CS
Child Support
Offices
NKY & Cincinnati Metro · Kentucky + Ohio

Find Your
Child Support Office
— Hours, Locations & Fees

The two-state NKY/Cincinnati metro has two entirely different child support systems. This directory covers every office in Boone, Kenton, Campbell (KY) and Hamilton, Clermont (OH) counties — with verified hours, phone numbers, and filing guides.

Kentucky Offices ↓ Ohio CSEA Offices ↓
Jump to Your County
Boone County, KY DCBS Kenton County, KY DCBS Campbell County, KY DCBS Hamilton County, OH CSEA Clermont County, OH CSEA
5 Counties
2 States
8+ Offices
⚠️

Hours subject to change. Always call ahead before visiting. Kentucky DCBS and Ohio CSEA offices occasionally close for training days, holidays, and system maintenance. Verified as of .

Two States, Two Systems

Overview

If you live in the Northern Kentucky / Cincinnati metro area, which side of the river you're on determines which agency handles your case — and the processes, fees, and offices are entirely different.

Kentucky

DCBS — Cabinet for Health & Family Services

Kentucky child support cases are handled by the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS), a division of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Each county has its own DCBS office.

Enforcement Agency
DCBS Child Support Division
Court Filing
District Court (Family Court)
Online Payment Portal
Kentucky Child Support Interactive (KY CSI)
State Hotline
1-800-248-1163
Income Withholding
Automatic when ordered; employer notified within 2 business days
Ohio

CSEA — Child Support Enforcement Agency

Ohio child support is administered by the Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), operated separately by each county. Hamilton County CSEA and Clermont County CSEA are independent offices.

Enforcement Agency
County CSEA (independent per county)
Court Filing
Juvenile Court or Domestic Relations Court
Online Payment Portal
Ohio Child Support Payment Central (CSPC)
State Hotline
1-800-686-1556
Income Withholding
Mandatory on all new orders; National Medical Support Notice included

Kentucky DCBS Offices

Boone · Kenton · Campbell

Boone County DCBS — Child Support Division

Boone Co. KY
Address 3000 Goetz Drive, Suite 1
Burlington, KY 41005
Phone (859) 334-5700
Fax (859) 334-5799
Intake Method Walk-in accepted; appointments preferred for new cases
Mon 8am–4:30pm
Tue 8am–4:30pm
Wed 8am–4:30pm
Thu 8am–4:30pm
Fri 8am–4:30pm
Sat–Sun Closed
Local note: Boone County is the fastest-growing county in NKY. The Burlington office handles all of Boone County — there is no Florence branch for DCBS child support (Florence has a separate workforce development office but not CS). Expect wait times of 20–45 min during morning hours without an appointment. Lunch hour (12–1pm) is typically slower.
Walk-in OK Online Payments Paternity Modifications Enforcement
Verified May 2025

Kenton County DCBS — Child Support Division

Kenton Co. KY
Address 3420 Turkeyfoot Road
Erlanger, KY 41018
Phone (859) 371-6300
Fax (859) 371-6388
Intake Method Walk-in accepted; busy office — morning appointments strongly recommended
Mon 8am–4:30pm
Tue 8am–4:30pm
Wed 8am–4:30pm
Thu 8am–4:30pm
Fri 8am–4:30pm
Sat–Sun Closed
Local note: Kenton County is the most populous NKY county. The Erlanger DCBS office serves both Covington and Erlanger residents — there is no separate Covington DCBS office for child support. This is the highest-volume DCBS office in NKY. For new case applications, arrive before 9am or schedule an appointment. Parking is free in the lot; entrance is on the east side of the building.
Walk-in OK Online Payments Paternity Enforcement Locate Services
Verified May 2025

Campbell County DCBS — Child Support Division

Campbell Co. KY
Address 101 Center Drive
Newport, KY 41071
Phone (859) 292-6400
Fax (859) 292-6474
Intake Method Walk-in accepted; less crowded than Kenton County
Mon 8am–4:30pm
Tue 8am–4:30pm
Wed 8am–4:30pm
Thu 8am–4:30pm
Fri 8am–4:30pm
Sat–Sun Closed
Local note: The Newport DCBS office is notably less congested than the Kenton County Erlanger office. Newport residents dealing with child support modifications can typically walk in and be seen the same day. The office also handles Alexandria-area (Alexandria is the county seat) residents — there is no separate DCBS office in Alexandria for child support.
Walk-in OK Online Payments Paternity Modifications
Verified May 2025

Ohio CSEA Offices

Hamilton · Clermont

Hamilton County CSEA

Hamilton Co. OH
Main Office Address 222 East Central Parkway, Suite 1100
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone (513) 946-2000
Fax (513) 946-2020
Intake Method Appointment required for new cases; walk-in for payments & status only
Mon 8am–4pm
Tue 8am–4pm
Wed 10am–4pm
Thu 8am–4pm
Fri 8am–4pm
Sat–Sun Closed
Local note: Wednesday hours start at 10am — a common source of confusion. This is a staff training window. Hamilton County CSEA is the largest in the metro area. For new applications, an appointment is required (call or book online). Walk-ins are accepted only for payment inquiries and document drop-off. Free parking is available in the county garage on Central Parkway; validate ticket at the CSEA window. The office also handles cases for Hyde Park, Blue Ash, Norwood, and unincorporated Hamilton County.
Appt. Required (New Cases) Walk-in (Payments Only) Online Services Paternity Testing
Verified May 2025

Clermont County CSEA

Clermont Co. OH
Address 2400 Clermont Center Drive
Batavia, OH 45103
Phone (513) 732-7947
Fax (513) 732-7997
Intake Method Walk-in accepted; smaller office, typically same-day service
Mon 8am–4:30pm
Tue 8am–4:30pm
Wed 8am–4:30pm
Thu 8am–4:30pm
Fri 8am–4:30pm
Sat–Sun Closed
Local note: Clermont County CSEA is located in Batavia (the county seat), not in the more-populated Milford or Loveland areas. Residents in Union Township, Pierce Township, and Milford should budget 20–30 minutes of drive time. Unlike Hamilton County, Clermont typically accepts walk-ins for new applications — no appointment needed. This is the better choice for Clermont residents who want same-day intake. The office also handles Eastgate and New Richmond area cases.
Walk-in OK Online Services Paternity Enforcement
Verified May 2025

Kentucky vs. Ohio — Side by Side

Key Differences
Feature Kentucky (DCBS) Ohio (CSEA)
Agency Name Department for Community Based Services Child Support Enforcement Agency
County Structure Statewide cabinet; county DCBS offices Each county CSEA is independently operated
New Case Walk-in ✓ Walk-ins accepted at all NKY offices Hamilton: Appointment required
Clermont: Walk-in OK
Filing Fee No fee to open a case through DCBS No fee to open a case through CSEA
Annual Service Fee $35/yr if never received public assistance $35/yr (federal requirement, same)
Online Payment Portal Kentucky CSI (kycsi.ky.gov) Ohio CSPC (childsupportportal.ohio.gov)
Paternity Testing Coordinated through DCBS; testing at approved labs CSEA arranges testing; often done at office
Income Withholding Within 2 business days of order Mandatory on all new orders, immediate
Modification Request Every 3 years or if income changes 15%+ Every 3 years or if income changes 10%+
Passport Denial $2,500+ arrears triggers federal passport denial $2,500+ arrears triggers federal passport denial
License Suspension Driver's, professional & recreational licenses Driver's, professional & recreational licenses

Child Support Estimator

KY & OH Guidelines

Estimate Your Monthly Child Support Payment

Based on Kentucky and Ohio income shares models. This is an estimate only — courts may deviate based on specific circumstances.

Estimated Monthly Payment
$—
This is an estimate based on the income shares model. Actual court-ordered amounts vary. Consult a family law attorney for advice specific to your case.

How to Open a Child Support Case

Step-by-Step

Kentucky (DCBS)

1
Gather Required Documents
Bring: photo ID, children's birth certificates, Social Security numbers (yours and children's), proof of income (2 recent pay stubs or tax return), any existing court orders, and the other parent's last known address and employer if available.
💡 Don't delay filing because you don't have the other parent's address — DCBS has locate services and can find them.
2
Contact or Visit Your County DCBS Office
Call your county DCBS office or walk in during business hours (8am–4:30pm, Mon–Fri). For Kenton County (Erlanger), call ahead or expect a wait. For Boone and Campbell counties, walk-in service is typically available same-day.
3
Complete the Application
You'll complete a child support application form (can be done online at chfs.ky.gov or in person). DCBS will review it and open your case within 20 days of a complete application.
💡 Kentucky law requires DCBS to locate the other parent, establish paternity if needed, establish the support order, and begin collection — all at no cost to you.
4
Paternity Establishment (if needed)
If paternity hasn't been established, DCBS will schedule DNA testing. Testing is typically done at a DCBS-approved lab. Results take 5–10 business days. If the alleged father refuses, DCBS pursues a court order for testing.
5
Support Order Established
DCBS calculates the guideline amount using the Kentucky child support calculator (income shares model). The order is filed in District/Family Court. Income withholding begins within 2 business days — payments come through DCBS, not directly from the other parent.

Ohio (CSEA)

1
Choose Your Filing Path
Ohio CSEA handles administrative orders. For cases involving custody or complex property issues, you may need to file in Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court separately. CSEA is the right choice for straightforward support establishment and enforcement.
2
Apply Online or In Person
Hamilton County: Schedule an appointment at (513) 946-2000 or apply online at jfs.ohio.gov. Clermont County: Walk-in accepted at 2400 Clermont Center Drive, Batavia.
💡 Hamilton County CSEA has a self-service kiosk in the lobby for status checks and document drop-off without an appointment.
3
Provide Required Information
Ohio CSEA needs: full names and addresses for both parents, children's birth dates and SSNs, your income documentation, and any existing court orders. Ohio requires a National Medical Support Notice to be sent with every new income withholding order — health insurance coverage is part of the order.
4
Administrative Order or Court Order
CSEA can issue an administrative support order without court involvement if both parties agree. If contested, CSEA files with Juvenile or Domestic Relations Court. Court hearings are typically scheduled 60–90 days out in Hamilton County.

Fee Schedule

KY & OH — 2025
Service Kentucky (DCBS) Ohio (CSEA) Notes
Open a New Case Free Free No fee to open through the government agency
Annual Service Fee $35/year $35/year Federally required; applied after $550+ collected; waived if you receive public assistance
Paternity DNA Testing $0–$500 $0–$500 Cost shifted to father if paternity confirmed; no upfront cost to mother in most cases
Modification Request Free (through DCBS) Free (through CSEA) Attorney fees apply if you hire private counsel; pro se is allowed
Payment Processing Fee Varies by method Varies by method ACH/direct debit: free; credit card: typically 2–3%; money order: $0
Certified Payment History Free Free Request in writing or at the office window; used for court proceedings
Interstate Case (other state) Free Free UIFSA governs; your home state agency handles coordination at no charge

Frequently Asked Questions

NKY & Cincinnati Specific
I live in Florence, KY — which office do I go to?

Florence is in Boone County, so your child support office is the Boone County DCBS office in Burlington at 3000 Goetz Drive. Despite Florence being the largest city in Boone County, there is no Florence-specific DCBS child support office — all Boone County cases are handled from Burlington. It's about a 10-minute drive from downtown Florence.

I live in Covington, KY — is there a Covington DCBS office?

There is a Covington DCBS office for general social services, but child support for Kenton County is handled exclusively from the Kenton County DCBS office in Erlanger at 3420 Turkeyfoot Road. If you're a Covington resident, you'll need to go to Erlanger for child support matters. The drive is about 15 minutes from downtown Covington.

Can I open a case in both Kentucky and Ohio if the other parent keeps moving between states?

No — you open a case in one state, and interstate coordination is handled under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA). If you live in Kentucky, open your case with your county DCBS office and they will pursue enforcement in Ohio if the other parent is there. You should not try to maintain two separate cases. The NKY/Ohio river border is common enough that DCBS and Ohio CSEA have established interstate communication procedures for this exact situation.

Why does Hamilton County CSEA start at 10am on Wednesdays?

Hamilton County CSEA uses Wednesday mornings (8–10am) for staff training, team meetings, and system maintenance tasks. The office is not open for public service during this time. This is a consistent policy — plan accordingly if Wednesday is the only day you can visit. All other days the office opens at 8am.

What's the difference between asking CSEA/DCBS for help vs. hiring an attorney?

DCBS (Kentucky) and CSEA (Ohio) provide free services to establish, modify, and enforce child support. They represent "the state's interest in ensuring child support is paid" — not you personally. An attorney represents your interests and can address custody, visitation, property, and complex financial situations simultaneously. For a straightforward support establishment or enforcement case, DCBS/CSEA is usually sufficient and free. For modifications involving contested custody or complex income situations, a family law attorney is advisable.

How long does it take to start receiving payments after I apply?

Timeline varies by case type:

  • If an order already exists: Enforcement and income withholding can begin within 2–4 weeks of application.
  • If no order exists, other parent cooperates: Administrative order can be established in 30–60 days.
  • If no order exists, other parent contests: Court hearing required; typically 60–120 days in NKY/Cincinnati courts.
  • If paternity must be established first: Add 2–6 weeks for DNA testing and results.
The other parent lives in Indiana — who do I call?

Contact your local DCBS (if you're in KY) or CSEA (if you're in OH) office and tell them the other parent lives in Indiana. Your agency will initiate an interstate case under UIFSA and contact Indiana's child support agency on your behalf. You do not need to contact Indiana directly. The process typically takes 60–90 additional days compared to an in-state case.