Washington child support laws require the parent with less than 50% parenting time to pay support. The state uses the Income Shares Model, and courts reference an Economic Table to determine monthly obligations based on combined parental income.
Last verified: February 2026
Quick Summary: Washington Child Support
- Model Used: Income Shares Model
- Governing Law: RCW Chapter 26.19
- Age of Termination: 18 (or 19 if still in high school)
- Minimum Support: $50 per month
- Income Cap: Economic table presumptive up to $50,000 combined monthly net income
- Agency: Division of Child Support (DCS), DSHS
Table of Contents
- How to Apply for Child Support in Washington
- How Is Paternity Established in Washington?
- How Is Child Support Determined in Washington?
- How to Calculate Child Support in Washington
- How to Modify Child Support in Washington
- What Happens If You Do Not Pay Child Support?
- How Long Do You Have to Pay Child Support?
- Frequently Asked Questions
How to Apply for Child Support in Washington
The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) administers child support services through its Division of Child Support (DCS). The DCS provides services including paternity establishment, support order creation, order review and modification, and payment collection.
To apply for child support services in Washington:
- Create a DSHS account online to request an application
- Download the Application for Support Enforcement Services (Form 18-078)
- Mail completed applications to: Division of Child Support Central Services, P.O. Box 11520, Tacoma, WA 98411
What to remember:
- The DCS responds to applications within 7 to 10 business days
- You can locate child support offices near you here
- Customer service is available at 1-800-457-6202
- The DCS does not provide legal representation to parents
How Is Paternity Established in Washington?
Washington child support laws under RCW 26.26A provide multiple ways to establish paternity:
- Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage: Both parents sign the acknowledgment form at the hospital or through the Department of Vital Statistics after childbirth.
- Court Order: Either parent may petition the superior court to order genetic testing.
- Administrative Establishment: Parents may petition the DCS for administrative paternity establishment.
- Marital Presumption: When a child is born to a married couple, the husband is presumed to be the father.
What to remember:
- Under RCW 26.26A.115(b), a man who openly holds a child as his own for the first four years may be presumed the father even without genetic proof
- Paternity establishment grants the child inheritance rights, potential veteran’s benefits, health insurance eligibility, and creates custody and visitation rights for the father
- A Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage is only valid if both parents sign it
How Is Child Support Determined in Washington?
Washington uses the Income Shares Model to calculate child support. Under RCW Chapter 26.19, both the courts and DSHS have authority to issue child support orders based on a standardized formula that considers:
- The gross monthly income of both parents
- The number of children in each household
- Health insurance costs for the children
- Work-related daycare expenses
- Any special needs of the child or parent
- The parenting time arrangement
How the Calculation Works
The court follows these steps to determine child support:
- Calculate gross monthly income for each parent from all sources (wages, salaries, bonuses, self-employment income, investments, etc.)
- Subtract allowable deductions including federal and state taxes, Social Security, mandatory union dues, and other required deductions to arrive at net income
- Combine both parents’ net incomes
- Reference the Economic Table in RCW 26.19.020 to find the basic support obligation based on combined income and number of children
- Allocate the obligation proportionally based on each parent’s share of combined income
The Economic Table is presumptive for combined monthly net incomes up to $50,000. When combined income exceeds this amount, the court may exceed the presumptive support amount based on written findings of fact.
Grounds for Deviation
Under RCW 26.19.075, judges may deviate from the standard calculation when the amount would be unjust or inappropriate. Reasons for deviation include:
- Income of other adults in the household
- Involuntarily incurred extraordinary debt
- Significant disparity in living costs due to uncontrollable factors
- Special educational, psychological, or medical needs of the children
- Extraordinary income of the child
- Tax advantages available to either parent
How to Calculate Child Support in Washington
Washington provides two official tools to estimate child support:
- Quick Child Support Estimator – For a basic estimate
- Automated Washington State Child Support Schedule Worksheet Calculator – For detailed calculations
You can also download the official Washington State Child Support Schedule (January 2026) for reference.
What to remember:
- Calculator estimates may differ from what a court ultimately orders
- The court commissioner, administrative judge, or superior court judge has final authority over the support amount
- The court may order one or both parents to provide medical coverage
- Out-of-court agreements require court approval to be enforceable
- The court may impute income for voluntarily unemployed or underemployed parents
- The minimum child support amount in Washington is $50 per month
How to Modify Child Support in Washington
Either parent may petition for a child support order review when circumstances change. A support order modification may result in an increase, decrease, or the obligation may remain the same.
Grounds for modification:
- A change of at least 25% or $100 from the current order amount
- Your order is at least 35 months old since the last review or establishment
- Substantial change in financial circumstances (job loss, income change, disability)
- Change in parenting time arrangement
- Change in daycare or medical costs
- Birth of another child
To request modification:
- For administrative orders served by DCS: Complete Form 9-280B Petition for Modification
- For court orders: Complete Form 9-471 Child Support Order Review Request
- Download modification forms here
If you are unsure about your order type, call 1-800-442-5437 for assistance.
What Happens If You Do Not Pay Child Support in Washington?
Washington child support laws authorize the DCS or courts to use various enforcement tools when parents fail to pay:
- Income Withholding: Automatic wage garnishment through the employer
- Liens: Liens may be placed on vehicles, real estate, and other property
- License Suspension: Driver’s licenses, professional licenses, and business licenses may be suspended or revoked
- Bank Account Seizure: Funds may be collected directly from bank accounts and other financial accounts
- Credit Bureau Reporting: Delinquent support may be reported to credit bureaus
- Passport Denial: Passports may be denied or revoked
- Tax Refund Interception: State and federal tax refunds may be intercepted
- Private Collection: Cases may be referred to private collection agencies
Criminal Non-Support in Washington
Under RCW 26.20.035(b), willful failure to pay child support is classified as a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in county jail and/or a fine up to $5,000.
Custodial parents may download contempt of court application forms here if the paying parent refuses to comply with the order.
How Long Do You Have to Pay Child Support in Washington?
Child support in Washington typically ends when the child:
- Turns 18 years old
- Graduates from high school (support may continue until age 19 if still enrolled)
- Becomes emancipated
- Gets married
- Joins the United States military
Your support order should specify the termination date. Support may continue indefinitely if the child has a severe mental or physical disability that prevents self-support.
Early Termination Options
At age 16, a minor in Washington may petition the juvenile court for emancipation. The minor must demonstrate they can manage their own financial and personal affairs. Consult with a family court attorney if you believe emancipation applies to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum child support payment in Washington?
The minimum child support amount in Washington is $50 per month.
How long does it take to get a child support order in Washington?
The DCS typically responds to applications within 7 to 10 business days. The entire process to establish an order can take several weeks to a few months depending on case complexity.
Can both parents be ordered to pay child support in Washington?
Yes. While typically the parent with less than 50% parenting time pays support to the other parent, courts can order both parents to contribute in certain circumstances, particularly for specific expenses like medical costs or educational needs.
What happens if I lose my job and cannot pay child support?
You should immediately petition the court or DCS for a modification. Continue making whatever payments you can. Do not simply stop paying, as arrears will accumulate and enforcement actions may begin.
Is overtime included in child support calculations?
Overtime and bonuses are generally included in gross income for child support calculations unless the court determines the overtime is irregular and not expected to continue.
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