Child support payers

The District commissioner of North West Iceland is responsible for the collection of child support. 

Under Icelandic law, a child is guaranteed a minimum level of support. The party with whom the child is domiciled has the right to receive child support from the other party.   

Councillors and courts rule on the obligation to pay child support. The Social Insurance Administration may prepay the child support to right holders on request. The District Commissioner shall then collect it from the liable party. Note that parents can pay the child support directly without mediation of the Social Insurance Administration. Child support payments are often skipped when access is equal, and the cost of the children is divided equally between parents.  

Child support payments are not linked to social security payments and the amount of child support is the same as the amount of child pension from the Social Insurance Administration.  

The amount of child support from January 1st 2024 is 46,147 kr. 

Invoice 0161-26-49 kt. 660914-0990 . Receipt to medlag@syslumenn.is  

For international transfers: IBAN EN61 0161 2600 0049 6609 1409 90 SWIFT (BIC) NBIIISRE 

New child support payers 

Persons who pay the cost of supporting a child or children may claim child support from the other parent. The person in question must exercise custody of the child and the child must have legal domicile with that parent.  

Child support can either be confirmed by an agreement between parents at the district commissioner, a ruling by the district commissioner or by a court order. Following such a decision or agreement, the parent who has a claim to payments may contact Social Insurance Administration (Tryggingastofnun) and receive the child support in advance.   

When the Social Insurance Administration has commenced payments of child maintenance to its beneficiaries, the district commissioner shall take over the collection. A special letter to this effect is sent out stating the amount of the debt and the amount of child support payable each month. 

The recipient of child support may apply for the same year. 

Collection process

When a claim is established, it is displayed in the debtor's home bank. If the claim cannot be paid within 30 days and the claim is not agreed upon, the following means of enforcing payment shall apply: 

• Claim sent to employer 

• Balance of debt 

• Capital expropriation 

• Involuntary sale 

• Registration on default register