How Child Support Is Calculated in Oklahoma

Oklahoma uses a schedule of basic child support obligations based on the parents' combined adjusted gross monthly income and the number of children. Each parent's share is set by that parent's percentage of the combined income (an income shares approach). The amount produced by the guidelines is presumed correct. Oklahoma Human Services publishes an official Excel child support computation calculator and a fillable computation form; the computation form must be signed by the judge and attached to the order.

Oklahoma Human Services Child Support Services (CSS) says the easiest way to apply is online at okbenefits.org. You can also complete the paper Application for Child Support Services (Form 03EN001E) and mail it with copies of any child support orders to the CSS Case Initiation Center, P.O. Box 248843, Oklahoma City, OK 73124-8843, or call customer service to have an application mailed to you. Families receiving TANF or non-TANF Medicaid are referred automatically and do not need to apply. The application page does not state an application fee.

A child is entitled to support from the parents until age 18. If the child is regularly enrolled in and attending high school (or another high school education program or an alternative high school program) as a full-time student, support continues until the child graduates or turns 20, whichever comes first; no hearing or new order is needed to extend support past 18. Separately, a court may order support for an indefinite period for a child who needs substantial care and supervision because of a mental or physical disability that existed (or whose cause was known to exist) before age 18 and who will not be able to support himself or herself.

A child support order may be modified on a material change in circumstances, such as an increase or decrease in the child's needs or the parents' income, a parent's incarceration for more than 180 consecutive days, changes in child care or medical or dental insurance costs, or a child reaching majority. A change to the guideline schedule alone is not a material change. Support cannot be changed retroactively; a modification normally takes effect on the first day of the month after the motion to modify is filed. In cases where CSS provides services, CSS reviews orders under its rules and, if the amount does not follow the guidelines, files a notice of review and intent to modify that is set for hearing before a district or administrative court.

Remedies for nonpayment listed by Oklahoma Human Services include income assignment from wages, unemployment and workers' compensation; intercepting federal and state tax refunds, lottery winnings and some lump sums; financial institution data matches to reach bank accounts; liens, including on personal injury awards; revoking recreational licenses and (through CSS) business, occupational and professional licenses; credit bureau reporting; passport denial; seek-work orders; civil contempt; and state and federal criminal charges. By statute, court-ordered past-due child support draws interest at 2% per year, and past-due payments operate as judgments and create a lien.

Oklahoma's child support agency is Child Support Services (CSS), part of Oklahoma Human Services. CSS establishes paternity, calculates and sets up child support, runs the Central Case Registry and handles conferences and hearings; it also offers common forms and information for parents, employers and attorneys. Apply through the "Apply for services" link on the CSS site. Payments can be made online (after registering), at a payment kiosk, or by mail to the payment mailing address, and parents can log in to view payments on their case at OKBenefits.org. Phone: Oklahoma City (405) 522-2273; Tulsa (918) 295-3500; TTY 711 or (800) 722-0353.

Oklahoma Human Services (Child Support Services) provides the Child Support Computation as an Excel calculator, plus a fillable Child Support Computation form with instructions and an Insurance Premium Worksheet. The computation form is the legal document used to calculate a noncustodial parent's child support obligation under Title 43, Section 120 of the Oklahoma Statutes; it must be signed by the judge and attached to orders that establish or modify support. For help with the calculator, call Child Support Services at (405) 522-2273.