Child Support

Title IV-D and Child Support Services: A Supportive Approach for Shelby County Families

Title IV-D of the Social Security Act symbolizes a commitment from the U.S. government to aid custodial parents in securing child support and health insurance for their children. This initiative involves a partnership with state governments, who in turn coordinate with county attorneys to streamline and manage the process of child support collection.

Child Support Division

Federal regulations necessitate that each state, including Kentucky, has an effective system for the administration and enforcement of child support. In line with this, Kentucky operates child support divisions in each county to offer comprehensive services such as:

Establishing paternity to ensure children's rights and support.
Setting and adjusting child support obligations to reflect fair and just contributions.
Instituting Medical Support Orders to cover children’s healthcare needs.
Monitoring child support payments for compliance and consistency.
Enforcing child support orders to uphold children's welfare.
Meeting Kentucky’s performance standards for child support services.

To start a child support case, Shelby County residents can reach out to our office.

Completing an application is the first step if Shelby County is the right jurisdiction for the case.

Required documents include:

1) a photo ID and

2) any existing court orders.

*If there’s no existing support order, the case typically proceeds through the Shelby Family Court.

We also offer assistance in cases where one parent resides outside Kentucky.

After a court order for child support is in place, our office ensures collection through methods like Wage Withholding Orders. These payments are carefully tracked and distributed. If there are challenges in compliance, we explore a range of legal remedies, always with the child’s best interest in mind.

Our office welcomes all residents of Shelby County, regardless of income. You can visit us by scheduling an appointment with our attorneys and caseworkers. Bringing detailed information about the non-custodial parent can significantly speed up the process.

Please be aware that our attorneys facilitate the application of Kentucky's child support laws, focusing on the fair and effective setting and collection of support. This role is distinct from that of a private attorney and does not create an attorney/client relationship.

Kentucky Child Support Enforcement

To serve your needs better, Kentucky Child Support Enforcement has an interactive website where you can apply for child support services, estimate a child support obligation, make your child support payments, report address changes, upload court orders and other legal documents, verify payment history and past due child support amounts and request updates on ongoing child support actions.

Kentucky Child Support Website

For frequently asked questions and answers as well as forms and information on:

Where to send child support payments
How to apply for child support enforcement services
How to request a review and modification
How to calculate your child support obligation
Private wage withholding cases
Support contacts
Custody and visitation hotline
Kentucky paternity acknowledgement program
Kentucky new hire reporting center
To print a child support application and other forms and information click the link below:

Child Support Enforcement - Cabinet for Health and Family Services (ky.gov)

How to make child support payments

You may make a payment online, by telephone, in person or by mail.

Pay online:

To pay online, login to your child support account at KentuckyChildSupport.ky.gov. You may pay using a checking account, savings account, debit card or credit card (Visa or Mastercard only). There is $2 fee for payments made by electronic check. There is a 3% fee for payments made by debit or credit card. If you do not have an online account, follow the instructions found in the handout titled “Kentucky Division of Child Support Enforcement Website, Taking Control of your Child Support Case.”

Pay by Telephone:

To pay by telephone, call your local child support office to see if they accept payments by phone or call the Child Support Hotline at (800) 248-1163 during regular business hours. You may pay by phone using a checking account, savings account, debit card or credit card (Visa or Mastercard only). There is $2 fee for payments made by electronic check. There is a 3% fee for payments made using a debit or credit card.

Pay in person:

We do not accept payments in person.

Pay by mail:

To pay by mail, send a personal check, money order or cashier’s check to the address below. Make the payment payable to Child Support Enforcement and write your name and child support IV-D number or social security number on the payment.

Child Support Enforcement

PO Box 14059

Lexington, Kentucky 40512

KENTUCKY CHILD SUPPORT INTERACTIVE

KCSI is an interactive website where individuals who pay or receive child support can manage their child support case.

Access child support case information 24/7 without having to call or stop by the local child support office. The information in the child support system used by local and state child support offices is the same information available on the KCSI website. There is no reason to call or visit the local office when you can access the same information online.
Parents ordered to pay child support can make child support payments online.
Individuals ordered to receive child support can update their electronic deposit information online.
Quickly view payments and account balances, provide employment information and address changes, view upcoming court dates and appointments, upload documents and send messages to your caseworker.

Contact your local child support office or the Child Support Hotline at (800) 248-1163 during regular business hours to provide your email address, verify your date of birth and obtain your child support identification number. On the next day, follow the instructions below:

Go to KCSI web address http://csws.chfs.ky.gov/csws/ and click on “My Account”
Verify page is for Kentucky Citizens and Create Account
Set up User Name (First.Last Name)
Enter the email address you provided to CSE and follow prompts to set up your password
Choose security questions and click “Submit”
You will receive an email with a link to verify your account. Click on the link in the email
You will be taken to the Gateway Login Page and will be asked to enter your username and password
You will be taken to the Access Request for Username and asked to authenticate your date of birth, child support ID number and email address
Once the email address is verified, you will receive a PIN by email
Enter your PIN in the final credential box and click “Submit.” After the PIN validates you have access to the KCSI site