Contacting us from abroad
When parents live abroad
The Child Support Agency can only deal with an application for child maintenance when both parents and the child live in the UK.
The only exceptions to this are when the non-resident parent:
- is working abroad in the service of the crown, for example, is a civil servant or works within Her Majesty's diplomatic service or within Her Majesty's overseas civil service
- is a member of the Armed Forces
- works abroad for a UK based company, for example, it employs people to work outside the UK but makes payments via a UK payroll; and the company is registered under the Companies Act 1985 (England, Wales and Scotland) or the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986
- works abroad on secondment for a prescribed body, for example, from an NHS trust, regional health authority, primary care trust or local authority.
You can get more advice about whether these rules apply to you from our National Helpline on +44 151 243 1901.
Page topIf the rules do not apply
REMO
If the non-resident parent lives abroad and does not fall into one of the categories above then the parent with care can apply to the UK courts for child maintenance. If the parent with care needs help in collecting the money awarded under the court order for maintenance they can contact the Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders section at the Official Solicitor & Public Trustee. Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders (REMO) is the process by which maintenance orders made by UK courts on behalf of UK residents can be registered and enforced by the courts or other authorities in other countries.
REMO also allows UK courts to enforce maintenance orders against UK residents that were set up by individuals living in other countries.
When the non-resident parent lives in Australia
If the non-resident parent lives in Australia and the parent with care lives in the UK then the Australian Child Support Agency may be able to accept an application to assess maintenance.
Visit Australian Child Support Agency website
Page topCalling from Abroad
It is generally not possible to use the 0845 numbers advertised in our leaflets and elsewhere on this website when calling from abroad. If your maintenance has been calculated by the Child Support Agency you can contact the centre dealing with your case using the following numbers:
Falkirk: +44 1324 625758
Hastings: +44 1424 465095
Dudley: +44 1384 480188
Plymouth: +44 1752 695111
Birkenhead: +44 151 649 0861
Belfast: +44 28 9043 8596
If you are calling about a case assessed before March 2003 use the following number:
National Helpline: +44 151 243 1901
Page topRelated information
- Read our leaflet
"How is child maintenance worked out?" [PDF 780Kb]
