How to Modify Child Support in New Hampshire
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · New Hampshire · Last updated September 21, 2026
In New Hampshire, a child support modification is a court or state agency order changing the amount of an existing child support order after circumstances change, and the state's distinctive rule lets either parent apply 3 years after the last order without showing a substantial change of circumstances (RSA 458-C:7). You can also ask at any time if a substantial change of circumstances has occurred, such as a job loss, a large income change, or a change in the child's needs, and New Hampshire sets no fixed percentage you must clear. Support is set by a statewide formula tied to each parent's income (RSA 458-C:3), so a real income change can make the current amount too high or too low. You have two paths. You can file a Petition to Change Court Order (Form NHJB-2062-F) with the Circuit Court Family Division that handles your case, or, if the Bureau of Child Support Services manages your case, that agency reviews orders at least every 3 years and can seek an adjustment. A change takes effect only back to the date notice of your petition is given to the other parent, so support that already came due cannot be reduced (RSA 458-C:7, RSA 461-A:14). Keep paying your current order until it is changed. Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft.
Find out where you stand in New Hampshire
Where are you with changing your child support order?
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How do I modify child support in New Hampshire?
File a Petition to Change Court Order (Form NHJB-2062-F) with the Circuit Court Family Division that issued your order, or ask the Bureau of Child Support Services to review it. You must show a substantial change of circumstances, unless 3 years have passed since the last order (RSA 458-C:7).
How much does income have to change to modify child support in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire sets no fixed percentage. You show a substantial change of circumstances, such as a real income change, a job loss, or a change in the child's needs (RSA 458-C:7). Once 3 years have passed since the last order, you can apply without showing any change at all.
How far back can a child support change go in New Hampshire?
A modification cannot be effective before the date notice of your petition is given to the other parent (RSA 458-C:7). It cannot alter arrearages due before you file the motion (RSA 461-A:14). Support that already came due stays owed, so filing promptly protects you. Keep paying until the order changes.
Which court handles child support modifications in New Hampshire?
The Circuit Court Family Division in the location where your existing order is filed handles modifications. If the Bureau of Child Support Services manages your case, that state agency reviews support orders at least every 3 years and can seek an adjustment when the guideline amount would change (RSA 458-C:7).
New Hampshire child support modification at a glance
In New Hampshire, a child support modification is a court or agency order changing the amount of an existing support order after circumstances change. The state's distinctive rule lets either parent apply 3 years after the last order without showing a substantial change of circumstances, and at any time if a substantial change has occurred (RSA 458-C:7). New Hampshire sets no fixed percentage. Support follows a statewide formula tied to each parent's income (RSA 458-C:3). You file a Petition to Change Court Order (Form NHJB-2062-F) with the Circuit Court Family Division, or the Bureau of Child Support Services can review your order at least every 3 years. A change applies only back to the date notice of your petition is given, so support already due cannot be reduced (RSA 458-C:7, RSA 461-A:14).
Lowering a New Hampshire order after 3 years and a pay cut
Suppose your New Hampshire order was entered more than 3 years ago, so under RSA 458-C:7 you can ask to change it without even showing a substantial change of circumstances. Say your income has also dropped since then. You complete a Petition to Change Court Order (Form NHJB-2062-F) and a Personal Data Sheet, file them with the Circuit Court Family Division, and make sure the other parent receives notice of the petition. Because a change is effective only back to the date that notice is given (RSA 458-C:7), you act promptly and keep paying your current amount until the court rules. At the hearing the court recalculates support under the formula (RSA 458-C:3) and signs a new order from the notice date. Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
RSA 458-C:7 (adjustment or modification of support orders)
Lets either parent apply for modification 3 years after the last order without showing a substantial change of circumstances, or at any time on a substantial change, and provides that a modification shall not be effective prior to the date that notice of the petition for modification has been given to the respondent.
RSA 461-A:14 (modification and arrearages)
Provides that no modification of a support order shall alter any arrearages due prior to the date of filing the motion for modification, so support that already came due before you file cannot be wiped out by a later change.
RSA 458-C:3 (child support formula)
Sets out New Hampshire's statewide child support formula, applying income-based percentages to the parents' combined net income according to the number of children, which the court uses to recalculate support on a modification.
New Hampshire Judicial Branch: child support (Circuit Court Family Division)
The Circuit Court Family Division child support page explains how to change an order at any time on a substantial change of circumstances or 3 years after the last order, and which forms to file, including the Petition to Change Court Order (NHJB-2062-F).
Regional Variances
New Hampshire child support modification rules at a glance
Qualifying threshold
New Hampshire sets no fixed percentage. You show a substantial change of circumstances, or you can apply 3 years after the last order without showing any change at all (RSA 458-C:7).
Where to file
The Circuit Court Family Division that handles your existing order. If the Bureau of Child Support Services manages your case, that state agency can review and seek an adjustment to the order.
Modification form
Petition to Change Court Order (Form NHJB-2062-F) with a Personal Data Sheet (Form NHJB-2077-F). The New Hampshire Judicial Branch provides these forms free through the Circuit Court Family Division.
Retroactivity
A modification cannot be effective before the date notice of the petition is given to the other parent (RSA 458-C:7), and it cannot alter arrearages due before the motion is filed (RSA 461-A:14).
Periodic review
The Bureau of Child Support Services reviews applicable orders at least every 3 years and notifies parties of their right to request a review, consistent with the federal 3-year floor (45 CFR 303.8).
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Confirm your basis to modify
Before you file days after startingCheck whether a substantial change of circumstances has occurred or whether 3 years have passed since your last order (RSA 458-C:7), and gather pay stubs and tax returns showing your current income. Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft.
Complete the Petition to Change Court Order (NHJB-2062-F)
As soon as your circumstances change days after startingFill out the Petition to Change Court Order (Form NHJB-2062-F) and a Personal Data Sheet (Form NHJB-2077-F), ask to change child support, and describe the changed circumstances. Use the free New Hampshire Judicial Branch forms.
File with the Circuit Court Family Division
Promptly (the change dates from notice) days after startingFile your petition and Personal Data Sheet with the Circuit Court Family Division clerk and pay the fee, or ask for a fee waiver. Because a change dates only from notice of your petition, file promptly (RSA 458-C:7).
Give notice to the other parent
Right after filing days after startingMake sure the other parent receives notice of your petition by service or written acceptance of a copy. New Hampshire ties the effective date of any change to when notice is given, so do not delay (RSA 458-C:7).
Consider a Bureau of Child Support Services review
Anytime your case is with the agency days after startingIf the Bureau of Child Support Services manages your case, ask it to review your order. The agency reviews applicable orders at least every 3 years and can seek an adjustment under the guideline (RSA 458-C:7).
Attend the hearing and get the new order
On your hearing date days after startingGo to the hearing with your income proof, let the court recalculate support under the formula (RSA 458-C:3), and get the signed order effective back to the notice date. Keep paying your current order until then.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirm your basis to modify | Check whether a substantial change of circumstances has occurred or whether 3 years have passed since your last order (RSA 458-C:7), and gather pay stubs and tax returns showing your current income. Attorney review of your filing is available through DocDraft. | - | Before you file |
| Complete the Petition to Change Court Order (NHJB-2062-F) | Fill out the Petition to Change Court Order (Form NHJB-2062-F) and a Personal Data Sheet (Form NHJB-2077-F), ask to change child support, and describe the changed circumstances. Use the free New Hampshire Judicial Branch forms. | - | As soon as your circumstances change |
| File with the Circuit Court Family Division | File your petition and Personal Data Sheet with the Circuit Court Family Division clerk and pay the fee, or ask for a fee waiver. Because a change dates only from notice of your petition, file promptly (RSA 458-C:7). | - | Promptly (the change dates from notice) |
| Give notice to the other parent | Make sure the other parent receives notice of your petition by service or written acceptance of a copy. New Hampshire ties the effective date of any change to when notice is given, so do not delay (RSA 458-C:7). | - | Right after filing |
| Consider a Bureau of Child Support Services review | If the Bureau of Child Support Services manages your case, ask it to review your order. The agency reviews applicable orders at least every 3 years and can seek an adjustment under the guideline (RSA 458-C:7). | - | Anytime your case is with the agency |
| Attend the hearing and get the new order | Go to the hearing with your income proof, let the court recalculate support under the formula (RSA 458-C:3), and get the signed order effective back to the notice date. Keep paying your current order until then. | - | On your hearing date |
Frequently Asked Questions
A real, involuntary income loss can be a substantial change of circumstances that supports a modification, but you must file a Petition to Change Court Order to change the amount; support keeps accruing at the old rate until the court acts (RSA 458-C:7). Do not simply stop paying while your request is pending.
No. Either parent can file a Petition to Change Court Order on their own, and the other parent receives notice and can respond. If both parents agree on a new amount, they can submit their agreement for the court to approve. The court still checks it against the state formula (RSA 458-C:3).
After you file the Petition to Change Court Order, the Circuit Court Family Division sets a hearing, often several weeks to a few months out. An agreed change or a Bureau of Child Support Services review can be faster. Because a change dates only from notice of your petition, filing promptly protects you (RSA 458-C:7).
Yes. If the Bureau of Child Support Services manages your case, you can ask it to review your order, and it reviews applicable orders at least every 3 years. When the guideline amount would change enough, the agency can seek an adjustment and take the matter to the Circuit Court if needed (RSA 458-C:7).
You can ask any time a substantial change of circumstances occurs, and 3 years after the last order you can apply without showing any change at all (RSA 458-C:7). If the Bureau of Child Support Services handles your case, it also reviews orders at least every 3 years under federal rules (45 CFR 303.8).
A modification changes support only from the date notice of your petition is given forward (RSA 458-C:7). It cannot alter arrearages that came due before you file the motion (RSA 461-A:14). Past-due support stays owed and enforceable, so keep paying your current order to avoid building arrears while your request is pending.
Filing a Petition to Change Court Order in the Circuit Court Family Division carries a filing fee, but you can ask the court to waive it if you cannot afford it. A review through the Bureau of Child Support Services does not charge you a fee for looking at your order.
You file a Petition to Change Court Order (Form NHJB-2062-F) with a Personal Data Sheet (Form NHJB-2077-F). If both parents agree, additional forms such as a financial affidavit and a child support guidelines worksheet may be used. The New Hampshire Judicial Branch provides these forms at no charge.
Other New Hampshire guides
Asset Protection Planning in New Hampshire (2026)
Dealing With Debt Collectors in New Hampshire (2026)
Expunging a Criminal Record in New Hampshire (2026)
Filing a Workplace Harassment Complaint in New Hampshire
Filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in New Hampshire (2026)
Firing an Employee in New Hampshire (2026)
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