The Child Support Division reports to credit bureaus when a parent owes past due child support, also called arrears. Banks and other creditors can limit or deny credit to parents based on information the division reports.
The division reports a parent to credit bureaus if both the following are true. The parent:
Thirty (30) days before reporting the arrears to credit bureaus, the division sends the parent a Notice of Intent to Report Arrears. The division will continue to report information to credit bureaus until the parent pays the arrears in full.
The parent has 21 days from the date of the notice to contest the start of credit bureau reporting. To contest the reporting, the parent must request an administrative review from the county child support agency listed on the notice. The parent's request must be made in writing and include the reason for the review.
If the parent does not contest credit bureau reporting within 21 days, the division will report the arrears to two major credit bureau agencies:
If the parent believes the credit bureaus are reporting inaccurate information, he or she may contact each credit bureau to dispute the inaccurate information.
Parents can dispute the information on their credit report online or in writing directly to:
Equifax Information Services, LLC
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
TransUnion LLC Consumer Dispute Center
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016
Credit bureaus notify the division when a parent files a dispute. The division responds to the credit bureaus electronically.
If the parent believes the division reported information inaccurately, the parent may submit a Credit Reporting Direct Dispute Claim Form to the division.
The division cannot report the parent to credit bureaus if either of the following is true:
State laws are on the Minnesota Office of Revisor of Statutes website. Federal regulations are on the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations site.
