The Child Support Division is responsible for the establishment and enforcement of Child Support Orders, for the benefit of dependent Indiana children, as well as dependent children in other states.  The Child Support Division was established by a Federal law and operates under authority of both Federal and State law. The services of the office are available to all residents of St. Joseph County. These services include:

• Establishment of legal parentage for children born out of wedlock. After establishment, Court Orders will be entered, providing for child support payments, and payments of future medical expenses for children.
• Establishment of Child Support Orders when there is no existing order.
• Enforcement of existing Support Orders.
• Modification of existing Support Orders.
• Locating absent parents who are responsible for supporting their children.

Once established, Child Support Orders may be enforced by one or more of the following methods:

• Court proceedings
• Income Withholding to deduct Child Support payments from wages, including unemployment benefits.
• Reporting of Delinquent Support payers to credit agencies.
• Seizure of Federal and State Income tax refunds and lottery winnings.
• Driver's license and professional license suspensions.
• Placing liens on vehicles and other property of the nonpaying party.

Services may also include actions to enforce Child Support Orders in other states and foreign countries. Services of the Child Support Office are limited to matters involving Child Support only.  We do not get involved in visitation or custody issues. 

The Child Support Office is divided into three units: Establishment, Support, and Enforcement. This system provides a continuous support system starting with paternity establishment; early intervention services for those parents who are not making consistent child support payments; maintaining communication with both custodial and non-custodial parents; and holding accountable those parents who refuse to support their children. For information on which Child Support caseworker will be assigned to assist you, please visit our Caseworker page.

If you are receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), there is no cost for the service, and upon receipt of TANF benefits, your case will automatically be referred to the office for appropriate action, at no cost.

If you are receiving Hoosier Healthwise/Medicaid benefits, you are entitled to the services of the office at no cost. However, you must specifically request these services in writing.

If you are not receiving any form of public assistance, you may still apply for services. Upon appointment, you will be required to pay a one-time fee of $25.00

In order to receive the Child Support Services of the Prosecutor's Office, it is very important that all necessary and required information be provided by the person applying for services. During the application process, some requested information may seem overly personal. Please keep in mind that this information is necessary to provide the best possible service in your case. All cases in the Prosecutor's Office are considered confidential.  If you do not currently have a child support case with the prosecutor’s office and want to apply for services you can do so by downloading a copy, filing it out and bringing it to our office.  Failure to completely fill out the form will cause delays in scheduling an appointment for services.   Your future caseworker will send you a letter setting date and time.  Download information from Child Support Services:

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St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office
Child Support Division
Phone: 574-235-9786