What is a Full Service Child Support Case?

For a fee of $20.00 a custodial parent may become a full-service customer. That means that the child support order entered by the Rhode Island Family Court or another State Court or tribunal, will be entered on the Child Support computer system. Once entered all child support payments must be payable to the Rhode Island Family Court through wage withholding. The child support payment is taken from the employee's wages by the employer and remitted to the Rhode Island Family Court. All payments and all disbursements are also posted for a full record of your case. The child support payment will be mailed to you; or if you choose direct deposit, the payment will be electronically deposited in your designated checking or savings account. When the child support payments are past due, the following enforcement tools will be instituted for a full-service customer when certain conditions are met:

• Credit bureau reporting
  
• Driver's license suspension
  
• Passport denial
  
• Bank liens and other personal property liens
  
• Real estate liens
  
• Insurance intercept
  
• Contempt proceedings
  
• Lottery intercept
  
• Income Tax Refund intercept
  
• Criminal prosecution
  

These enforcement tools are explained fully under Enforcement. You will be required to keep us informed of your residential and business' address at all times as well as any direct payments received by the non custodial parent. Receipt of direct payments from the non-custodial parent without going through the court is not permitted and violates the court order. However, if you do receive a direct payment you must contact this office immediately or complete an affidavit of direct payments and mail it to this office, otherwise the non-custodial parent's account will be incorrect and enforcement will take place inappropriately.

What is a Bookkeeping Only Case?

If the Rhode Island Family Court has issued a child support order for the benefit of your children, and you do not wish to be a full service customer of the Office of Child Support Services, your payments will still be by wage withholding, witheld by the employer and payable to the Rhode Island Family Court. The payments will still be posted on the Office of Child Support Services system called "InRhodes" and disbursed by the Office of Child Support Services. You may still choose direct deposit if you are a bookkeeping only case. However, no enforcement actions will take place nor can you contact the Office of Child Support Services for assistance in collecting the child support. You must become a full-service customer to do so.

What are the Benefits of Having a Full-service Case?

First and foremost, all enforcement takes place automatically and simultaneously. You do not have to call the agency to request enforcement. It occurs when certain conditions are met.

How do I Become a Full-Service Customer?

There are two ways to become a full-service customer. First, you may complete a CSS-1 form available at the court and attach a $20.00 check or money order. The form must be completed accurately and completely.

Second, you may request an application for services by phone or download an application from the Web site. Fill out the application accurately and completely. Send it with a check for $20.00 made payable to The Office of Child Support Services.
You must keep the agency informed of any and all changes in your residential or business address as well as any changes about the non-custodial parent. You may download the change of address form.