What a Support Payment Clearinghouse Does
A support payment clearinghouse is a state-run or state-contracted agency that sits between you and the person receiving your payment. You send money to the clearinghouse; the clearinghouse records it, takes a small fee, and forwards it to the recipient. The clearinghouse also tracks whether payments arrived on time, how much you still owe, and sends notices to both sides about the status of the account.
Every state runs its own clearinghouse, usually called the State Disbursement Unit or SDU. Some states call it the Payment Center or Collection and Disbursement Unit. The clearinghouse is not the court, not your employer, and not a collection agency—it is a neutral processing hub. Its job is to create a record that a judge or enforcement officer can use later if a payment is missed or disputed.
You are required to send child support or spousal support through the clearinghouse if a court order says so, or if your state's law requires it (most do). Sending money directly to the recipient, even if you both agree, does not count as a legal payment and can leave you vulnerable to enforcement action.
Key Takeaways
- The clearinghouse is your state's official payment processor for court-ordered support; you must use it even if you and the recipient prefer to handle money privately.
- You can pay by check, money order, electronic transfer, or payroll deduction, depending on what your state's clearinghouse accepts.
- The clearinghouse charges a small fee per transaction (usually $1 to $3) and keeps a detailed record of every payment for court use.
- Payments typically reach the recipient within one to three business days, but the clearinghouse records the payment on the day it receives it, not the day the recipient gets it.
- If you miss a payment, the clearinghouse reports it to the state enforcement office, which can then pursue wage garnishment, license suspension, or other penalties.
How Money Moves Through the Clearinghouse
The path depends on how you choose to pay. If your employer deducts support from your paycheck, the money goes directly from payroll to the clearinghouse—you never handle it. If you pay yourself, you send a check, money order, or electronic payment to the clearinghouse's address or online portal. The clearinghouse receives it, records the date and amount, deducts its fee, and then sends the remainder to the recipient's bank account or mails a check.
The timing matters for your record. The clearinghouse records the payment on the day it receives the money, not the day you send it or the day the recipient gets it. If you mail a check on the 15th but the clearinghouse does not receive it until the 18th, your payment is recorded as late if it was due on the 15th. Electronic payments and payroll deductions are recorded the same day they arrive at the clearinghouse, which is usually one to two business days after you initiate them.
The recipient sees the money in their account one to three business days after the clearinghouse processes it. During that gap, the clearinghouse holds the funds. This delay is why some recipients push for direct payment—they want the money faster. But direct payment is not legally valid, and the clearinghouse's record is what protects you if there is ever a dispute about whether you paid.
Payment Methods and Where to Send Money
Most state clearinghouses accept multiple payment methods. Payroll deduction is the most common and most reliable—your employer sends the money automatically, and there is no risk of a late payment because of mail delays. Electronic payment through the clearinghouse's website or a third-party processor (often a company like Lockbox or a state's online portal) is the next fastest option and usually costs the same as a check.
Check and money order payments work but carry timing risk. You must mail them to the clearinghouse's address, and postal delays can push your payment past the due date. Some clearinghouses accept phone or in-person payments at local offices, but these are less common. A few states allow credit card or debit card payments through their online portal, though they often charge an extra fee (2 to 3 percent) for this convenience.
Find your state's clearinghouse address and accepted payment methods on your state's child support enforcement website. The website also usually has an online account where you can check your balance, see past payments, and download payment history for your records. If you cannot find the website, call your state's child support enforcement office and ask for the clearinghouse contact information.
Fees and What They Cover
The clearinghouse charges a small fee per transaction, usually between $1 and $3. Some states charge a flat fee per payment; others charge a percentage of the amount (rare). The fee is deducted from your payment before it reaches the recipient, so if you owe $500 and the fee is $2, the recipient gets $498. A few states absorb the fee themselves and do not pass it to you, but most do.
The fee covers the cost of processing, recording, and storing payment data. It also funds the clearinghouse's ability to generate reports for courts, enforcement officers, and both parties. If you pay through payroll deduction, your employer may also charge a small fee (usually $1 to $2 per deduction), which is separate from the clearinghouse fee. Check your pay stub to see if this is happening.
If you cannot afford the fee, you can still make the payment—the clearinghouse will not refuse it. But the fee will be deducted, so the recipient will receive less. There is no fee waiver process for support payments, unlike some other court fees.
What Happens if You Miss a Payment
The clearinghouse does not enforce payments—it only records them. But it reports missed payments to your state's child support enforcement office, usually within one to two weeks of the due date. Once the enforcement office is notified, they can take action: wage garnishment (up to 50 to 65 percent of your disposable income, depending on your state), license suspension (driver's license, professional license, or both), tax refund interception, or a contempt of court filing.
The clearinghouse's record is the evidence used in enforcement. If you claim you paid but the clearinghouse has no record, the enforcement officer will assume you did not pay. This is why you must keep your own copies of payment confirmations—receipts from the clearinghouse, bank statements showing the transfer, or payroll stubs showing the deduction. If there is a discrepancy between what you sent and what the clearinghouse recorded, you will need proof to correct it.
If you fall behind, contact the clearinghouse and the enforcement office immediately. Some states allow you to request a payment plan or a temporary reduction in the amount due. The sooner you act, the less likely enforcement action becomes. Ignoring missed payments will not make them go away; they accumulate, and penalties compound.
Disputing a Payment or Correcting an Error
If the clearinghouse recorded a payment incorrectly—for example, it shows you paid late when you actually paid on time, or it shows you did not pay when you did—you can file a dispute. Contact your state's clearinghouse directly with proof: a bank statement, a cancelled check, a receipt from an electronic payment, or a payroll stub. The clearinghouse will investigate and correct the record if your proof is valid.
Disputes usually take two to four weeks to resolve. During that time, the incorrect record may still be reported to enforcement. If enforcement action has already started because of the error, you will need to bring your proof to court or to the enforcement officer to stop it. This is why keeping your own payment records is critical—do not rely on the clearinghouse's record alone.
If the clearinghouse deducted the wrong fee or processed a payment twice, contact them in writing (email or certified mail) and include copies of the relevant transactions. Request a refund or a credit to your account. Most clearinghouses will correct obvious errors within 30 days, though some take longer.
How the Clearinghouse Protects Both Sides
The clearinghouse creates a neutral, auditable record. For you, it proves you paid and when. For the recipient, it proves they received the money and when. Neither side can claim the other did not pay if the clearinghouse has a record. This protection is why courts require the use of a clearinghouse instead of allowing direct payment.
The clearinghouse also handles cases where the recipient's address changes or they move out of state. The clearinghouse can forward payments to a new address or transfer the case to another state's clearinghouse if the recipient relocates. This continuity means you do not have to track down a new mailing address or worry about payments getting lost.
If you and the recipient agree to modify the support amount, the court order must be changed first. The clearinghouse will not accept a lower payment just because you both agree—it will record it as a partial payment and report it as a missed payment. Always go through the court to change the order, then notify the clearinghouse of the new amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay the recipient directly instead of using the clearinghouse?
No, not legally. If a court order requires support, you must use the clearinghouse. Direct payments do not count as legal payments and will not protect you if the recipient claims they never received the money or if enforcement action is taken. The only exception is if the court order specifically allows direct payment, which is rare and must be in writing.
What if I pay through the clearinghouse but the recipient says they never got the money?
The clearinghouse's record proves you paid. Ask the clearinghouse for a payment confirmation or receipt showing the date and amount processed. If the recipient's bank account did not receive it, that is a clearinghouse error, not your problem—contact the clearinghouse to investigate. Do not pay again until the first payment is traced.
How long does it take for the recipient to see the money after I pay?
Usually one to three business days. Payroll deductions and electronic payments are fastest (one to two days). Mailed checks are slowest (three to seven days, depending on postal delays). The clearinghouse records your payment on the day it receives it, so you are on time even if the recipient does not see the money for a few more days.
Can the clearinghouse take a payment if I owe back support?
Yes. The clearinghouse will accept current payments and apply them to your current obligation. Back support (arrears) is handled separately by the enforcement office. If you want to pay down arrears, contact the enforcement office directly and ask how to do so. Some states allow you to pay arrears through the clearinghouse; others require a separate payment.
What if I move to a different state?
Notify your state's child support enforcement office and the clearinghouse of your new address. Your case may be transferred to your new state's clearinghouse, or you may continue paying through your original state's clearinghouse. Either way, the payment record follows you, and you must continue paying on time. Changing states does not pause or cancel your obligation.