How Florida Collects Unpaid Child Support: Wage Garnishment, License Suspension and Passport Denial
If you don’t pay child support in Florida, delinquent installments can become judgments with interest, and income deduction, license suspension after 15 days delinquent, credit reporting and contempt can follow. Arrears above $2,500 can affect a passport.
What happens if you don’t pay child support in Florida?
Each delinquent installment can become a final judgment with interest, and the obligee or the Department of Revenue can use income deduction, license suspension, credit reporting, contempt and other remedies; federal law adds passport certification above $2,500 (Fla. Stat. 409.2564(10)).
Can Florida garnish wages for unpaid child support?
Child support orders are enforced through income deduction orders (61.1301). 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% |
Can you lose a driver license for unpaid child support in Florida?
Yes. The driver license and motor vehicle registration of an obligor who is 15 days delinquent, or who has not complied with a subpoena or order to appear in a support proceeding, may be suspended after a notice. The obligor has 20 days from mailing to pay in full, sign a payment agreement, file a petition to contest, or show that he or she receives reemployment assistance or unemployment compensation, is disabled and incapable of self-support or receives SSI or SSDI, receives temporary cash assistance, or is paying under a confirmed bankruptcy plan (61.13016). On petition the court may direct the department to issue a license restricted to business purposes.
Can unpaid child support affect your credit in Florida?
The notice of impending judgment tells the obligor that the local depository may release information about the delinquency to one or more credit reporting agencies (61.14(6)(b)1.d).
Can you be jailed or ordered to work?
A delinquent obligor can be held in contempt. If the court finds payments overdue and the obligor is unemployed, underemployed or without income but able to work, it can order the obligor to seek employment, report job-search efforts and take part in job training or placement (61.14).
What about passports?
The Department of Revenue has procedures to certify to the federal government that an obligor owes arrearages above $2,500, with notice and an opportunity to contest, so that a passport can be denied, revoked or limited (409.2564(10); 42 U.S.C. 652(k)). The Florida arrears calculator warns when the unpaid principal passes that figure.
What should you do if you owe?
Respond to every notice within its deadline, because the 15-day and 20-day windows are short. Contact the Department or the other parent about a payment plan, add up the balance in the Florida 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 Florida?
Delinquent installments can become judgments with interest, and income deduction, license suspension, credit reporting and contempt can follow.
How long do I have to respond to a Florida license suspension notice?
20 days from the date the notice is mailed.
How can I avoid a Florida license suspension for child support?
Pay the delinquency in full, sign a payment agreement, file a petition to contest, or show a qualifying exception such as unemployment compensation or SSDI.
How much of my wages can Florida take for child support?
Federal law limits garnishment for support to 50% or 60% of disposable earnings, and 55% or 65% for support more than 12 weeks overdue.
When can the passport of a Florida parent who owes child support be denied?
When the Department certifies arrears above $2,500 under federal law.
Official sources
- Fla. Stat. 61.14(6): judgments by operation of law; interest
- Fla. Stat. 55.03: rate of interest on judgments
- Florida Chief Financial Officer: current judgment interest rates
- Fla. Stat. 61.13016: suspension of driver licenses
- Fla. Stat. 409.2564: Department of Revenue enforcement
- Fla. Stat. 61.1301: income deduction orders
- 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 Florida statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Florida attorney.