Where to send your Tennessee child support payment

Tennessee child support payments go to the Tennessee Child Support Centralized Collection Unit (TCCCU), not directly to the other parent. This is true whether you pay through wage withholding, a bank account debit, or a check. The TCCCU processes all payments, records them against your case, and forwards the money to the custodial parent or their representative.

The mailing address for checks or money orders is on your court order or payment notice. You can also pay online through the state's payment portal, which is the fastest way to ensure your payment is recorded the same day. If you pay by mail, allow 7 to 10 business days for the payment to reach the TCCCU and post to your account.

If your employer withholds child support from your paycheck, you do not need to do anything — the withholding goes directly to TCCCU. This is the most common payment method in Tennessee and the one least likely to result in missed or late payments.

Key Takeaways

  • All Tennessee child support payments are processed through the state's Centralized Collection Unit, which records the payment and forwards it to the custodial parent.
  • You can pay online through the state portal, by mail, or through wage withholding from your employer — online is fastest and most reliable.
  • If you cannot pay the full amount due, contact the TCCCU or the child support office that handles your case before the payment is late.
  • Your payment record is tracked by case number, so use the correct case number on every payment to avoid delays or posting errors.
  • If your income changes or you lose your job, you can request a modification of your child support order through the court.

Payment methods and how they work

Tennessee offers four main ways to pay child support. Wage withholding is the default method — your employer deducts the amount from your paycheck and sends it to TCCCU. This happens automatically once the court order is entered, and you do not need to take any action. Wage withholding is the most reliable because it happens before you receive your pay.

Online payment through the state portal is the second option. You log in with your case number and pay by debit card or bank account transfer. The fee varies depending on the payment method — debit card payments typically cost more than bank transfers. Payments posted online are recorded the same business day.

Check or money order by mail is slower but costs nothing. Write your case number on the check and mail it to the address on your payment notice. Phone payment is also available through the TCCCU; you can call to pay by debit card or bank account, though a processing fee applies. Do not send cash through the mail.

What happens if you miss or are late on a payment

If you miss a child support payment, the TCCCU will report it to the Tennessee Department of Human Services. After 30 days past due, the case may be referred for enforcement action. This can include wage garnishment beyond the normal withholding, suspension of your driver's license, interception of tax refunds, or a hold on professional licenses.

If you know you cannot make a payment on time, contact the child support office that handles your case before the due date. Explain your situation — job loss, medical emergency, or temporary income reduction. You can request a temporary payment plan or ask the court to modify your order if your circumstances have changed permanently. Paying late is better than not paying at all, but contacting the office first shows good faith and may prevent enforcement action.

If you have fallen behind on payments, you can also request a modification hearing. The court can lower your monthly obligation if your income has dropped, but you must file the request through the court — the TCCCU cannot change the order on its own. Arrears (unpaid past support) do not disappear when you modify the order; you still owe them, but the monthly amount going forward may be reduced.

Modifying your child support order

If your income has changed — you lost your job, took a pay cut, or your hours were reduced — you can request a modification of your child support order. In Tennessee, you can ask for a modification if there has been a material change in circumstances since the order was entered. A material change is usually a change in income of 10 percent or more, or a change in custody or visitation.

To request a modification, file a petition with the court that issued your original order. You will need to provide recent pay stubs, tax returns, or other proof of your current income. The other parent will be notified and can respond. If you both agree to the new amount, the court can enter an agreed order quickly. If you disagree, a hearing will be scheduled.

While your modification is pending, you are still required to pay the current amount. If you stop paying or pay less before the court approves the modification, you can be held in contempt. The modification takes effect on the date the court signs the new order, not the date you filed the request.

Understanding your payment notice and case number

Your payment notice is the document that tells you how much to pay, when it is due, and where to send it. It includes your case number, which is critical — you must use this number on every payment so the TCCCU knows which case the money is for. If you lose your notice, you can find your case number by calling the child support office or logging into the online payment portal.

The payment notice also lists the child support office that handles your case. This is the office you contact if you have questions about your balance, need to request a modification, or want to set up a payment plan. Different counties have different offices, so make sure you are contacting the right one for your case.

Your payment notice may also show arrears — money you owe from past months. Current support (the monthly amount) and arrears are tracked separately. When you make a payment, it typically goes to current support first, then to arrears. Some payment plans allow you to pay arrears on a different schedule than current support.

Wage withholding and employer deductions

Wage withholding is automatic in Tennessee child support cases. Once the court enters an order, it sends a withholding notice to your employer. Your employer then deducts the child support amount from your paycheck each pay period and sends it to TCCCU. You will see the deduction on your pay stub labeled as "child support" or "court-ordered deduction."

The amount withheld cannot exceed 50 percent of your disposable income (the amount left after taxes and other required deductions). If you have multiple child support orders, the total withholding across all orders still cannot exceed 50 percent. If you have other court-ordered obligations like alimony or student loans, those are factored in as well.

If you change jobs, your new employer must receive a withholding notice. The old employer stops withholding once they no longer have you on payroll. There is usually a gap of a few days to a few weeks between jobs when withholding does not happen — this is why it is important to make a manual payment during that time if possible. If you do not, you will fall behind and may owe a late fee or face enforcement action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay child support online in Tennessee?

Yes. The state operates an online payment portal where you can pay by debit card or bank account transfer using your case number. Payments posted online are recorded the same business day. A processing fee applies, which varies by payment method — bank transfers usually cost less than debit card payments.

What if I lose my job and cannot pay?

Contact the child support office that handles your case immediately. You can request a temporary payment plan or file a petition to modify your order based on the change in income. You must file the modification request through the court — the office cannot change the order on its own. Continue to pay what you can while the modification is pending.

Does my payment go directly to the other parent?

No. All payments go to the Tennessee Child Support Centralized Collection Unit first. TCCCU records the payment against your case and then forwards the money to the custodial parent or their representative. This protects both parents by creating an official record of all payments.

What if my employer did not withhold child support from my paycheck?

Contact the child support office that handles your case and report it. The office will send a new withholding notice to your employer. If your employer continues to ignore the withholding order, the office can take enforcement action against the employer. In the meantime, make a manual payment to avoid falling behind.

Can I get a refund if I overpay?

If you pay more than you owe in a single month, the overpayment is usually credited to future months or to arrears if you have them. If you have a large overpayment and want a refund, contact the TCCCU to request one. Refunds can take several weeks to process.