Child Support in NYC: Immigrants Can Apply Regardless of Status
Many immigrant parents in New York do not know they can ask the government for child support — without showing any immigration documents. The city's Office of Child Support Services explicitly serves all parents regardless of status. Here is how the process works and what you need to do.
Any Parent in NYC Can Get Child Support — No Matter Their Immigration Status
In New York, both parents are legally required to support their children until the child turns 21. That includes food, clothing, medical care, and education. If one parent is not paying, the other parent — or a legal guardian — can file a child support claim with the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS). Importantly, OCSS serves all parents and guardians regardless of immigration status. You do not need a green card, a work permit, or any specific visa to open a case.
To start a case in New York City, you can apply online through the New York State online enrollment portal. You can also apply in person at a Family Court location or through a borough office. If you receive public cash assistance, you will likely be scheduled for an intake interview at your borough's OCSS office. If you do not receive cash assistance, you can go directly to a Family Court intake office. Once you apply, OCSS helps identify the other parent, confirm legal parentage — including through DNA testing if needed — and move the case to Family Court, where a judge sets the payment amount based on income and the child's needs.
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How Payments Are Set and Enforced
After a child support order is issued, OCSS manages collection and enforcement. You can use the Child Support Calculator on the NYC website to estimate how much the non-custodial parent (the parent who does not live with the child) may be required to pay. If your situation changes — for example, if a parent loses a job or income changes — you can ask OCSS to modify the existing order. You can reach OCSS by phone, email, mail, or in person at customer service centers.
For non-custodial parents who have an NYC child support case and need help finding work, the Career Track program offers jobs and training in construction, transportation, healthcare, HVAC, IT, and cybersecurity. The program also provides career coaching, resume help, and interview practice. To apply, email careertrack@hra.nyc.gov with your full name, NYC child support case ID, and current contact information.
What to Do
- Apply online through the New York State enrollment portal or visit a Family Court intake office in your borough — no immigration documents are required to open a case.
- Gather documents about the child's needs and both parents' income before your intake interview, as the court uses this information to set the payment amount.
- If paternity has not been legally established, OCSS can coordinate DNA testing through its Paternity Services unit — you do not need to arrange this on your own.
- Call the NYS Child Support Helpline at 888-208-4485 (or 866-875-9975 for the hearing impaired), available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., for help with your case.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
Immigrant parents — including undocumented individuals — have the legal right to seek child support in New York, and OCSS is prohibited from asking about or reporting your immigration status. If you are worried about appearing in court, know that family court proceedings for child support are civil matters, not criminal, and attending does not create an immigration enforcement risk in most circumstances. That said, if you have an open immigration case or removal order, lawyers recommend consulting an immigration attorney before any court appearance to understand your specific situation.