Connecticut State Law
A. General/Program-At-A-Glance
B. UIFSA
C. Reciprocity
C1. With which foreign countries does your state have a state level reciprocal agreement for child support enforcement? (Do not include federal foreign reciprocating countries in your answer.) |
Bermuda; Mexico (the following 27 of 32 states): Aguascalientes, Nayarit, Baja California, Nuevo Leon, Campeche, Puebla, Chiapas, San Luis Potosi, Chihuahua, Queretaro, Coahuila, Quintana Roo, Colima, Sonora, Distrito Federal, Tabasco, Guanajuato, Tamaulipas, Guerrero, Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, Veracruz, Jalisco, Yucatan, Michoacan, Zacatecas, Morelos. |
C1.1. Does your state exercise its option to receive Federal Funding Participation (FFP) for enforcement of spousal-only orders for foreign reciprocating countries? |
No |
C1.2. If yes, please explain. |
N/A |
C2. Has your state established reciprocity with any Native American tribal courts? |
No |
C2.1. If yes, list the tribes and identify services provided, if less than full services. |
N/A |
C3. Does your state accept direct applications from parents in non-reciprocating or non-treaty countries? ** |
Yes |
C4. When a Hague Convention country seeks registration of a Convention support order in your state, does your state allow the country to send an abstract (or summary) of the order on the Hague Abstract of a Decision form in lieu of the complete text? (See UIFSA 706 (b) (1).) ** |
No |
D. Age of Majority
E. Statute of Limitations
E1. What is your State's statute of limitations for collection of past-due support? |
None
For Additional Information - No Link Provided |
E2. What is your State's statute of limitations for paternity establishment? |
18 years
For Additional Information - No Link Provided |
E3. Is dormancy revival/renewal possible? |
No |
E3.1. If yes, please explain the circumstances when it's possible and how long it's possible. |
Not applicable.
For Additional Information - No Link Provided |
F. Support Details
G. Income Withholding
H. Paternity
I. Support Order Establishment
J. Support Enforcement
J1. Indicate whether your state has the following enforcement remedies available. Also indicate what procedures are available (i.e., judicial, administrative, or both). |
J1.1. Are your state income tax refund procedures judicial, administrative, or both? |
Administrative. |
J2. Is the lien process in your state judicial, administrative, or both? |
Administrative. |
J2.1. What are the trigger criteria for filing a lien? |
Past Due Support of $500 or more.
For Additional Information - No Link Provided |
J2.2. Where are your state liens filed? |
Real Property - town clerks. |
J2.3. Does your state charge a fee for filing a lien? |
Yes |
J2.4. If yes, please indicate the amount. |
$10.00 - $15.00. |
J.3. Does your state enforce property seizure and sale? |
Yes |
J3.1. Are the property seizure and sale procedures judicial, administrative, or both? |
Administrative and judicial. Administrative under CGS Sec. 52-362d(d),(e) requires $500 overdue support (i.e., delinquency). |
J4. Are the MSFIDM freeze and seize procedures in your state judicial, administrative, or both? |
Administrative |
J4.1. When must an NCP receive notice that a MSFIDM freeze and seize action is an enforcement remedy and may be used by the state to collect delinquent child support? |
When case becomes delinquent, concurrent with freeze notice to institution. |
J4.2. Does your state's income withholding definition include amounts in financial institutions? |
No.
For Additional Information - No Link Provided |
J4.3. Does your state require a new notice to be sent when intent to freeze and seize is sent? |
Yes |
J4.3.1 If yes, who notifies the NCP, the state or the financial institution? |
The state. |
J5. What are the time frames if a new notice of intent to freeze and seize must be sent? |
Concurrent with notice to institution. |
J5.1. What are the criteria that must be met to deem an obligor eligible for freeze and seize action in your state? |
$500.00 minimum delinquency. No specified number of months delinquent. No accounts exempted. |
J5.2. What is the minimum delinquent dollar amount that makes an obligor eligible for asset seizure? |
$500.00.
For Additional Information - No Link Provided |
J5.3. Is there a specified amount of time of delinquency required prior to proceeding with freeze and seize? |
None |
J5.3.1. If yes, please provide the time frame. |
Not applicable |
J5.4. Are only a certain percentage of the obligor's financial assets eligible for freeze and seize? |
No |
J5.4.1. If yes, provide the percentage. |
Not applicable |
J5.4.2. Is the percentage different for joint accounts? |
No |
J5.4.3. If yes, describe. |
Not applicable |
J5.5. Does your state require a minimum amount of money in a financial account for the funds to be eligible for freeze and seize action? If so, provide the amount. |
No. |
J5.6. Who is responsible for applying the minimum amount, your state or the financial institution? |
N/A. |
J5.7. How long does the obligor or other account holders have to contact your state child support enforcement agency or court to challenge the Freeze and Seize action? |
Sixty (60) days.
For Additional Information - No Link Provided |
J5.8. If state law or policy allows for a second contest to a freeze and seize action, how long does the obligor or joint account holder have to contact your child support agency or court to challenge the freeze and seize action? |
45 days of receipt of administrative hearing decision. |
J5.9. On what basis can an obligor and/or other account holder challenge a Freeze and Seize action? |
Mistaken identity, wrong amount, amount less than minimum, no orders.
For Additional Information - No Link Provided |
J5.10. Is your state's complaint review process judicial, administrative, or both? |
Both, if appealed. |
J5.11. What are your state's penalties for incorrect seizures? |
None |
J5.12. Is the second challenge administrative, judicial, or both? |
Judicial. |
J5.13. What is your state's appeal time frame, unique appeal requirements and recourse for non-debtor accounts? |
45 days from date of receipt of administrative hearing decision. No unique requirements. No recourse for non-debtor. |
J5.14. Is the freeze and seize operation in your state centralized or automated? |
Centralized. Not automated. |
J5.15. Are there additional freeze and seize requirements or limitations not otherwise noted in this profile? |
Per CGS Sec. 52-362d(d), an order of another state must be registered in this state. |
J5.16. Does your state have procedures to liquidate non-liquid assets (for example, stocks, bonds, etc)? |
No |
J5.16.1 If yes, provide the state authority and the procedures financial institutions should follow to liquidate non-liquid assets. |
Not applicable
For Additional Information - No Link Provided |
J5.17. Does your state law or policies instruct the financial institution or state to hold the frozen assets during the challenge or appeal time frame or freeze period? |
Yes.
For Additional Information - No Link Provided |
J5.18. How long does the financial institution have to send the obligor's assets to your child support enforcement agency? |
No time specified.
For Additional Information - No Link Provided |
J6. Does your state withhold state funds or benefits? |
Yes |
J6.1. If yes, is the method of withholding state benefits judicial, administrative or both? |
Administrative for all forms of funds/benefits. Same criteria as listed in J4.1. |
J7. Describe any other administrative enforcement procedures your state may have. |
Administrative withholding of lottery winnings under CGS Sec. 52-362d(c); CRA reporting; no debt threshold. |
J8. Describe any other judicial enforcement procedures your state may have. |
Yes; contempt citation under CGS Sec. 46b-231 and criminal prosecution under CGS Secs. 53-304 to 53-308, inclusive. |
J9. If your State has established specific procedures for registering administrative liens, what are the procedures that another State must follow? |
Register order for enforcement under UIFSA and request lien remedy, fully describing the subject property, including type and location.
For Additional Information - No Link Provided |
J10. Which of your state's enforcement remedies are available without judicial actions? |
Income withholding. |
J11. Describe your state's procedures for registering and enforcing another state's order. |
UIFSA registration under sections 46b-213g to 46b-213n, inclusive of the Connecticut General Statutes. Support Enforcement Services files documents in registry of support orders in Family Support Magistrate Division and notifies non-registering party. If non-registering party fails to contest registration, order is confirmed. If non-registering party contests registration, a hearing is held. Support Enforcement Services uses all available remedies to enforce order. |
J12. Describe additional judicial procedures required after registration, if any, to enforce a support order. |
None. |
J13. Has your state adopted the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act (UEFJA)? |
Yes |
J13.1. If yes, provide the statutory citation. |
Sections 52-604 to 52-609, inclusive of the Connecticut General Statutes.
For Additional Information - ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
J14. What are your state's criteria for reporting an obligor's child support information to credit bureaus? |
Connecticut will only report information to participating credit reporting agencies in IV-D cases(AFDC and Non-AFDC). The total amount of overdue support on a case must be at least $1000.00. A notice of action must be mailed to the obligor and provide the obligor an opportunity to request a fair hearing. |
J15. To which credit bureaus does your state report an obligor's child support information? |
Experian |
J16. Is the method for credit bureau reporting judicial, administrative, or both? |
Administrative |
J17. These questions describe state procedures for Automated Administrative Enforcement in Interstate Cases (AEI). Refer to OCSE-AT-08-06 for additional information about AEI. |
J18. What data matches with financial institutions and other entities (and the seizure of such assets) are available through AEI in your state? Examples may include liens and levies, MSFIDM, FIDM, state benefits (lump sum), state lottery, state income tax, etc. |
MSFIDM, FIDM |
J19. What documentation does your state require to proceed with an AEI request? |
Transmittal #1, Registration Request (with certified affidavit of arrearage), and verification of asset. |
J20. What mandatory data elements does your state need to process AEI requests? |
See J19-all relevant information and documentation as required with registration of order, copy of the most recent data match for asset.
For Additional Information - http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/pol/AT/2008/at-08-06.htm |
J21. Which additional data elements would aid your state in processing AEI requests? |
See J20 |
J22. How many copies/sets of documents does your state require with an AEI request? |
Same requirements as registration request through Central Registry. |
J23. What are the criteria that must be met to deem an obligor eligible for any AEI matches available in the state, aside from liens/levies and MSFIDM? |
Registration of order and an overdue balance (delinquency) of $500.00 or more. |
J24. Does your state's law require financial institutions doing business in your state to accept freeze and seize actions directly from other states? |
No |
J24.1. If no, then describe the process for a freeze and seize action from another child support agency (for example, Transmittal #1 or Transmittal #3), and list the additional documentation required. |
See J18-J23 Per CGS Sec. 52-362d(d), an order of another state must be registered in Connecticut. |
J25. What is the procedure for obtaining a certified copy of a court order? |
A certified copy of a court order can be obtained by contacting the clerk's office of the court for the jurisdiction the order was established in. |
J26. What is the procedure for obtaining a certified payment record? |
A certified payment record can be obtained by contacting the Support Enforcement Services office for the jurisdiction in which the noncustodial parent resides. |
J27. Is there a cost for requesting a certified copy of a court order or payment record? |
J28. What are your state's policies and practices for driver's license revocation for nonpayment of support and reinstatement, especially for low income parents or a hardship exemption? |
J29. What triggers a driver's license revocation? |
J29.1 Is there a threshold arrears amount that serves as the basis to revoke or suspend a driver's license? |
J29.2 If yes, what is the amount? |
J30. Under what conditions may a noncustodial party restore the driver's license? |
J30.1 What is the process for restoring a driver's license? |
J31. Does your state allow temporary or conditional driver's licenses? |
J31.1 If yes, what are the conditions? |
J32. Describe any innovations or special practices your state uses regarding driver's license revocation and reinstatement. |
J33. When your state is the initiating state, does it submit delinquent cases to the Debtor File for federal administrative offset? |
J33.1 If yes, does your state require a minimum dollar amount greater than $25.00 before submitting delinquent cases for administrative offset? |
J33.2 What is the dollar amount? |
J35. When your state is the initiating state, does it submit delinquent cases to the Debtor File for insurance match? |
Yes |
J35.1 If yes, does your state require a minimum dollar amount greater than $25.00 before submitting delinquent cases for insurance match? |
N/A |
J36. When your state is the responding state, does it submit delinquent cases to the Debtor File for federal administrative offset? |
J36.1 If yes, does your state require a minimum dollar amount greater than $25.00 before submitting delinquent cases for federal administrative offset? |
J36.2 What is the dollar amount? |
J38. When your state is the responding state, does it submit delinquent cases to the Debtor File for insurance match? |
J38.1 If yes, does your state require a minimum dollar amount greater than $25.00 before submitting delinquent cases for insurance match? |
J38.2 What is the dollar amount? |
J39. When your state is the responding state, does it submit delinquent cases to the Debtor File for passport denial? |
J40. Does your state give the NCP credit for Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (RSDI) benefits received directly by the CP? |
K. Modification and Review/Adjustment
K1. How frequently does your state conduct order reviews in IV-D cases (for example, every year, every three years)? |
As requested by either parent, but no more frequently than every three years unless there is a substantial change in circumstances.
For Additional Information - No Link Provided |
K2. Briefly describe your state's modification procedure. |
On request of either parent and, in TANF cases, in accordance with Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. A direct interstate referral form requesting review and adjustment of the order must be sent to the local Support Enforcement Services(SES) office. SES will prepare appropriate motion if jurisdiction can be obtained. SES will notify the requesting jurisdiction of results. |
K3. What are your criteria for modification (for example, $50 or 20% from present order)? |
There must be a 15% change in income, or a change in circumstances. |
K4. Which of the following criteria for demonstrating a change in circumstances apply for modifying an order? |
K4.1. The earnings of the obligor have substantially increased or decreased. |
Yes |
K4.2. The earnings of the obligee have substantially increased or decreased. |
Yes |
K4.3. The needs of a party or the child(ren) have substantially increased or decreased. |
Yes |
K4.4. The cost of living as measured by the Federal Bureau of Vital Statistics has changed. |
No |
K4.5. The child(ren) has extraordinary medical expenses not covered by insurance. |
Yes |
K4.6. There has been a substantial change in childcare expenses. |
Yes |
K4.7. What other criteria does your state use for demonstrating a change in circumstances for modifying an order? |
Additional children or a change in living arrangements for the child(ren) |
K5. Does your state have cost of living adjustments (COLAs) for orders? |
No |
K5.1. If yes, what index does your state use? |
Not applicable |
K6. How does your state credit SSA disability to current and past-due support? |
A guidelines study is done. The NCP is credited on the current support amount for the SSA benefit. The NCP is then ordered to pay the difference between the guidelines amount and the SSA credit/adjustment. |
K7. Does your state abate support? For example, when the child is not living with the CP for more than 30 days and there has not been a change in custody or when the NCP is in prison, etc. |
Yes |
K7.1. If yes, explain the circumstances? |
In situations where there is a court ordered change in custody to the obligor and support is not addressed, it is automatic by operation of law. If an NCP is institutionalized or imprisoned, a modification is required. |
K7.2. What is the statutory citation for your abatement law? |
46b-224 (Custody Change) , 46b-215e(prison)
For Additional Information - No Link Provided |
K7.3. What documents does your state require for each type of referral other than UIFSA referrals? For example, pay records and certifications for TANF, etc. |
Transmittal #3
For Additional Information - No Link Provided |
K7.4. What information does your state need to obtain copies of paternity acknowledgements/affidavits and birth records, including where to make requests and the cost of processing the requests. |
The names of both parents, in addition to the child's name, date of birth and place of birth. All requests must be sent to the following: CT Department of Public Health State Office of Vital Records 410 Capitol Ave. MS#11VRS P.O. Box 340308 Hartford, CT 06134-0308 Transmittal #1, Registration Statement (if not already a registered order), Uniform Support Petition, General Testimony (including the affidavit of arrears), certified copy of current court order and copy of all prior orders |
K8. What information does your state require to register an out-of-state order for enforcement/modification? |
For enforcement only: Transmittal #1, two copies, including one certified copy, of the order to be registered, including any modification of the order, CGS 46b-213h(a) For registration for enforcement and modification: Transmittal #1, Registration statement, Unform Support Petition, General Testimony including arrears affidavit, certified copy of the most recent court order plus copies of all modifications. |
K9. When a child reaches the age of emancipation and arrears are owed on the order, and there is no established payment on arrears, does your state statute allow collection to continue at the same rate as current support? |
No, but an amount in accordance to the guidelines can be established administratively. This amount typically is 50% of the current support amount. |
K9.1. When a child reaches the age of emancipation and arrears are owed on the order, and there is an established payment on arrears, does your state statute allow collection to continue at the same rate as current support, current support plus arrears, or the arrears payment amount only? |
The arrears payment amount only. |
K10. What circumstances will cause your state to end child support before the normal duration? ** |
The child emancipates before the normal duration The child marries The child is adopted by someone other than the non-custodial parent The child support order states that child support ceases prior to the normal duration |
L. Payments
L1. Does your state define a lump sum payment? |
No |
L1.1 If yes, give your state's definition. (Be specific, for example, severance pay, incentives, relocation lump sum payments, etc.). |
N/A |
L1.2 Provide the statutory citation. |
N/A
For Additional Information - No Link Provided |
L2. Does your state law require employers to report lump sum payments? |
No |
L2.1 If yes, give the statutory citation or rule. |
N/A
For Additional Information - No Link Provided |
L3. Are employers required to report lump sum payments for all income-withholding orders (including cases with no arrears)? |
No |
L3.1 If yes, what is the threshold amount at which a lump sum payment must be reported? |
N/A |
L4. How are employers instructed to report a pending lump sum? |
N/A |
L5. What is the timeframe within which the child support enforcement agency must respond to the employer with instructions for attaching the lump sum? |
N/A |
L6. Does your state use the income-withholding order to attach the lump sum payment? |
Yes |
L7. Does your state use the lien/levy process to attach lump sum payments? |
Yes |
L7.1. If yes, what is the name of the document your state uses to attach non-wage lump sum payments? |
Notice of Lien |
L8. What other documents does your state use to attach lump sum payments? |
Notice of Seizure of Assets |
L9. If the lump sum payment is considered earnings as defined by the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA), does your state have higher limits on withholding than the CCPA limit? |
No. |
L9.1. If yes, what are those limits? |
Not applicable |
L9.2. If the lump sum is not considered to be earnings as defined by the CCPA, does your state limit the withholding/attachment? |
Yes.
For Additional Information - No Link Provided |
L9.3. If yes, what are those limits? |
Pursuant to CCPA, Section 1673 of Title 15 of the United States Code; no more than 85% of first $145.00 of weekly disposable income. There must be overdue support greater than $500. |
L9.4. If no, what percentage is the employer required to withhold? |
Not applicable |
L10. If an employer pays the lump sum in addition to regular wages in a single payment, would the CCPA limits apply? |
No |
L10.1 If yes, would the employer only withhold for that period's obligation? |
L11. Does your state have a direct deposit program? |
Yes |
L11.1 If so, specify the vendor. |
Systems and Methods Inc. |
L12. Does your state have a debit card program? |
Yes |
L12.1 If so, specify the vendor. |
Systems and Methods Inc. |
L13. Is the debit card used for any other state government programs (TANF, SNAP, etc.)? |
No |
L13.1 If so, are there fees involved? |
L14. What are the fees associated with using the card? |
L15. How does your state collect child support payments from an obligor? ** |
Payments must be made to a central location Payment may be made by preauthorized withdrawal from a financial institution account Payments may be made by income withholding payments may be made by check or warrant Payments my be made by electronic funds transfer Payments may be made in cash at specified offices |
L16. How does your state disburse child support payments to foreign reciprocating and treaty countries when your state is the responding state in a case? ** |
Payments may be made by check Payments may be made by electronic funds transfer |
L17. What actions does your state take to reduce the costs and fees associated with international payment processing? ** |
All payments are processed through a designated authority All payments are processed upon receipt |
L18. Does your state process electronic payments in international cases? ** |
No |
L18.1 If so, describe the process. ** |
L19. What is your state's International Bank Account Number (IBAN)? ** |
M. Insurance Match
N. Case Closure
N1. Does your state send a CSENet case closure transaction to let the responding state know its intergovernmental services are no longer needed? (MSC P GSC15) |
N2. Does your state send a CSENet case closure transaction to notify the initiating state that its case is closed based on one of the following reasons: (MSC P GSC16) (a)Initiating state failure to take an action essential for the next steps? (b)The initiating state requested the responding state to close the case? |
N3. Does your state send a CSENet case closure transaction to notify the responding state that it must stop any income withholding orders or notices and close the intergovernmental case? MSC P GSC17) |
N4. Does your state send a CSENet case closure transaction to notify the initiating state that per its request the case is closed and your state has stopped its income withholding order? (MSC P GSC18) |