Child support is administered state-by-state under the federal Title IV-D program, with every state required to operate a Child Support Enforcement (CSE) agency. For custodial mothers, these agencies establish paternity, locate non-custodial parents, calculate orders under state guidelines, and enforce payments through wage garnishment, tax refund intercept, license suspension, and contempt actions. Services are free of charge. Mothers can also pursue retroactive support and modifications when income changes. The federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) oversees the program. This directory includes each state's CSE agency, online support calculators, local enforcement offices, and modification resources.
Delaware Family Court handles custody, visitation, and child support statewide through three county courthouses (New Castle, Kent, Sussex). The Division of Child Support Services operates under DSS. Wilmington and Dover are the population centers. Community Legal Aid Society (CLASI), Legal Services Corporation of Delaware, and the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence support women.
DCSS establishes paternity, sets and enforces support orders, and collects payments through wage withholding for custodial mothers statewide. The main intake line is 302-577-7171; you can also apply online through DHSS. Bring the child's birth certificate, the noncustodial parent's last-known address and employer, and your own ID to open a case.
302-577-7171 · P.O. Box 11223, Wilmington, DE 19850 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website
TANF provides monthly cash assistance to low-income Delaware mothers with children. Recipients are automatically referred to DCSS to pursue child support, with collections offsetting the TANF grant. Call 800-372-2022 to begin the application; expect a Helping Families employment plan as part of ongoing eligibility.
800-372-2022 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website
The Family Court self-help center publishes free, fillable petitions for establishing support, modifying existing orders, and contempt actions. Mothers can file in person at 500 N King St in Wilmington or by mail. Call 302-255-0850 for procedural questions; clerks cannot give legal advice but will check your packet for completeness.
302-255-0850 · 500 N King St, Wilmington, DE 19801 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website
NCSEA is the professional association for child support workers and policy analysts. The public-facing resources explain how interstate enforcement and federal Title IV-D funding work — useful context for Delaware mothers whose case crosses state lines or stalls administratively.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The federal OCSS directory provides direct phone numbers and case-portal links for every state's IV-D agency. Indispensable when a Delaware mother needs to register an out-of-state order under UIFSA or coordinate enforcement with a state where the noncustodial parent now lives.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
A peer-written guide explaining the practical mechanics of applying for, modifying, and collecting child support, including what to do when payments stop. Useful for Delaware mothers who want to understand the system before walking into DCSS for the first time.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The American Academy of Pediatrics' parent education site frames child support as part of a child's developmental and health needs. Helpful for mothers explaining the importance of regular support to teen children or for documenting financial impact when seeking modification.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
NFSN connects local family support and home-visiting programs that often coordinate with child support agencies on intake. Useful when a Delaware mother needs holistic case management — parenting classes, food, and child support help — through a single point of contact.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website