Use this form to apply for child support when you're a parent or non-parent carer of a child in New Zealand. For overseas agreements, see our international section for child support.
Before you start
You'll need:
- IRD numbers for you and your children
- your bank account and income details
- proof of each child's date of birth - for example, a birth certificate
- proof of parentage
- information about the other parent or carers.
In myIR, select the 'I want to...' tab
Select 'Apply for child support'
You'll find this under the heading 'Registration, application and enrolment'.
Enter your details and submit
Give us as much information as you can. The form will be pre-filled with any information we already have about you - for example, your IRD number.
Log in to myIR
Applying online if you do not have myIR
You can still apply for a formula assessment online, even if you do not have a myIR account.
Apply for formula assessment online
Applying over the phone
You can also apply for a formula assessment over the phone. You’ll need to send us copies of the children’s birth certificates if we do not already have them.
Contact us about child support
Non-parent carers
Non-parent carers can also fill out the Application to assess child support by a non-parent carer - IR954 form.
If you only want to collect from 1 parent and you do not get the Unsupported Child's Benefit, you can choose not to collect payment from the other parent.
Check you've included your correct information and any documents we need. Sign the form and send your documents to us at:
Child Support
PO Box 39010
Wellington Mail Centre
Lower Hutt 5045
What happens next
We'll assess your application within 2 weeks and send the receiving carer and liable parent a notice. The notice will tell you how much you will get or need to pay.
Liable parents have 30 days to make their first payment.
Receiving carers get paid by the 23rd of the same month if the liable parent has paid on time. For example, if the liable parent pays by 20 May, the receiving carer will get paid by 23 May.
If the receiving carer gets the Unsupported Child's Benefit, payments will go to the Government to help pay for their benefit. The receiving carer will get any remaining amount.
My responsibilities
From now on, you'll always need to:
- tell us about any changes to your income or care arrangements as soon as you can
- keep up payments if you are the liable parent
- deal with debt as soon as possible
- let us know if the child leaves care, starts working full time or, if 18 years old, leaves school.
If we've asked you to complete a Recognised care questionnaire - IR120, you'll need to fill it out and send it to us.
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