Child Support Services

Program Details

Chickasaw Nation Child Support Services (CNCSS) can:

Establish paternity for minor children through genetic testing and legal processes
Establish a child support order once paternity has been determined
Enforce existing child support orders
Provide additional resources to assist families

Program participants provide:

Completed child support services application or referral
Copies of:
- CDIB for all children, custodial parent and non-custodial parent (if available)
- Social Security cards for all children and non-custodial parent (if available)
- All court orders, divorce decrees, guardianship orders or paternity affidavits
- State-issued birth certificates for all children are only needed for paternity cases we are establishing. If there is an established order already, we do not require a copy.

Other Information

Appointments are not required, and walk-ins and phone calls are encouraged. There is no application fee for services. Cases can be presented in tribal or district courts.

Case Management:
CNCSS can assist with collecting child support payments owed by the non-custodial parent by:

Processing income assignments
Initiating child support court hearings
Implementing property liens
Modifying existing child support orders to ensure the order complies with child support guidelines
Intercepting state and federal tax refunds to apply to past-due child support
Working with other states and tribes when the non-custodial parent lives outside Oklahoma
Monitoring payments collected

Tribal Enforcement Payment Project (TEPP):

The Chickasaw Nation Tribal Enforcement Payment Project (TEPP) works with incarcerated parents upon release to:

Address barriers to employment
Provide employment resources
Conduct training or education referrals
Monitor success with resuming child support payments

Investigate/Locate:
CNCSS can locate most parents by using up-to-date computer systems and information databases.

Federal parent locator services
Utilizes information databases
Reviews court records
Monitors social media
Serves court documents

What is paternity?
1. Being a child’s father is paternity.
What is establishing paternity?
1. Establishing paternity is the process where an unmarried biological father becomes the legal father of a child.
Why is establishing paternity important?
1. The child benefits by:
  1. Identifying the father on the child’s birth certificate, which can then be used for enrollment in the father’s tribe;
  2. Establishing the child’s right to the father’s possible Social Security benefits, pensions and veteran’s benefits.
2. The mother benefits by:
  1. Using the establishment of paternity to pursue child support and other benefits that may be available through the father’s tribe.
3. The father benefits by:
  1. Having the opportunity to use the establishment of paternity to file for visitation and custody orders from the court.
How is paternity established?
1. Legal process - Chickasaw Nation Child Support Services (CNCSS) conducts DNA testing and obtains the court order to determine the actual biological father, at no cost to the parents;
2. Acknowledgment of Paternity – A form that can be signed by the parents voluntarily without DNA testing that names the child’s father on the birth certificate. Once an Acknowledgment of Paternity has been signed, the ability of CNCSS to change the listed father is very limited.
What if the father changes his mind after signing the Acknowledgment of Paternity?
1. The father has a very limited amount of time to withdraw the submitted Acknowledgment of Paternity. A withdrawal requires the submission of a specific form, completed by the father and sent to the Department of Vital Records with the state of Oklahoma.
What if the father is not sure or does not believe he is the child’s father?
1. If either the mother or father has any doubts about the identity of the biological father, the father should not sign the Acknowledgment of Paternity form. Instead, either or both parties should contact CNCSS or consult an attorney. CNCSS can perform DNA testing at no cost.
How accurate are DNA tests?
1. Unlike over-the-counter DNA tests, CNCSS uses an accredited lab to obtain DNA results that are admissible in court.
Who pays for DNA tests?
1. CNCSS will pay the entire cost of DNA testing upon application for services.
How soon can DNA testing be done?
1. CNCSS can do DNA testing as soon as the child is born and an application for services is received.
Do both parents and the child have to test at the same time?
1. CNCSS will make accommodations if either parent prefers to test separately.
How long does it take CNCSS to get the DNA test results?
1. Once everyone has submitted test samples, the results are usually available within three to five business days.
What happens when the DNA results come back?
1. If the DNA results show the man tested is the father, CNCSS will obtain a legal order of paternity. CNCSS will also obtain a certified birth certificate with the father’s name listed. Both will be obtained at no cost to the parents.
2. If the DNA results show the man tested is not the father, CNCSS will obtain a legal order of non-paternity at no cost.
Which court will CNCSS use to obtain a paternity order?
1. CNCSS can obtain a court order either in state court or tribal court, depending on the circumstances.
Should paternity be established if the unmarried parents have an agreement and/or are in a relationship?
1. Yes. It is important to establish paternity as soon as possible for both parents and the child. Relationships between two people can change over time.
If the parents are not married, who has custody of the child?
1. Under Oklahoma law, the mother of the child born to unmarried parents has custody of the child until determined otherwise by a court.
Will establishing paternity give the father custody and/or visitation rights?
1. Once CNCSS establishes paternity, either parent can seek the advice of an attorney, mediator or court advocate to file for a visitation/custody order from the court.
Will establishing paternity also establish child support?
1. No. However, CNCSS can establish child support at the same time as paternity at no cost to either parent. If they agree, parents do not have to establish child support.
Does paternity have to be established before child support can be ordered?
1. Yes. CNCSS can establish paternity and child support at no cost to either parent.
How are services from CNCSS obtained?
1. If you have any questions or need an application for services, call 1 (866) 436-3419. Applications can also be downloaded from the internet by visiting the website: Chickasaw.net/Services/Family/Child-Support-Services and selecting the “Child Support Services Application” link. There is no cost to apply for services.
Can either mother or father apply for services with CNCSS?
1. Yes. Either mother or father can apply.
Can the parents apply for services with CNCSS if they are under the age of 18?
1. No. The parents/legal guardians of the underage parents can apply for services. Once the underage parent reaches the age of 18, they can fill out an application and take over the case.

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