Anyone who has a child support and/or medical support order, or wants to establish one, can apply for child support enforcement services by completing an application form. After the application form is signed, the child support process begins. Parents who receive public assistance, including Medi-Cal, will automatically be referred to the Department of Child Support Services by the Welfare Department. The Department of Child Support Services will take the following steps to collect support from a non-custodial parent:

• Step 1: Open a Child Support Case
• Step 2: Locate the Parent
• Step 3: Establish Paternity
• Step 4: Establish a Support Order
• Step 5: Enforcement of Support Orders