Change Your Order

A change to your child support order, called a modification, is an increase or decrease in the amount of court ordered child support payments. Since DCSS must periodically review all its cases to see if the amount should be changed, you may receive written requests for your financial information.

Either parent may request, in writing, a review of their child support order. The request should state reasons for requesting a review. PLEASE NOTE: This DCSS service is only for those who have a child support case open in our office. We cannot help you with other kinds of orders, such as spousal support only orders, orders relating to custody or orders relating to visitation.

An order can be modified whenever there is a significant change in a parent's income or a significant change in visitation schedules. It can take four to six months to modify an order. Any change can begin only after the court issues the modified order.

If you want to file your own motion to modify the order, call the Family Court Clinic information line at (408) 882-2900 or consult a private attorney. You can also:

• Call DCSS and ask for a modification packet
• Request one by mail
• E-mail your request to [email protected]
• Print out the modification form provided from the link below and mail it to:
  Department of Child Support Services
  Att. Modification Unit
  880 Ridder Park Drive
  San Jose, CA 95131
  1-866-901-3212

Click on "form" for an application for modification. Please complete the form and return it to us. Your case will be reviewed if

• It has not been reviewed in the prior 12 months
• It has not been modified in the prior 24 months
• There is new information concerning the NP's earning ability

If a modification seems needed, DCSS will send out a "right to review" notice asking for income and expense information from each parent and wage information from the noncustodial parent's employer. If the California state guidelines show the amount of support should be increased or decreased by at least $50 (monthly) or 20% (whichever is greater), DCSS will pursue the modification.