A Washington Child Support Order is a legal document issued by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSS) that outlines the amount of money a parent is obligated to pay in child support. There are two types of Washington Child Support Orders: administrative and judicial. An administrative order is issued by DSS after an administrative law judge has reviewed the case and determined the amount of the order. A judicial order is issued by a court after a hearing, usually based on evidence presented at the hearing. Both types of orders require the non-custodial parent to pay the ordered amount to the custodial parent on a regular basis. The purpose of the order is to ensure that the child’s needs are met, including providing for food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and other necessities. Washington’s Child Support Enforcement Program is charged with enforcing the order and collecting payments.