Child support enforcement: what ORS can (and can't) do
ORS is Utah's official child support enforcement agency. It's free to use, has access to enforcement tools no private attorney has, and it works across state lines. Most parents never use it — which means billions in uncollected support.
The Office of Recovery Services (ORS) is a division of the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. It is the state agency responsible for establishing, enforcing, and collecting child support — and in some cases, medical support and alimony — under Utah Code § 62A-11.
ORS is federally funded and free to open a case. You do not need an attorney to use ORS. When a parent owes you child support and isn't paying, ORS is almost always the fastest and cheapest first step.
Who can open a case?
Any custodial parent with a Utah child support order, or a parent who needs one established.
Is there a fee?
No fee if you've received TANF or Medicaid. A $35/year fee applies to private cases once $550+ is collected.
Does my ex have to live in Utah?
No. ORS works with agencies in all 50 states and many countries under UIFSA.
Do I need a lawyer?
No. ORS represents the state's interest in collecting support — not you personally. You can open a case without an attorney.
Enforcement tools — how ORS collects
ORS has legal powers that no private individual has. Here are all the tools available — from automatic wage garnishment to passport denial.
Past-due support (arrears) — Utah's interest rate
Unpaid child support in Utah accrues interest at 3% per year under Utah Code § 15-1-4. Interest compounds on the unpaid principal — meaning the longer a parent waits, the more they owe. ORS tracks and collects arrears in addition to current support. You do not need to calculate this yourself.
Interest rate
3% per year
Who tracks it?
ORS calculates automatically
Statute
Utah Code § 15-1-4
What ORS cannot do
ORS is powerful — but it has real limits. Knowing these upfront saves frustration.
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ORS cannot help if there is no court order
ORS enforces existing court orders only. If child support was never ordered by a court, ORS cannot collect. If you have an informal agreement — even a signed one — you need to get a formal court order first.
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ORS cannot speed up the court process
ORS enforcement actions that require a court hearing (like contempt) are subject to court scheduling, which can take months. ORS does not control court calendars.
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ORS may prioritize cases with a state interest
If the custodial parent has received TANF or Medicaid, ORS may have assigned some of the support to the state as reimbursement. In those cases, some collected money goes to the state before reaching you.
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ORS does not provide legal advice
ORS caseworkers administer your account but they are not your attorneys. They cannot advise you on whether to modify your order, how to respond to a custody dispute, or how to handle unusual circumstances.
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ORS enforcement is not instant
Even with a valid order, it can take weeks or months for ORS to locate an employer, serve an income withholding order, or apply a levy. Persistence and regular check-ins with your caseworker help.
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ORS charges a fee if you never received public assistance
If you have never received TANF or Medicaid, federal law requires ORS to charge an annual $35 fee once more than $550 in support has been collected in a year. This is deducted from collected support, not billed to you directly.
Frequently asked questions
Need to track your case?
divvi's dashboard lets you log every payment, flag missed payments, and keep all enforcement records in one place — so nothing falls through the cracks.