N
The Global Insight

Can a foreigner get child support from an American?

Author

Christopher Davis

Updated on March 08, 2026

If your child is a U.S. citizen and you are living abroad, then you will need to contact the child support agency in the state that the other parent lives in order to begin the process for obtaining child support. Child support laws differ between states, so you must contact the individual state office..

Does child support violate the 14th Amendment?

1209.5 (West 1982), governing the prima facie showing of contempt of a court order to make child support payments, was unconstitutional under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause because it shifts to the defendant the burden of proof as to ability to comply with the order, which is an element of the crime of …

Do I have to pay child support if I move to Canada?

Your relocation to Canada will have no impact on your obligation to pay your support.

Do non US citizens pay child support?

Undocumented Parent (Status) If the parents of a child are separated, the parent with whom the child lives can pursue child support. Even if she is undocumented, she may ask a judge to order child support. So, the status of a parent as ‘undocumented’ does not affect his financial obligation.

Can I get child support if the father is not a U.S. citizen?

Residency is not required for a person to apply for child support services. However, if you live outside the U.S., state law in the U.S. state you apply to will determine the help that the state can provide. (See FAQs under When the Custodial Parent Lives Outside the U.S.)

What country has no child support?

There countries are Australia, the Czech Republic, Canada, El Salvador, Hungary, Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Norway, Portugal, The United Kingdom, the Slovak Republic and Switzerland. As you can see from that list, it leaves those who do not want to pay with many options.

How much back child support is a felony in Texas?

The charge can increase to a criminal felony and up to two years in prison when child support in Texas hasn’t been paid in two years or the amount owed reaches $10,000 or more. Child support enforcement must begin at the state or local level before proceeding to a federal court.

Can I claim child support if I live in Mexico?

Regardless which country you live in or where your child lives, you are obligated to pay child support. If you are a foreigner or a Mexican National who is two months overdue on your child support payments and there is a court order regarding the child support filed, this new law will affect you.

What is the most you can pay for child support?

They must first sue you, win the lawsuit, and get the court to issue a wage garnishment order against you. Once they jump through all of these hoops, the amount they can garnish is limited to a maximum of 25% of your disposable income.

What do you need to know about child support modification?

The best evidence is the most recent tax returns and recent pay stubs. After the court orders a specific child support amount, it is often the case that one parent may seek to modify the child support agreement. However, a parent seeking child support modification will need to prove a change of circumstances.

How can I change the amount of child support?

Changing A Child Support Amount. At any time, either parent or the child’s legal guardian can ask for a change (called a “modification”) to increase or decrease the amount of court-ordered child support. You can petition the court yourself with the help of your county’s Family Law Facilitator or a private attorney,…

Can a parent in another country enforce a child support order?

When one parent lives in another country, it can be extremely difficult for the other parent to enforce an existing child support order. However, some cases are not quite as complex as others. The United States has reciprocal agreements with several foreign countries for the enforcement of child support orders through the Secretary of State.

How to modify a child support order in Texas?

Child Support in Texas Paying and Receiving Child Support Get Back On Track Modify Child Support Mod­i­fy Child Support You may have questions about how child support payments and orders can be modified. Here’s some information that can help.