The child-support document checklist.

A support calculation is only as reliable as the records behind it. This checklist covers what most courts and agencies ask for. Gather it before you calculate, so every number on your worksheet can be traced to a document.

Income records for each parent

• The three most recent pay stubs, showing year-to-date gross pay.
• W-2 and 1099 forms for the past two or three years.
• Complete federal and state tax returns, with all schedules.
• Bonus, commission and overtime statements.
• Benefit letters for Social Security, disability, unemployment, veterans’ benefits, pensions or workers’ compensation.
• Rental income records and leases.
• Interest and dividend statements.

Self-employment records

• Business tax returns and a year-to-date profit-and-loss statement.
• Business bank statements.
• Platform or marketplace annual summaries for gig work.

See self-employment income for child support for how these are used.

Children’s costs

• Child-care invoices or a provider statement.
• Employer statements showing health-insurance premiums for employee-only and family coverage.
• Recurring uninsured medical, dental, vision and therapy costs.
• School tuition or special-needs expenses, where your state allows them.

Parenting time and existing orders

• The parenting plan or custody order.
• A calendar of actual overnights for each child if the schedule varies.
• Every existing support order, for this case and for other children.
• A payment history from the state disbursement unit.

State forms

Many states require a specific financial affidavit or income and expense declaration. Examples include Florida Form 12.902(b) or (c), Alabama Forms CS-41 and CS-42, Missouri Form 14 and California’s Income and Expense Declaration. Each state guide on this site lists the forms for that state and links to the official source.

Keep sensitive data off shared devices

You do not need Social Security numbers, account numbers or children’s names to estimate support. The calculators on this site run in your browser and do not ask for those details. Store the underlying documents somewhere secure and share them only through the court or agency process.

Organize the file

1. Create one folder for each parent and one for the children’s costs.
2. Name files by document and period, for example “2026-09 pay stub”.
3. Write a one-page summary listing each number you will enter and its source document.
4. Print the calculator report and keep it with the summary.

Next: prepare income without double counting, or choose your state.

Updated October 17, 2026. Published by Kestervale LLC. Educational information, not legal advice. Report a correction.