child support in the District of Columbia.
- Time limits and forgiveness. See whether District of Columbia child support arrears expire or can be forgiven.
What does this arrears calculator check?
You enter the monthly support, the number of installments unpaid and, if you want to test one, an interest rate. By default no interest is added. The calculator flags the 60-day license sanction, the $1,000 credit reporting and the $2,500 passport thresholds. It does not model partial payments. To change the amount going forward, see the District of Columbia child support modification calculator, and for when the obligation stops, the District of Columbia child support end date calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Does the District of Columbia charge interest on child support arrears?
We found no provision adding interest to child support arrears in Titles 16 and 46 of the D.C. Code. Ask the Child Support Services Division whether any is claimed on your case.
Is a missed District of Columbia child support payment a judgment?
Yes. An award of child support is a money judgment that becomes absolute, vested and subject to execution when it becomes due.
When can a District of Columbia license be suspended for unpaid child support?
When the obligor is receiving income and owes overdue support equal to at least 60 days of support, after 30 days written notice and an opportunity for a hearing.
Does the District of Columbia place a lien for unpaid child support?
Yes. A lien arises by operation of law against the real and personal property of an obligor who resides or owns property in the District, for overdue support.
Does the District of Columbia report unpaid child support to credit bureaus?
Yes, for overdue support of $1,000 or more, as support orders state.
Official sources
- D.C. Code 46-204: support awards are money judgments
- D.C. Code 46-224: liens and other enforcement
- D.C. Code 46-225.01: sanctions, including license suspension
- D.C. Code 46-205: contents of a support order
- D.C. Code 46-207: enforcement by withholding
- D.C. Code 15-101: enforceable period of judgments
- 15 U.S.C. 1673: restriction on garnishment
- 42 U.S.C. 652(k): denial of passports