US FederalHow does the federal government help locate parents who owe child support?
The federal government helps locate parents who owe child support through the Child Support Enforcement (CSE) program, which authorizes funding and mandates cooperation among state agencies, federal databases, and employers to identify and locate noncustodial parents.
What the Law Says
The Child Support Enforcement (CSE) program is federally authorized to help states locate noncustodial parents, establish paternity, obtain support orders, and collect payments. It operates as a partnership between federal, state, and local agencies.
Under 42 U.S.C. § 651, Congress authorized appropriations to enable states to operate child support enforcement programs. These programs must meet federal requirements—including locating absent parents—to receive matching federal funds.
The law emphasizes cooperation across jurisdictions: states must use tools like the Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS), Social Security Administration data, IRS information, and employment records to find parents who are avoiding support obligations.
Funding is provided on a matching basis—typically $4 federal dollars for every $1 state dollar—and is contingent on states maintaining effective location efforts and reporting outcomes to the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE).
Statutory TextFor the purpose of encouraging States to operate effective and efficient programs for the establishment of paternity and the establishment, modification, and enforcement of child support obligations...
— 42 U.S.C. § 651 — Child support enforcement programs
What to Do
Contact your state’s Child Support Enforcement agency (every state has one)
Provide any known information about the parent (e.g., last known address, employer, SSN, or aliases)
Consent to use of federal databases (FPLS, IRS, SSA) for location efforts
Request wage garnishment or income withholding once the parent is located
Ask about interstate enforcement if the parent lives in another state
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.