Child Support Enforcement

The Support Enforcement Division (SED) of the DA's Office helps children receive financial support from both parents and fosters the strengthening of families by connecting them to community services. Our office represents the interests of the State of Oregon. We do not represent either party. For legal advice please contact your private attorney.

Procedures

Support orders can usually be established or modified within 6 months. If hearings are requested, a party is difficult to serve, or if paternity testing is requested, then it can take longer. Throughout the process, you should:

• Notify our office of any change of your address and phone number or the address and phone number of the other party.
• Contact our office if payments are made directly to you instead of through the Child Support Accounting Unit.
• Provide all the information you have about the non-custodial parent.
• Provide copies of all support orders, when requested. Signed copies are preferable and are required for some processes.
• Keep our office advised of any legal proceedings or orders that are taken on your case through a private attorney.
• Advise our office if your child becomes self-supporting, joins the military, marries, changes custody, is adopted, or dies.

Collection Tools

If support is not received, then SED may use various collection tools including:

• Wage withholding
• State and Federal Tax refund intercepts
• Credit Bureau reporting
• Unemployment and Worker's Compensation withholding
• Bank garnishments
• License suspension
• Administrative and judicial enforcement, including Judgment debtor examinations and contempt of court, as appropriate.

Locations

If you need assistance completing the necessary forms and you live in Portland, or other parts of Multnomah County, please contact our downtown office:

Support Enforcement Division - Downtown Office
Portland Building
1120 S.W. Fifth Avenue, Room 1530
Portland, Oregon 97204

Phone: (503) 988-3150
Fax: (503) 988-3160

The Portland Building is located in downtown Portland on S.W. Fifth Avenue between S.W. Main Street and S.W. Madison Street.

If you live in the Gresham area and need assistance, please contact our Gresham office:

Support Enforcement Division - Gresham Office
State of Oregon - DHS Branch Office Building
912 N.E. Kelly Avenue
Gresham, Oregon 97030

Phone: (503) 988-5321
Fax: (503) 988-5338

The Department of Human Services (DHS) Branch Office Building is located in Gresham on N.E. Kelly Avenue between N.E. Division Street and N.E. Ninth Street.