Support Orders ›

International Child Support Cases

International child support cases are cases where one parent resides in Florida and the other parent resides in another country.

In cases where there is an international agreement between the United States and the country where the other parent resides, we can help to establish, enforce, or modify child support orders.

We cannot help with initiating or enforcing custody or visitation rights, initiating divorce proceedings, requesting spousal support or alimony, collecting spousal support or alimony if the other parent is paying only back child support, or any legal decisions about who the child lives with or parenting time. Those matters are handled through the family court system in the appropriate country and may require you to work with a private attorney or legal aid.

Countries Currently Working With The United States

The United States participates in international agreements, including the Hague Convention, to facilitate child support orders across countries.

See the list of countries currently working with the U.S.

Countries With No Agreement

We do not have the legal authority to assist with a child support case if the other parent resides in a country that does not have an agreement with the United States. Instead, you can contact the Department of State Office of American Consular Services to request a list of private attorneys in the other parent's country that may assist at your own expense.

Process For International Child Support Cases

Parents that live in Florida and have an international case sign up and provide us with the same information as a domestic case, such as the other parent's address and employer (if known).

We will send the child support request to the country where the other parent resides, and that country will process it. The other country's agency will send, receive, and process child support applications while working with its local agencies, courts, or legal systems to help move your case forward.

We will remain your primary point of contact throughout the process, communicate with the child support office in the other country on your behalf, and share with you any information they provide. In rare cases, the foreign agency or court may contact you directly. If they do, please contact us and provide copies of the communication received.

Payments

How To Receive International Payments

Payments are received by us from the international agency representing the parent who owes support. The international support payments are then processed through the State Disbursement Unit (SDU). After the payments are processed, they are disbursed to parents who are owed support through their preferred payment method.

How To Make Payments To Another Country

Parents who owe support payments to parents in another country make payments to the Florida State Disbursement Unit (SDU). After we receive the payment, we will disburse to the international agency representing the parent who is owed support. The international agency then disburses the money to the parent who is owed support through their standard procedure.