How Hawaii Collects Unpaid Child Support: Wage Garnishment, License Suspension and Passport Denial
If you don’t pay child support in Hawaii, it stays owed and the agency can withhold income once you are one month behind, suspend driver’s licenses at three months and professional licenses at six, report to credit bureaus, record liens and use tax refund setoff. Arrears over $2,500 can affect a passport.
What happens if you don’t pay child support in Hawaii?
It stays owed. The Child Support Enforcement Agency can use income withholding, liens, credit reporting, state income tax refund setoff and license suspension, and federal law adds passport certification above $2,500 (HRS 576D-6).
Can Hawaii garnish wages for unpaid child support?
In cases the agency enforces, an obligor’s income becomes subject to withholding if arrearages or delinquency occur, without a judicial or administrative hearing. When the obligor is delinquent by at least one month of support, the agency issues an income withholding order that includes an amount toward the delinquency (576D-14). Federal law limits garnishment 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 license for unpaid child support in Hawaii?
Yes. An obligor is not in compliance when delinquent by an amount equal to three months of payments for driver’s and recreational licenses, or six months for professional and vocational licenses (576D-1). The agency sends notice by regular mail. The obligor has 30 days from service to contact the agency in writing and enter a monthly payment agreement, in which case the agency does not pursue the suspension, or to request a hearing in writing, which stays the action. If the obligor does neither, the licensing authority suspends or denies the license without further review until the agency, the hearings office or the family court releases it (576D-13).
Can unpaid child support affect your credit in Hawaii?
The agency has procedures to make the name of a debtor parent and the amount of delinquent support available to consumer reporting agencies, with advance notice to the parent and a chance to contest the accuracy of the information (576D-6(a)(6)). The agency says the parent can request a hearing within 14 days of the notice (agency enforcement page).
Does Hawaii put a lien on property?
The agency establishes and uses procedures to enforce liens against the real and personal property of a debtor parent who owes overdue support and lives or owns property in the State (576D-6(a)(7)). The agency also uses state income tax refund setoff and reimburses overpayments from setoffs.
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 Hawaii arrears calculator warns when the unpaid principal passes that figure.
What should you do if you owe?
Respond to every notice within its 30-day deadline, contact the agency about a monthly payment agreement, add up the balance in the Hawaii child support arrears calculator and, if your circumstances changed, ask to modify because through the agency only later payments can change.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if you don’t pay child support in Hawaii?
It stays owed and can be collected by withholding, liens, credit reporting, tax refund setoff and license suspension.
How much of my wages can Hawaii 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.
How long do I have to respond to a Hawaii license notice?
30 days from service of the notice, to contact the agency for a payment agreement or request a hearing.
Does a Hawaii license hearing stop the suspension?
Yes. If a timely written request is made the agency stays the action until a decision is made.
When can the passport of a Hawaii parent who owes child support be denied?
When arrears above $2,500 are certified under federal law.
Official sources
- HRS 576D-14: implementation of income withholding
- HRS 576D-13: suspension or denial of licenses
- HRS 576D-1: definitions, including compliance with an order of support
- HRS 576D-6: other duties of the agency
- HRS 478-3: interest on judgments
- Hawaii Child Support Enforcement Agency: enforcement
- 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 Hawaii statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Hawaii attorney.