If you are a parent who pays or receives child support in Mississippi, you may wonder how it affects your credit score. After all, child support can impact on your financial situation, but does it also show up on your credit report?
Does child support show up on my credit report?
Yes, if you owe child support. According to the Mississippi Department of Human Services, a noncustodial parent who owes back child support will be reported to the credit bureaus. This means that if you fall behind on your payments, it will show up as a negative item on your credit report. Negative items can lower your credit score.
What if I am not behind on payments?
If you are current on your child support payments, it likely will not appear on your credit report, but it is possible. However, the Office of Child Support Enforcement states that there is no federal law that restricts the reporting of child support obligors to credit bureaus, whether they are current or in arrears.
The law and OCSE’s regulations establish minimums, not limits. The OCSE encourages state agencies to report all noncustodial parents with a legitimate child support obligation, but each state has its own policies and procedures for doing so. Therefore, it is possible that your child support payments are not reported to the credit bureaus if you are paying on time and in full.
How do I check my child support balance and payment history?
If you want to know how much child support you owe or have paid in Mississippi, you can check your balance and payment history on the MDHS website. You will need to register for an account and provide your Social Security Number and case number. The website allows you to make payments. It also contains your account history, balance, payment history, disbursement options and all the details of your child support case.