Child Support

Overview

The child support division is the central governmental depository for child support and alimony payments. This office strictly handles payments to be made in Sumter County. Effective 10/1/99, there was a change in Florida's Child Support Enforcement law as a result of both Federal and State mandates for the receipt and disbursement of support payments.

The Florida legislature passed Chapter 98-397, laws of Florida, (CS\CS\HB 271) which mandated the Department of Revenue to contract with the Florida Association of Court Clerks (FACC) and each depository to perform duties with respect to the operation and maintenance of a State Disbursement Unit (SDU). With the passage of Florida Statutes, section 61.1824, the Legislature established a centralized location for the collection and disbursement of child support payments known as the State of Florida Disbursement Unit (FLSDU). The FLSDU shall be responsible for the collection and disbursement of most of the payments for Sumter County.

Voice Response Unit

A Voice Response Unit (VRU) is available with basic payment information. The VRU also will allow you to speak with a customer service representative. The telephone number is 877-769-0251 (toll free), or Tallahassee area (850) 201-0140. The system will prompt you for your Social Security Number and Case Number. To use the system, you will need to ensure the Clerk of the Circuit Court has your correct Social Security Number. The case number must be entered as a nine digit number (example: case # 2003-59-DR is entered as 030000059).

If you have any questions about these procedures you can contact this office at (352) 569-6810 or the customer service representative at the State Disbursement Unit at the telephone number listed above.

Payment Procedures


Procedures for making payments to FLSDU
Most child support and alimony payments for Sumter County, Florida are to be sent to the Florida State Disbursement Unit (SDU). The SDU will receive your payment and post it to the appropriate account. All payments must have the proper identification to be processed the same day that it is received.

Proper Identification means:
  • Full name of person obligated to make the payment
  • Social Security Number of the Obligor
  • County Name where your case is recorded
  • Support Case Number
  • Full name of the person to receive the payment


It is very important you include these items on the front of your check or money order, without this information payments cannot be processed!

Payments are to be mailed to:


State of Florida Disbursement Unit
P.O. Box 8500
Tallahassee, FL 32314-8500


Payors will receive payment coupons from the SDU to mail in with your payment if you keep the Clerk's office informed of your current address. If your support is being paid through an income deduction order, your employer will be notified to send the payments to the FLSDU, but feel free to share this notice with them.

Payees must keep the Clerk's office informed of your current mailing address as checks are not forwarded. Also, contact the Department of Revenue Child Support Enforcement at 850-488-5437 of your change of address if your case is handled through that state agency.

The Clerk has elected to continue to handle private cases and over the counter child support payments. This decision was made in an effort to continue service to local residence and assist parents in handling difficult situations concerning their child support checks.