Open a Case Opening a Child Support Case A child support case is opened by the non-custodial parent or custodial party by completing an application. Applications are available on the State Customer Connect site. You may also visit our office to obtain an application packet and/or an interview.  If your child (ren) is currently receiving CalWORKS benefits you do not need to complete an application form; a case will automatically be opened for you. Once DCSS receives a completed, signed application we will mail both parties a letter notifying them the case is open and provide the Department of Child Support Services case number. (We would be happy to provide assistance with the application process. Please allow approximately one hour for this process.) The DCSS opens cases: At the request of the custodial party or the non-custodial parent Upon a referral from the California Department of Social Services as a result of the application for TANF (Temporary Aide for Needy Families)  At the request of another jurisdiction (inter-county, inter-state, or international cases) The Butte County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) provides child support services to custodial parents at no cost.  When you are applying for services, please remember you are our best informative resource.  The more complete, reliable, and accurate the information is that you provide, the easier and faster it will be to enforce the child support order. The following information is requested to open your case: Completed application The full legal name, address, and phone number of the parent owing support Any information on any other names the party is known by  Dates and places of birth of the non-custodial parent and the child (ren)  A physical description of the non-custodial parent  A recent photo of the non-custodial parent (optional) Social Security numbers for all parents and the child (ren)  Name and address of the non-custodial parent's current or most recent employer  Names of any professional organizations or unions with which the non-custodial parent is affiliated Copies of the child (ren)'s birth certificates  Names of friends and relatives of the non-custodial parent Location of property that the non-custodial parent or the parents of the non-custodial  parents own Information pertaining to income and other assets of the non-custodial parent (i.e., pay slips, tax returns, bank accounts, cars, boats, RVs, investments or property holdings) Existence and extent of any permanent disability A copy of any child support order (if applicable)  A marriage license or certificate (if applicable)  The divorce decree or separation agreement (if applicable)  Any other information that would be helpful to determine the ability to pay or how to best collect the child support owed, such as knowledge of trusts, royalties, commissions, stock or bonds, etc. The Department of Child Support Services and the court follow the child support guidelines found in the California Family Code, Sections 4055 - 4076. The court looks at several factors when determining how much child support a parent should pay: The number of children involved  The net income of both parents  The percentage of time each parent has physical custody of the child (ren)  The tax filing status of both parents  The existence of hardships su