Title and escrow companies can now use a secure digital form to make and track requests related to child support liens.

Start the form on the website of the California Department of Child Support Services.

When you submit the form, you must also upload images of:

• The abstract or notice of support judgment for the lien
• An information release signed by the child support participant or debtor named on the lien

Once you complete the form and submit the supporting documents, your request is sent to a Local Child Support Agency (LCSA) like ours. You can track the progress of your request online.

The LCSA that controls the lien will provide you with a written demand within 15 days of when they receive it. We cannot give you a verbal quote or other information about your request.

Make all payments by check, payable to the California State Disbursement Unit.

On the check, write:

• The word “Lien”
• The name of the child support participant named on the lien,
• That person’s child support participant number.

Once the state processes your payment, you can access an electronic copy of the final document.

You will receive the required hardcopy by mail.

Your title company will need to record the documents with the right county’s recorder’s office. We will not record the lien for you.

California requires LCSAs to place a lien on any real property owned by parents who pay support.

Real property liens are legal holds placed on property. They tie that property to a specific obligation. In this case, the obligation is an order to pay child support. These liens keep the person who owns that property from selling, transferring, or refinancing it until they fully meet the obligation.

LCSAs place these liens at the beginning of a child support case. The parent does not have to have missed payments or be behind on their current support to have a lien.