Registering a Support Order

What happens when a support order is registered with the Family Responsibility Office (FRO)?

When a support order is registered, it provides the FRO with the authority to collect and enforce the support payments outlined in that order.

How is a support order or domestic contract registered?

When an Ontario court makes a support order, it also issues a support deduction order. The support deduction order is sent to the FRO and is automatically registered.

When a domestic contract has been filed with the court, the payor or recipient may choose to register it with the FRO.

To register a domestic contract with the FRO you must:

• File the domestic contract, or paternity agreement, with the Ontario Court of Justice or Superior Court of Justice (Family Court) along with an Affidavit for Filing.
• Mail a copy of the domestic contract, or paternity agreement along with a copy of the affidavit and a completed registration package to the FRO.

Once that information has been received the domestic contract is registered.

How will I know when my support order or domestic contract has been registered with the FRO?

Once a support order has been registered with the FRO, an introduction letter and registration package is sent to the payor and recipient. It is important that the registration package be completed and returned to the FRO. This information will be used to update your file and assist with enforcing support.

When the FRO receives a copy of the domestic contract, the affidavit and a completed registration package, correspondence will be sent to the payor and recipient indicating that the case has been registered.

Two weeks after your case has been registered with the FRO, you will receive a Personal Identification Number (PIN). This number is unique to you, and will allow you to access your case information on the FRO automated information line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What does the FRO do with the information in the Registration Package?

All information provided in the registration package is confidential. It is used to register the support order or domestic contract, update the case information, and help with enforcement.

What happens next?

If the support payor's employer or income source was identified on the support deduction order, or in the FRO registration package, the FRO will issue a support deduction notice. The support deduction notice requires the employer or income source to deduct support payments from the payor's wages and forward them to the FRO. The support payor is sent a copy of each support deduction notice.

What information should I provide to the FRO?

Current information is essential for the FRO to keep accurate records and to enforce the support order. Let us know immediately if:

• There are any changes to a court order, or if the support obligation changes or ends.
• The recipient receives a payment directly from the payor. The payor must make all support payments through the FRO to avoid file errors and administrative fees.
• The recipient or payor move or change their telephone number.
• The recipient or payor change their name. The FRO must receive proof of the name change (e.g., a birth or marriage certificate, sworn affidavit or a court order).
• There are support arrears owing at the time of registration. The support recipient must file a Statement of Arrears form for any support payments not received before a case is registered. This will ensure that the FRO collects any outstanding arrears before the date the case was registered.

Can a case be withdrawn from the program?

Yes. The recipient and the payor must agree in writing to withdraw from the program by sending the FRO a completed Notice of Withdrawal form. If the case is in arrears, the recipient may withdraw without the payor's consent. If the support order is assigned, the appropriate social assistance delivery agent must also agree to withdraw. If the assigned social assistance delivery agent is owed arrears, the support payor and support recipient may withdraw but the FRO will continue to enforce for support owed to the delivery agent.

A fee of $50 will be charged to both the support recipient and the support payor if they want to re-open a closed case and re-register with the FRO at a later date.

Where can I get more information?

TTY: 1-866-545-0083

24-Hour Automated Information Line: 416-326-1818 or toll-free at 1-800-267-7263
for general information about the FRO.

Customer Service Unit: 416-326-1817 or toll-free at 1-800-267-4330
for general inquiries such as payment information, to update your address or to request forms. Call Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Enforcement Call Centre: 416-326-1817 or toll-free at 1-800-267-4330
for specific enforcement information. Call Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.