Child Support

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Child Support
Definition of Child Support: Child Support is the contribution a parent makes for their children towards care, living expenses, and medical support. All of Minnesota's 87 counties are federally mandated to provide child support services for families regardless of the family's socioeconomic status. Child support includes:

  • Basic support
  • Child care support
  • Medical support

Collection Support Services: 
Big Stone County Child Support agency provides a variety of services to assist in the collection of child support. Services include: 

  • Establishing paternity / legally naming the father of a child born outside of marriage
  • Establishing a court order for child support
  • Modifying an existing child support order
  • Enforcing an existing child support order
  • Locating parents for child support
  • Identifying and verifying sources of income for child support
  • Collecting and processing payments
Services Not Available:  The following services are not available from the County:
  • Legal advice
  • Legal separation or divorce
  • Establishing or enforcing custody or parenting time/visitation
  • Collecting unpaid bills or debts not related to child support obligations.


How to Apply:  You may apply for child support services if a minor child lives in your household, if the child is financially dependent on you, and if a parent is absent from the home. If you are applying for or are receiving public assistance in Big Stone County, your application for child support services will automatically be referred to us. If you would like to apply for our non-public assistance child support services, you must complete an application.

Where to Apply:  A person needing child support help may apply for child support services in Big Stone County in the following ways.

  • Online application- Click on Application for Child Support Services and sign up online. 
  • By mail- Call (320) 839-2555 to request an application be mailed to you.
  • In person- Visit the
    • Big Stone County Family Services
      340 2nd Street NW
      Ortonville, MN 56278
  • Download a paper application form(English) from the Minnesota Child Support Enforcement Division website.   This form is available in Hmong, Somali and Spanish.   
    • Please mail the completed forms to:
      Big Stone County Family Services
      340 2nd Street NW
      Ortonville, MN 56278
    • Or the county the court order was issued.
    • Or put them into the Dropbox located outside of the Health and Human Services Building (above address).

Links to additional information



Frequently Asked Questions

Why haven't I received a payment for a while?   There are a number of reasons for a delay in payment:
  - The non custodial parent may have switched jobs;
  - The non custodial parent may not have worked the prior week and there is no money for the payor of funds to send in to the state of MN Child Support Payment Center;
  - There are many other reasons that may require our office to contact the payor of the funds.

How do I make a child support payment?  Payment options are listed on the Minnesota Department of Human Services website.

How can I get payment information on my case?  You can find payment information on your case at the Minnesota Child Support Online system.

What is the other parents' address and place of employment?  This is private data and cannot be shared.

How do I sign up for direct deposit?  You can sign up by registering at the Child Support Direct Deposit Website.

How do I establish/change custody/parenting time?  You may consult a private attorney for legal advice. (This Child Support office does not have authority in this area.)

For additional information on the child support program, visit the Minnesota Department of Human Services Web site at  www.childsupport.dhs.state.mn.us  or email Big Stone County child support staff [email protected].