Credit reporting agencies can include information about overdue child support in your credit report.
Updated 11/05/2025
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The law requires credit reporting agencies to include information about overdue child support in credit reports. Creditors and lenders may deny credit based on this information. In addition, sometimes creditors and lenders report the whereabouts of missing parents to child enforcement agencies.
When Child Support Information Might Find Its Way Into Your Credit Reports
Federal law requires reporting of overdue child support. (42 U.S.C. § 666(a)(7) (2025).) Many states and child support agencies report when arrears exceed $1,000. Sometimes, delinquencies lasting more than 60-90 days are reported.
Child Support Agencies Often Automatically Send Child Support Information to the Credit Bureaus
Many child support enforcement agencies automatically send information about the child support order to credit bureaus, even though payments are current.
Learn More About Credit Reporting and Enforcement of Child Support Obligations
For information on what to do if the reported information is incorrect, see Disputing Incomplete and Inaccurate Information in Your Credit Report. To learn how parents and government agencies can collect child support arrears, see our Enforcement of Child Support Obligations area.
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