Out-of-State Child Support in Washington

What Happens When Parents Live in Different States

Parents move for many reasons, including work, military duty, family needs, or new opportunities. These moves do not end child support. Washington can enforce or modify child support even when one or both parents live in different states. The most confusing part for parents is understanding which state makes the decisions, where to file paperwork, and whether they need to travel to another state. In most cases, they do not.

Washington follows a national set of rules that all states use when handling child support across state lines. These rules determine which state keeps the case, which state can enforce it, and whether a parent must register the order somewhere else. DCS also works with its counterpart agencies in every state to garnish wages, intercept tax refunds, and collect unpaid support.

An attorney helps parents avoid filing in the wrong place, missing enforcement options, or misunderstanding how support works when parents relocate. This page explains, in plain language, how out-of-state child support really works, what happens when parents or children move, and how long-distance travel fits into child support calculations.

➡ For more general information visit our page Child Support In Washington State

Myths and Misconceptions About Out-of-State Child Support

Myth: “If a parent moves, child support stops.”

Child support continues until a court changes it. Moving does not end or pause the obligation.

Myth: “You have to use the laws of the state where the parent moves.”

The original support order usually stays under the original state’s rules until a court formally transfers the case.

Myth: “I must go to the other parent’s state to enforce child support.”

Washington can enforce support even if the other parent lives far away. Most parents never need to travel.

Myth: “If a parent moves to a cheaper state, support automatically goes down.”

Support only changes if someone files a modification and proves that circumstances have changed.

Myth: “Child support across state lines is nearly impossible.”

Washington DCS works with every other state to enforce support using wage garnishment, tax refund intercepts, and national income-withholding laws.

Myth: “Military moves make child support too complicated.”

Military pay is usually easier to track than civilian income. Washington can garnish military wages even when the service member is overseas.

Basic Questions About Moving and Child Support

Does child support change if a parent moves?

Not automatically. Moving out of state or relocation, only affects child support if a parent asks for the child support to be modified. But it is possible that the costs for long-distance travel be included int he child support calculation, so it is something to be considered if one parent is moving far away.

➡ Learn more about relocation on our page Relocation with Children

Which state handles child support if parents live in different states?

Usually the state that issued the original order keeps the case. Courts call this “continuing jurisdiction,” which means the same state keeps making decisions unless certain conditions change, such as both parents moving away.

Do I have to go to the other parent’s state to enforce child support?

You do not have to go to the other parent’s state. It is possible to enforce child support payments through the division of child support, which would do the footwork for you. But it may be necessary if you are enforcing on your own or need to execute a judgment to do so in the court of another state using Washington State Child Support Orders.

Out-of-State Enforcement

Can Washington enforce child support if the other parent lives abroad?

Often yes. Washington can enforce support in countries that participate in international support agreements, though timelines and cooperation vary. But enforcing orders internationally can be complex so it is best to work with an attorney who can help navigate the many different governments involved.

Do I need to register my Washington order in the other parent’s state?

Registering in a different state for enforcement can be necessary. It is also possible to use the Division of Child Support for collections efforts for a small administrative fee.

Can Washington enforce a child support order if the other parent lives in another state?

Yes. Washington can enforce unpaid support by working with the other state’s child support agency. This can include wage garnishment, license suspension, tax refund intercepts, and more.

How does wage garnishment work across states?

DCS sends a wage withholding order to the parent’s employer, even if the employer is located in another state. Employers must follow the order under federal law. It is also possible to do the same thing using a private attorney.

What if the other parent refuses to pay and lives far away?

Washington can still turn the unpaid support into a judgment and take collection steps. In some cases, an attorney in Washington may work with an attorney in the other parent’s state to enforce the judgment against property or accounts located there.

Do I have to register my Washington order in another state?

Only if you want the other state’s courts to enforce or modify the order. Washington can handle most enforcement actions without registration.

Modification When Parents Live in Different States

Can Washington change a support order if one parent moved?

Often yes. If the order was in Washington state and one parent remains in the state, Washington is most likely the right state to change a support order.

➡ Learn more on our page Modifying a Washington Child Support Order

Do both parents need to agree to modify in Washington?

No. Either parent can request a modification. The court decides whether Washington or another state has the authority to make changes.

When does Washington lose the ability to change a support order?

This can happen when both parents move away and another state becomes the more appropriate place to handle the case. The rules are based on where the parents and children live, not where the order was originally issued.

Can I modify support in Washington if the children live here but the other parent moved away?

Often yes. Where the child lives is a major factor in deciding which state has the power to modify the order.

When Children or Parents Move

What happens if the child moves to another state?

Support usually stays under the original order until someone asks to transfer or modify it. But there could be advantages to modifying at this point because you can then include increased expenses for travel and often a move will mean different income calculations.

➡ Learn more on our page Relocating with Children

Does relocation affect child support?

Relocation alone does not change support. But relocation may mean different income and if the move is far enough away, it may mean increased expenses for travel to effect residential schedules. A parent must file a modification if expenses or circumstances have changed.

How does long-distance travel for parenting time affect child support?

Courts can divide travel expenses between parents when long-distance travel is required for the child to maintain a relationship with each parent. Travel costs can justify a deviation in child support or be divided through the parenting plan.

Who pays for airfare, hotels, or travel for residential time?

It depends on the circumstances and the court order. Courts often divide travel costs proportionally or assign them to the parent who moved, but they consider fairness, income, and the child’s needs.

Military Families and Out-of-State Support

How does child support work when a parent is in the military?

Military income can be verified through LES statements, and Washington can garnish wages through DFAS. Deployment or overseas assignment does not stop support.

What if the military parent moves frequently?

Frequent moves do not change the child support amount unless someone requests modification. Washington can still enforce the order.

International Issues

Can Washington enforce child support if the other parent is in another country?

Sometimes. Washington works with certain countries that have support enforcement agreements. In other cases, enforcement depends on the laws of that country.

Do the same rules apply internationally as across state lines?

Not always. International enforcement varies widely and may require additional steps or treaties.

Strategic Questions

Should I register my order in Washington or another state?

Registration can help if you need Washington to enforce or modify an out-of-state order. An attorney can evaluate whether this is necessary.

What mistakes do parents make in multi-state child support cases?

The most common mistakes are filing in the wrong state, assuming support ends when someone moves, and ignoring enforcement options available in Washington.

Why hire an attorney for out-of-state child support issues?

Attorneys ensure that you file in the right place, avoid long delays, understand how to enforce support across states, and protect your rights during relocation or military transfers.

Work With Pacific Northwest Family Law for Multi-State Child Support Issues

Child support continues no matter where parents live, and Washington offers strong tools to enforce orders and protect children. Cross-border cases confuse many families because parents are unsure where to file, how to enforce, or whether they must travel. Our attorneys help determine the correct state for enforcement or modification, work with DCS and out-of-state agencies, clarify long-distance travel responsibilities, and move your case forward efficiently.

 

Reviewed by Attorney Zachary C Ashby, Pacific Northwest Family Law, November 2025