How Maryland Collects Unpaid Child Support: License Suspension, Wage Garnishment and Passport Denial
If you don’t pay child support in Maryland, the Administration can seek driver’s license suspension at 120 days or more out of compliance and certify arrears over $150 for a refund offset, after notices that give you rights to an investigation and appeal.
What happens if you don’t pay child support in Maryland?
The Child Support Administration can use established legal processes to enforce orders, including notices of arrearage, driver’s license suspension, refund offset and other remedies (Family Law 10-108). A court can enforce by contempt, and federal law adds income withholding limits and passport certification above $2,500.
When can the MVA suspend a driver’s license?
The Administration may notify the Motor Vehicle Administration of an obligor 120 days or more out of compliance with the most recent court order in an assigned case or one where the recipient applied for enforcement. The MVA must then suspend the license or privilege to drive and may issue a work-restricted license (10-119(b)).
What are your rights before suspension?
The Administration must first send written notice of the proposed action and your right to request an investigation on these grounds: the reported arrearage is inaccurate; suspension would impede your current or potential employment; or suspension would cause undue hardship because of a documented disability resulting in verified inability to work, or inability to comply with the order. You can appeal the result to the Office of Administrative Hearings within 20 days (10-119(c)). If you reach a payment agreement or a court orders scheduled payments, the Administration may not send your name to the MVA.
When does the Administration warn you?
If it sends a notice of arrearage within the first 120 days you are in arrears, the notice must say continued arrearage may result in revocation or denial of a license under 10-119.3 (10-108(c)). Read every notice.
What about tax refunds?
Each year the Administration may certify to the State Comptroller an obligor in arrears of more than $150 under the court order; you can ask for an investigation of the arrearage, and the Comptroller then withholds and pays over the refund (10-113).
Can Maryland garnish wages?
Support orders are enforced by income withholding, and federal law sets the outer limits: 50% or 60%, and 55% or 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% |
What about passports?
If a state agency certifies that a person owes child support arrearages of more than $2,500, federal law requires refusal of a passport (42 U.S.C. 652(k)). The Maryland arrears calculator warns when the unpaid principal passes that figure.
What should you do if you owe?
Respond to every notice, ask the Administration for a payment agreement, add up the balance in the Maryland child support arrears calculator and, if your circumstances changed, file a motion to modify right away.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if you don’t pay child support in Maryland?
The Administration can seek license suspension, refund offset and other remedies, and a court can use contempt.
How much of my paycheck can Maryland take for child support?
Federal law limits it to 50% or 60% of disposable earnings, and 55% or 65% for support more than 12 weeks overdue.
How can I stop Maryland driver's license suspension?
Request an investigation on the listed grounds, reach a payment agreement, or get a court order for scheduled payments.
How long do I have to appeal a Maryland MVA decision?
Twenty days after notice of the investigation results, to the Office of Administrative Hearings.
When can the passport of a Maryland parent who owes child support be denied?
When arrears above $2,500 are certified under federal law.
Official sources
- Md. Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings 11-107: legal rate of interest on a judgment
- Md. Code, Family Law 10-102: three-year limit for contempt
- Md. Code, Family Law 10-119: driver’s license suspension
- Md. Code, Family Law 10-119.3: licensing authority information
- Md. Code, Family Law 10-113: Comptroller certification
- Md. Code, Family Law 10-112: settlement of arrearages
- Md. Code, Family Law 12-104.1: incarceration
- 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 Maryland statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Maryland attorney.