How the Child Support Recalculation Service (CSRS) works
Last updated on December 18, 2025On this page
- If the court requires recalculation of your child support
- If you want to have your child support recalculated
- How to enrol in the Child Support Recalculation Service (CSRS)
- The recalculation process
- If you are enrolled in the British Columbia Family Maintenance Agency
- If you disagree with the recalculation decision
- CSRS quick links
- Contact CSRS
If the court requires recalculation of your child support
If the court orders that your child support be recalculated, the following steps will be taken:
- The court registry will send a copy of the order to the Child Support Recalculation Service (CSRS). You can contact CSRS to make sure your order has been received.
- CSRS will review the order.
- CSRS will send a confirmation letter and information package to you and the other parent named in the order.
If you want to have your child support recalculated
You or the other parent can still apply to CSRS if your order or agreement does not say your child support must be recalculated.
It does not matter if you are the recipient (the parent who receives child support) or the payor (the parent who pays child support). If you enrol, the other parent is enrolled automatically.
CSRS cannot reduce or cancel child support arrears (unpaid child support amounts). If parents do not agree on the arrears owed, a parent can make an application to court. A judge can then decide on child support arrears. Family Justice Centres and Justice Access Centres have staff who can help to provide information regarding the court process.
How to enrol in the Child Support Recalculation Service (CSRS)
How to apply
You can apply to CSRS online.
To apply by mail, complete and print the Child Support Recalculation Application. Mail the completed form to:
Child Support Recalculation Service
PO Box 2074 Station Main
Vancouver BC V6B 3S3
Finding out if you are eligible
If you’re eligible for recalculation, CSRS will notify you and the other parent. The notice will include:
- A CSRS file number
- Information on the recalculation process
The recalculation process
The process to recalculate your child support takes about four to five months. Before recalculating your child support, CSRS will:
- Set the recalculation anniversary date. This is the date when your new child support amount will start and become payable. It could be based on your order or agreement date, or another date depending on when you enrolled.
- Request current income tax information from the payor. CSRS may also request current tax information from the recipient if their income is needed to determine the child support amount or special expenses.
CSRS will use your income tax information filed for the most recent tax year. It is therefore important to file your taxes each year with the Canada Revenue Agency.
CSRS will recalculate your child support amount if it differs by at least $5.00 per month from the current amount.
When income information is not provided
CSRS may still recalculate your child support if it does not receive the tax information you or the other parent have been asked to provide. To do this, CSRS may take the following steps:
- Add 10 to 30 percent to the parent’s income amount that was last used to determine child support in an order, agreement or recalculation decision.
- Use the higher income amount to recalculate your child support.
The rate of increase will depend on how much time has passed since your child support was last reviewed.
Receiving a Statement of Recalculation
Once a recalculation decision has been reached, CSRS will send both parents a Statement of Recalculation. The Statement of Recalculation includes:
- The results of the decision
- The income information used to recalculate the child support amount
- The date the new child support amount will start and become payable
CSRS will send the Statement of Recalculation to:
- You
- The other parent
- The court registry where your order was made or where your agreement was filed, so they can update your court file
After the Statement of Recalculation has been sent, CSRS will send a final notice to both parents to confirm the new child support has amount started.
If you are enrolled with the BC Family Maintenance Agency
If you are enrolled with the BC Family Maintenance Agency, CSRS will send the BC Family Maintenance Agency a copy of your Statement of Recalculation. If applicable, the BC Family Maintenance Agency will update their records.
If you disagree with the recalculation decision
You can apply to the court to change your order within 30 days of receiving the Statement of Recalculation:
- For information on how to apply, check with the court registry where your order was made or where your agreement was filed.
- A court application may stop the recalculated child support amount from taking effect (this means your existing child support obligation continues).
Inform CSRS that you have filed an application. Once informed, CSRS will monitor your recalculation file and the outcome of the application.
You may wish to seek legal advice about your situation.