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1. Where is the closest DCS office?

All offices are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Seattle Child Support Office
500 First Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98104
206-341-7000
800-526-8658

Tacoma Child Support Office
1949 South State Street, 3rd Floor
Tacoma, WA 98401
253-597-3700
800-345-9976

Everett Child Support Office
840 North Broadway
Everett, WA 98201
425-438-4800
800-729-7580

Olympia Child Support Office

243 Israel Road, TC3 5th Floor

Tumwater WA 98501
360-664-6900
800-345-9964

2. When will I receive a check?

Depending on the method of payment, receipt of payment may be delayed for two to four weeks.

3. I have a warrant. Now what? How do I quash my warrant?

If you ARE represented by counsel, you should contact your attorney for assistance and warrant quash procedures.

You may also turn yourself into the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, pay your bail amount plus a $60.00 fee. You will go through the normal booking process, released and be given a court date for the following week and you must show up for that court date.

4. Must I attend my monthly contempt review hearings?

Yes, you must attend your monthly contempt review hearings. If you fail to appear or fail to pay, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office may request that the court issue a bench warrant. If you have complied with all the terms of your previous review hearing, such as making an on-time payment or work search requirements, you may contact the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to determine if they will agree to excusing your absence at the monthly review hearing. If you cannot attend your hearing and are not excused, please contact the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office prior to 12:00pm on your court date to explain the reasons for your absence. The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will make efforts to relay this information to the court; however, the court may still issue a bench warrant in limited cases.

5. What is a Contempt Payment Agreement with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office?

The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office may offer an obligor a contempt payment agreement, also known as a “soft contempt”. The contempt payment agreement requires the obligor to make a series of payments by certain dates. If the payments are made in full and on-time, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office may return your contempt file to DCS and request that the court close your contempt file. You are still responsible for all current amount due, plus any past due amount. You will be required to coordinate with your DCS caseworker future payments. Generally, the contempt payment agreement gives the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office flexibility to enter into a unique agreement based upon your child support order, ability to pay, and other circumstances.

6. My License is suspended, how can I get it back?

The DCS may suspend your license if you are behind in your child support payments. The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office does not suspend any licenses and the decision to suspend rests solely with DCS. DCS can suspend any license issued by the State of Washington, including but not limited to:

• drivers’ licenses
• hunting licenses
• fishing licenses
• professional licenses
• contractor, or
• occupational licenses.

 If you owe child support you must sign a Repayment Agreement with DCS (or pay off the entire debt) to get your license back. Call DCS to ask about signing a repayment agreement and other options. In setting a repayment amount, DCS will look at your income and expenses, including the expenses of caring for any dependent children. You must provide DCS with complete information about your financial situation, including any extra expense you may have, including, but not limited to medical costs, costs for caring for a child who is disabled, etc. DCS may make you pay the first installment due under your repayment agreement before releasing your license. You must keep making your payments when due. If you do not make timely payments, DCS can suspend your license again.

7. As the parent receiving child support, am I required to appear for hearings?

The custodial parent is not required to appear at contempt hearings, although you are welcome to appear if you wish. Any information you would like the court to consider at the hearing, must be submitted to the court and the DCS Family Support Division in writing prior to the hearing in accordance with local court rules.

8. What is a Conference Board review?

A Conference Board review is an informal hearing to resolve grievances with DCS. It is an internal dispute resolution process for contesting DCS actions. Individuals are able to address some issues that they are not able to get a decision from anywhere else, such as a grievance about a DCS worker, request for deferral, review of payroll withholdings that cause hardship, and most commonly a request for a charge-off or waiver (decision not to collect child support obligation). Many Conference Board requests are for a write off of back support assigned to the State. Only debt owed to Washington state may be written off – No exceptions. However, there may be other options available, such as a settlement agreement between the custodial and non-custodial parents for amounts owed to the custodial parent.

Under some circumstances, Conference Boards may also set the monthly payment rate on back support. In setting a repayment amount, DCS will look at the individuals’ income and expenses, including the expense of caring for any dependent children. Obligors must provide DCS with complete information about their financial situation, including any extra expenses they may have.