Set up or update child support online – without having to go to court.
How it works
To set up or update child support online, you and the other parent or caregiver must provide your income information. It is used to calculate the amount of child support to be paid.
When one parent sets up or updates child support online, the other parent will be notified by mail and must respond online within 25 calendar days. Both parents may also be required to complete a consent form to allow the Canada Revenue Agency to share their income information with the service.
Once you and the other parent or caregiver have provided the necessary income information, both of you will be mailed a Notice of Calculation or Recalculation. This document includes the new child support arrangement, including the amount to be paid. It can be enforced just like a court order.
Differences in benefit and expense deductions
When you set up or update child support online, the amount to be paid may be calculated differently than the court if you:
- receive the Universal Child Care Benefit
- are eligible to deduct employment and business-related expenses from your income
Who can use the service
You can set up or update child support online if:
- one parent or caregiver lives with the child or children 60% if the time
- you don’t currently live with the other parent or caregiver
But, if you’re setting up child support, the other parent or caregiver can deny your request to use the online service. In this case you will have to use the court process or arrange child support in a written agreement.
Talk to the other parent or caregiver before submitting an application to make sure that they agree to use this service.
You cannot set up or update child support online if:
- either parent or caregiver, or any of the children, live outside of Ontario
- any children are over 17.5 years old or married
- there is split or shared custody of the child or children
- the parent or caregiver who currently pays or will pay for child support:
- is self-employed
- earns more than $150,000 or less than $10,800 annually
- earns income in cash
- is a partner or majority shareholder of a business
- earns most of their income as a landlord or seasonal worker (e.g., employed in snow removal, fishing or landscaping)
Required Documents
Before you start setting up or updating child support online, make sure you have:
- your Social Insurance Number or Temporary Tax Number
- a current mailing address for the other parent or caregiver
- contact information for the person responsible for payroll at your workplace (if you’re the person who currently pays or will pay child support)
- an electronic copy of your current court order or separation agreement, or information from your current Notice of Calculation or Recalculation
If you didn’t file your taxes last year, you will also need either:
- your three most recent pay stubs, or
- the most recent statement of income from employment insurance, social assistance, a pension, workers compensation or disability payments
Start using the service
Start using the online service to set up or update child support:
Set up or update child support
Cost
There is a non-refundable $80 fee each time you use the service, whether you’re setting up or updating child support.
Accepted forms of payment
Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Interac® Online
No refunds for inaccurate information
You will not be refunded the $80 fee if the application cannot be processed due to inaccurate information. This includes when the other parent or caregiver replies that information is not accurate in the original application.
Fee waiver
You may be eligible to have the application fee waived, if your household (you, your spouse and children) are considered low-income. You can apply for the fee waiver in the online application.
Consulting a lawyer
Consult a lawyer if you’re still unsure about setting up or updating child support online. If you can’t afford a lawyer, you can find out if you qualify for legal aid.
As posted on the Government of Ontario Website
Updated: April 21, 2016
Published: April 4, 2016