How Missouri Collects Unpaid Child Support: Wage Garnishment, License Suspension and Passport Denial
If you don’t pay child support in Missouri, withholding becomes mandatory at one month behind, a license can be suspended 60 days after notice when arrears reach three months or $2,500, and liens and passport denial are available.
What happens if you don’t pay child support in Missouri?
The Family Support Division can issue an order directing employers to withhold, and if the obligor is one month behind, withholding applies without exception (RSMo 454.505.1). The division can also use liens, license suspension, tax intercepts, passport denial and court enforcement.
Can Missouri garnish wages?
Yes, up to the federal 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% |
When can a license be suspended?
When the obligor is not making support payments as ordered and owes an arrearage of three months of support or $2,500, whichever is less, as of the date a notice of intent to suspend is served. In a case that is not IV-D, the obligee petitions the court; in a IV-D case, the director or a court at the director’s request issues the notice. The notice must say the license will be suspended 60 days after service unless the obligor pays the whole arrearage, enters and complies with a payment plan or requests a hearing (454.1003). Only a court can suspend a business, professional or occupational license.
What does the hearing look at?
The court or director considers the obligor’s identity, whether the arrearage meets the threshold, whether there is a payment plan, the ability to have made and to make the payments, and the reasons the obligor needs the license, such as transporting family members to work, school or medical care; suspension is stayed while the hearing is pending (454.1005).
What liens can attach?
A workers’ compensation lien can be filed if delinquent support exceeds $100 (454.517). A lien that blocks a certificate of title can be registered against a vehicle, boat, motor, manufactured home or trailer if unpaid support exceeds $1,000 and the property is worth more than $3,000 (454.516).
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 Missouri arrears calculator warns when the unpaid principal passes that figure.
What if the support was assigned to the state?
Support rights assigned to the state are an obligation owed to the state by the person responsible and are collectible through all legal processes (RSMo 454.410).
Does the license definition include driver’s licenses?
Yes. A license includes one issued by a licensing authority for a business, occupation, profession or recreation, and includes licenses to operate motor vehicles under chapter 302, but not motor vehicle registrations or Department of Conservation licenses (454.1000).
What should you do if you owe?
Respond to every notice within 60 days, ask the court or division for a payment plan, add up the balance in the Missouri child support arrears calculator and, if your circumstances changed, file and serve a motion to modify right away.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if you don’t pay child support in Missouri?
Withholding, liens, license suspension, passport denial and court enforcement.
How much of my paycheck can Missouri 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 long do I have to respond to a Missouri license notice?
Sixty days from service, to pay, enter a payment plan or request a hearing.
Can Missouri suspend my driver’s license for unpaid child support?
Yes, after the notice and hearing process, when the arrearage meets the threshold.
When can the passport of a Missouri parent who owes child support be denied?
When arrears above $2,500 are certified under federal law.
Official sources
- RSMo 454.520: interest on delinquent support
- RSMo 454.505: wage withholding
- RSMo 454.1003: license suspension
- RSMo 454.1005: license suspension hearing
- RSMo 454.517: workers’ compensation lien
- RSMo 454.516: lien on vehicles
- 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 Missouri statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Missouri attorney.