OPENING A SUPPORT CASE
IN GENERAL
A parent or legal guardian of a minor child(ren) may open a case with their local child support enforcement
office. The department will request the parent or guardian complete an initial intake packet for each absent
parent. An initial interview appointment will be set with a case specialist to review your information, open a
case, and answer any questions. The packet you will complete contains paperwork requesting information
regarding the following:
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The Custodial parent or Guardian (identifiers, address, employer, and marriage information)
The Non-custodial parent (identifiers, address, employer, marriage, and locate information)
Children of the biological relationship of absent parent (identifiers, parental information)
Court order information
Visitation schedule
Direct payment received
Any past agency enforcement
There may be a $25.00 annual service fee collected from your first payment received after October 1st of each
year, if the agency collected and disbursed to you more than $500.00 in the previous federal fiscal year (Oct 1Sept 30). If you were ever aided or we collect less than $500.00 in the previous year our services are free of
charge and are available to those who receive public assistance as well as those who do not, and to both
mothers and fathers, and to other caregivers. By acting as an impartial conduit the agency assists parents in
supporting their children to the best of their ability.
SETTING AN APPOINTMENT
If you desire to receive the intake packet to open a case, and arrange an interview appointment with Central
Sierra Child Support Agency please contact our Customer Service Unit at 1-866-901-3212. An appointment
day and time will be provided allowing for the intake packet to be completed prior to your interview. You will
be asked to provide your name, address, and phone number when setting an appointment. You may also be
asked for parental relationship details so we may determine the proper forms to be mailed. You can also
download an application, or submit a request to have an application mailed to you from the Customer Connect
self-service website: ON-LINE Application.
APPOINTMENT DAY
You should arrive on time and be prepared to be interviewed for approximately an hour. This varies widely
depending on the number of absent parents and the completeness of your information. Please have your
application for services completed prior to your scheduled appointment time. You should also bring with you
the following:
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Birth certificates for all parties (County issued whenever possible)
Marriage certificate
Social Security card or number for all parties
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Court orders (all that cover support issues)
While the Sonora and Jackson sites do have child friendly interview rooms, not all of our sites do, and many
parents find it much easier to arrange for alternate child care during their interview time. This also allows for
the interview to be completed more quickly and without interruption. NOTE: Due to the confidential nature of
the details and issues discussed during an interview children may be excluded from being present in the
interview.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The primary purpose of the Central Sierra Child Support Agency is to collect child support payments from the
non-custodial mother or father and to distribute the support to the minor child’s custodial party for the child's
care. Each case is unique and varies in the services needed. The agency will assess the case and provide the
appropriate service functions, which may include any of the following:
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Locating the parent or their employer.
Establishing parentage.
Establishing a Support Order.
Enforcing a Support Order.
Obtaining Support where a parent is Out-of-State.
Please visit our pages on these functions for more detailed information.
DISCLAIMER: The Central Sierra Child Support Agency does not represent the mother, father or
guardian and is limited to the scope of functions listed above. Its attorneys are not the attorney for party
and represent only the interests of the State of California in ensuring that children receive the support from
their parents to which they are entitled.