Michigan Form FD 8 is the Verified Statement and Application for IV-D Services that every party in a divorce, separate maintenance, annulment, paternity, custody, or support case must complete and file with the Friend of the Court so the court can enter accurate child support, parenting time, and health care orders. The form is approved by the State Court Administrative Office and is required under MCR 3.206(C) whenever a domestic relations case is filed in any Michigan circuit court.
Filing FD 8 wrong, leaving fields blank, or hiding income can stall your support order for months, trigger contempt, and even open you up to perjury exposure because every line is signed under oath. According to the Michigan Friend of the Court Bureau annual report, more than 140,000 new domestic relations cases are opened in Michigan each year, and the Friend of the Court collects over $1.3 billion in child support annually, all of which starts with the data you put on this single form.
- 📝 The exact line-by-line meaning of every box on the current SCAO-approved FD 8.
- 👨👩👧 Three fully filled-out FD 8 examples covering divorce, custody, and paternity.
- ⏰ Filing deadlines, fees, and the consequences of missing them.
- 📎 The eight documents you need before you open the form.
- 🚫 The ten most common mistakes filers make, and how to avoid each one.
What Form FD 8 Is and Who Must File It
Michigan Form FD 8, titled Verified Statement and Application for IV-D Child Support Services, is the master intake document the Friend of the Court (FOC) uses to build your case file. It collects identifying information, employment and income data, health insurance details, and the names and birthdates of the children, all under penalty of perjury. The current SCAO revision date is printed in the lower-left corner of page 1, and you should always download the newest version from the SCAO form library before filing.
Anyone starting or responding to a domestic relations action that involves minor children, spousal support, or a request for IV-D enforcement services must file FD 8. That includes plaintiffs filing for divorce under MCL 552.6, parents filing custody actions under the Child Custody Act, and parents establishing paternity under the Paternity Act. Defendants and respondents must file their own FD 8 within 14 days of being served, even if they disagree with the case.
The form also doubles as your application for Title IV-D services, the federal program that authorizes the FOC to locate absent parents, establish paternity, and enforce orders through wage withholding and tax intercept. Filing FD 8 automatically opens your IV-D case unless you opt out in writing. The agency that receives FD 8 is the Friend of the Court office in the county where your case is filed, not the central state office, because each of Michigan’s 83 counties runs its own FOC under MCL 552.503.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Open FD 8 only after you have gathered every supporting document on the checklist below. Filers who start the form without their paperwork almost always leave gaps, and gaps trigger an FOC deficiency notice that can delay your support order by 30 to 90 days.
- Government-issued photo ID for both parties, because the FOC verifies your name and date of birth against state records and a mismatch holds up case opening.
- Social Security numbers for you, the other party, and every child, required by 42 U.S.C. § 405(c)(2)(C) and entered on the confidential FOC 100 addendum, never on FD 8 itself.
- Last 30 days of pay stubs for both parents, used to calculate gross income under the 2021 Michigan Child Support Formula Manual.
- Most recent federal and Michigan tax returns including all W-2s, 1099s, and Schedule C, because self-employment income is treated differently than wages.
- Health insurance card and policy summary for any plan that covers the children, since the court must order whichever parent has reasonable-cost coverage to keep it.
- Childcare receipts or daycare invoices for the past 12 months, used to add work-related childcare to the support calculation.
- All prior court orders from any state involving these children, including custody, support, and personal protection orders, because Michigan must apply the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act.
- Birth certificates for each child to confirm parentage and dates of birth, especially in paternity cases where an Affidavit of Parentage may be needed.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The only authoritative source for FD 8 is the SCAO court forms library, which posts the current PDF version free of charge. Never download FD 8 from a third-party site because outdated versions are routinely rejected by FOC clerks. The PDF is fillable on a desktop computer using Adobe Reader, but the digital signature field still requires a wet-ink signature before filing in most counties.
You can also pick up a paper copy at the circuit court clerk’s office in your county, the Friend of the Court office, or any Michigan Legal Help self-help center. Michigan Legal Help also runs a free interactive interview that walks you through FD 8 question by question and produces a print-ready PDF, which is the most reliable option for pro se filers who are not comfortable with the raw form.
For e-filing counties such as Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Kent, and Washtenaw, you upload FD 8 through the MiFILE portal after paying the filing fee with a credit card or e-check. Counties that have not yet adopted MiFILE still accept FD 8 by mail or in person at the clerk’s window. Always confirm your county’s filing channel on the Michigan Courts county directory before sending anything.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form FD 8 Line by Line
The form is divided into a caption block, six numbered parts, a verification, and a confidential addendum. Use blue or black ink, write in ALL CAPS for legibility, and never leave a field blank — write N/A if the question does not apply. The official line-by-line guidance below tracks the current SCAO version of FD 8.
Caption: Court, County, and Case Number
This top block tells the clerk which court file your FD 8 belongs to. You enter the judicial circuit number, the county name, and the case number assigned by the clerk when the complaint was filed. Format the case number exactly as it appears on your summons, including the suffix (for example 2026-123456-DM).
Tomas Reyes writes 6th Judicial Circuit, OAKLAND County, 2026-198765-DM in the caption boxes. If you have not yet been assigned a case number because you are filing the complaint and FD 8 together, leave the case number blank and let the clerk stamp it. The most common mistake here is mixing up the circuit number and the county code, which causes the clerk to docket your form into the wrong file and delays service. A misconception is that the caption can be filled in later — it cannot, because the verification on the last page swears that every entry, including the caption, is true.
Part 1, Box 1: Plaintiff and Defendant Names
Box 1 asks for the full legal names of both parties as they appear on the complaint. Enter the plaintiff first and the defendant second, using the exact spelling from each party’s birth certificate or driver’s license. Include middle names and any suffix such as Jr. or III.
Maria Elena Lopez (Plaintiff) v. Carlos Antonio Lopez (Defendant) is how a divorcing spouse fills in Box 1. If a party uses a different surname socially, write the legal name first and put the alias in parentheses. The most common mistake is writing nicknames or married names that do not match the SSA record, which will cause the Office of Child Support to bounce the IV-D intake. Filers often believe they can use a maiden name if they plan to resume it post-divorce, but you must use your current legal name on FD 8 and amend later.
Part 1, Box 2: Current Addresses
Box 2 collects the residential street address, city, state, and ZIP for each party. Do not enter a P.O. Box here unless you are protected by the Address Confidentiality Program under MCL 780.851. The FOC uses this address for all official mailings and for jurisdictional analysis under UIFSA.
Aisha Johnson writes 2410 ELM ST, FLINT, MI 48504 in Box 2. If you have moved within the past 90 days, list the new address and attach a short note with the prior address. The biggest mistake is using a relative’s address for convenience, which leads to missed hearing notices and default support orders. A common misconception is that hiding your address protects you in a domestic violence situation; instead, you must enroll in the ACP and file the MC 416 nondisclosure motion so the court can keep it sealed properly.
Part 1, Box 3: Date of Birth and Telephone
Box 3 asks for each party’s date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format and a daytime telephone number. The FOC uses date of birth to pull state employment and unemployment records and to verify identity for the federal Federal Parent Locator Service.
Janet Wu enters 03/14/1982 and (313) 555-0142 in Box 3. If you have no phone, write NONE rather than leaving it blank. The most common mistake is transposing the month and day, which mismatches the SSA database and triggers a manual review that can add three weeks to your case. Filers often think a cell phone number is not enough; in fact, a working cell number is preferred because the FOC sends text reminders for hearings and review dates.
Part 1, Box 4: Employer and Income Information
Box 4 is the heart of the support calculation. You list your current employer’s name, address, hire date, and gross monthly income, plus any second jobs, self-employment income, unemployment, Social Security, or other benefits. Round to the nearest dollar and use gross, not net, figures.
Marcus Bell writes FORD MOTOR CO, 1 AMERICAN RD, DEARBORN MI 48126, hired 06/01/2018, gross monthly $5,840. If you are self-employed, attach the most recent Schedule C and write SEE ATTACHED in the income line. The single biggest mistake on FD 8 is reporting take-home pay instead of gross, which understates child support by 20 to 30 percent and is corrected (with arrears) at the next FOC review. Filers often believe overtime can be excluded; under the Michigan Child Support Formula, regular overtime counts as income.
Part 1, Box 5: Health Care Coverage
Box 5 asks whether you, the other party, or the children have health, dental, or vision insurance, who the carrier is, the policy number, the monthly premium, and whether the coverage extends to dependents. The court must order whichever parent has reasonable-cost coverage (defined as 5 percent of gross income or less) to maintain it under MCL 552.626a.
Tomas Reyes writes BCBSM PPO, policy 987654321, premium $312/mo, dependents covered: YES. If you have no insurance, write NONE AVAILABLE and check the box requesting that the court order the other parent to enroll. The most common mistake is listing the employer name as the carrier; the carrier is the insurance company, not the employer. A misconception is that Medicaid satisfies the order — it does not, because private coverage takes priority under 42 U.S.C. § 1396a(a)(25).
Part 2: Children of the Parties
Part 2 is a table listing every minor child of the parties (and any child for whom support is sought) with full legal name, date of birth, and current residence. Add a separate row for each child. Do not list children from other relationships unless they are in your household and affect the other-children adjustment.
Maria Lopez lists SOFIA LOPEZ 04/22/2016 and DIEGO LOPEZ 09/03/2019, both residing with Plaintiff at 2410 ELM ST FLINT MI 48504. If a child is over 18 but still in high school, list them and note HS GRADUATION 06/2026 because Michigan support continues to age 19½ under MCL 552.605b. The biggest mistake is omitting a child who lives with grandparents, which causes the court to miss a third-party custodian and issue an unenforceable order. Filers often think stepchildren go in Part 2; they do not, because Michigan does not impose support on stepparents.
Part 3: Other Pending or Prior Cases
Part 3 asks whether either party has any pending or prior family-court case in Michigan or any other state involving these children or this relationship. List the court, case number, type of case, and current status. This is how the FOC complies with the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act.
Aisha Johnson enters Genesee County Circuit Court, 2022-456789-PP, Personal Protection Order, ACTIVE. If there are no other cases, write NONE on the first line. Failing to disclose a sister-state case is the mistake that most often unwinds a Michigan order under UIFSA, because the original-issuing state retains continuing exclusive jurisdiction. Filers often believe a closed case need not be listed; in fact, any case from the past five years that produced a custody or support order must be disclosed.
Part 4: Public Assistance
Part 4 asks whether you or the children currently receive TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, or child care assistance from any state. Check yes or no, and if yes, list the case number and the issuing agency. Receipt of TANF automatically assigns child support rights to the state under 42 U.S.C. § 608(a)(3).
Janet Wu checks YES, MEDICAID, recipient ID 1234567890, Michigan MDHHS. If you applied but were denied, write APPLIED — DENIED 02/2026. The most common mistake is leaving this blank, which causes MDHHS to file a separate action that duplicates your case. A misconception is that public assistance is private; it is reportable on FD 8 because the state is a real party in interest whenever benefits are paid.
Part 5: Domestic Violence Disclosure
Part 5 asks whether there is a history of domestic violence between the parties and whether a personal protection order is or has been in place. Answering yes triggers the FOC domestic violence screening protocol and may exempt you from joint mediation under MCR 3.216(D)(3).
Carlos Lopez checks YES, PPO issued 01/15/2025 in Wayne County, case 2025-001122-PP. If you check yes, attach a copy of the PPO. The most common mistake is checking no out of fear or shame, which forces you into mediation with your abuser. A misconception is that the disclosure is shared with the other party; the FOC keeps DV details confidential and only shares the screening result with the judge.
Part 6: Request for IV-D Services
Part 6 lets you opt in or opt out of full IV-D services. Most filers opt in because IV-D services are free and unlock automatic income withholding, tax intercept, license suspension, and interstate enforcement. Opting out is rare and only makes sense when both parties want a private payment arrangement.
Marcus Bell checks REQUEST FULL IV-D SERVICES in Part 6. If you opt out, you must sign the FOC 100 opt-out addendum acknowledging the consequences. The biggest mistake is opting out to avoid wage withholding; under MCL 552.604, immediate income withholding is mandatory in every Michigan support case, opt-out or not. Filers often believe IV-D costs money; it is free for everyone in Michigan.
Verification and Signature Block
The last page is the verification, which states that the contents of the form are true to the best of your knowledge under penalty of perjury. You must sign in wet ink, print your name, and date the signature in MM/DD/YYYY format. A notary is not required because the verification language itself satisfies MCR 1.109(D)(3).
Tomas Reyes signs T. Reyes, prints TOMAS REYES, dates 05/21/2026. If you are filing electronically, type /s/ TOMAS REYES on the signature line and keep a wet-ink original in your records. The most common mistake is using an electronic signature stamp that the clerk cannot verify, which causes rejection. A misconception is that you can sign for your spouse if you have power of attorney; you cannot, because each party must verify their own FD 8.
Confidential Addendum (FOC 100)
The FOC 100 is a separate confidential page that holds Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and full dates of birth. It is filed with FD 8 but stored in a sealed portion of the file and not served on the other party. Filling it out is mandatory under MCR 1.109(D)(9).
Maria Lopez writes SSN 123-45-6789, DL L100-200-300-400 on the FOC 100. If a child has no SSN yet (newborn or non-citizen), write APPLIED FOR and attach the SS-5 receipt. The biggest mistake is putting SSNs on the FD 8 itself instead of the addendum, which makes them part of the public record and exposes you to identity theft. A misconception is that the addendum is optional in private-pay cases; it is required in every domestic relations case regardless of IV-D status.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez — Divorce With Two Young Children
Maria is a 39-year-old nurse in Oakland County divorcing Carlos after 12 years of marriage. She has primary physical custody of Sofia (9) and Diego (6), works full time at Beaumont Hospital, and carries family BCBSM coverage.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | 6th Judicial Circuit, OAKLAND County, 2026-198765-DM |
| Box 1 Names | MARIA ELENA LOPEZ v. CARLOS ANTONIO LOPEZ |
| Box 2 Address | 2410 ELM ST, ROYAL OAK, MI 48067 |
| Box 3 DOB / Phone | 07/19/1986 / (248) 555-0199 |
| Box 4 Employer / Income | BEAUMONT HOSPITAL, gross monthly $7,200 |
| Box 5 Health Care | BCBSM PPO, premium $415/mo, dependents YES |
| Part 2 Children | SOFIA LOPEZ 04/22/2016; DIEGO LOPEZ 09/03/2019 |
| Part 3 Prior Cases | NONE |
| Part 4 Public Assistance | NO |
| Part 5 DV | NO |
| Part 6 IV-D | REQUEST FULL IV-D SERVICES |
| Signature | /s/ MARIA E. LOPEZ 05/21/2026 |
Scenario 2: Marcus Bell — Custody Modification, Shared Parenting
Marcus is a 35-year-old assembly-line worker in Wayne County asking the court to move from every-other-weekend parenting time to a 5-2-2-5 schedule with his son Elijah (8). He earns $5,840/month gross at Ford and has employer health coverage.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | 3rd Judicial Circuit, WAYNE County, 2024-554433-DC |
| Box 1 Names | MARCUS J. BELL (Plaintiff) v. TANISHA R. BELL (Defendant) |
| Box 2 Address | 18722 KERCHEVAL AVE, GROSSE POINTE, MI 48230 |
| Box 4 Employer / Income | FORD MOTOR CO, gross monthly $5,840 + OT avg $620 |
| Box 5 Health Care | BCN HMO, premium $268/mo, dependents YES |
| Part 2 Children | ELIJAH BELL 11/02/2017 |
| Part 3 Prior Cases | Wayne 2018-998877-DC, Custody, CLOSED 2019 |
| Part 4 Public Assistance | NO |
| Part 5 DV | NO |
| Part 6 IV-D | REQUEST FULL IV-D SERVICES |
| Signature | /s/ MARCUS J. BELL 05/21/2026 |
Scenario 3: Aisha Johnson — Paternity Establishment, TANF Recipient
Aisha is a 26-year-old never-married mother in Genesee County establishing paternity and support against Damon Carter for her daughter Layla (2). She receives Medicaid for Layla and works part time.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | 7th Judicial Circuit, GENESEE County, 2026-007788-DP |
| Box 1 Names | AISHA M. JOHNSON v. DAMON L. CARTER |
| Box 2 Address | 2410 ELM ST, FLINT, MI 48504 |
| Box 4 Employer / Income | DOLLAR GENERAL, gross monthly $1,820 |
| Box 5 Health Care | NONE AVAILABLE — request order against Defendant |
| Part 2 Children | LAYLA JOHNSON 02/10/2024 |
| Part 3 Prior Cases | NONE |
| Part 4 Public Assistance | YES, MEDICAID, MDHHS case 9988776655 |
| Part 5 DV | YES, PPO 2025-001122-PP, ACTIVE |
| Part 6 IV-D | REQUEST FULL IV-D SERVICES |
| Signature | /s/ AISHA M. JOHNSON 05/21/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form FD 8
E-filing through MiFILE. In the 30+ counties on the MiFILE portal, you upload FD 8 and the FOC 100 as separate PDFs, pay the $175 divorce-with-children filing fee (or $150 paternity / $0 IV-D-only) by credit card or e-check, and receive an email stamped copy within 24 hours that serves as your proof of filing.
Filing by mail. In counties without e-filing, send FD 8, FOC 100, and a check or money order for the filing fee payable to County Clerk by USPS Certified Mail with return receipt to the circuit court clerk for your county. Processing takes 7 to 14 business days, and the green return-receipt card is your proof of filing.
Filing in person. Bring two copies of FD 8 plus the FOC 100 to the clerk’s window during business hours, pay by cash, check, or card, and ask the clerk to stamp your copy FILED. In-person filing is the only same-day channel and is recommended when a deadline is imminent.
Filing by fax. Only a few counties (notably Marquette and Chippewa) accept fax filing under a local administrative order; call the FOC office first because most counties do not. The fee is collected by follow-up invoice, and the fax confirmation page serves as proof until the file-stamped copy arrives.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, file the MC 20 Fee Waiver Request at the same time as FD 8. The clerk forwards it to the judge, who decides within 10 days under MCR 2.002.
What Happens After You File
Within 21 days the FOC opens your IV-D case, mails an FOC Information Packet to both parties, and assigns a caseworker. The caseworker reviews FD 8 against the Michigan Child Support Formula and produces a recommended support amount that becomes the basis of the temporary order.
Both parties then receive a notice scheduling either an informal conference (most counties) or a referee hearing under MCL 552.507. At that conference the FOC reviews paychecks, verifies health insurance, and confirms parenting time. If both parties agree, the FOC drafts a uniform child support order (UCSO) for the judge to sign within 14 days.
Once entered, the support order is automatically loaded into the Michigan State Disbursement Unit (MiSDU), and an income withholding order is sent to the obligor’s employer the same day under MCL 552.604. Payments begin within 7 to 14 days of the employer receiving the IWO, and the receiving parent gets funds via direct deposit or the MiSDU debit card.
If circumstances change — a new job, a layoff, a parenting time change — you must file an updated FD 8 within 21 days. The FOC also conducts an automatic three-year review under 42 U.S.C. § 666(a)(10) to keep the order current with income changes.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out Form FD 8
- Reporting net pay instead of gross. This understates support and creates retroactive arrears once the FOC pulls your wage records.
- Putting Social Security numbers on FD 8 itself. SSNs belong on the confidential FOC 100; on FD 8 they become part of the public record and expose you to identity theft.
- Leaving fields blank. Blank fields are treated as deficiencies and pause case processing for 30 to 90 days.
- Using a P.O. Box as your residence. The court needs your physical address for jurisdiction, and a P.O. Box can void service and any resulting order.
- Listing stepchildren in Part 2. Stepchildren are not subject to Michigan support orders, and listing them inflates the calculation.
- Hiding self-employment income. The FOC cross-checks Schedule C and 1099 filings, and concealment can lead to a contempt finding under MCL 600.1701.
- Forgetting to disclose a prior out-of-state order. This violates UIFSA and can void any new Michigan order issued without the proper jurisdictional analysis.
- Skipping the domestic violence box. Failing to flag DV forces you into mediation with your abuser and waives your protective screening rights.
- Signing without reading the verification. The verification is a sworn statement; signing without verifying every entry is perjury under MCL 750.422.
- Filing an outdated SCAO version. The clerk will reject any FD 8 older than the current revision, costing you the filing fee and forcing a re-file.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do download the current SCAO version of FD 8 the same day you plan to file, because revisions are issued without notice.
- Do print and keep a stamped copy of every page, since the file-stamped copy is your only proof of timely filing.
- Do attach pay stubs, tax returns, and insurance cards as exhibits, because supporting documentation prevents follow-up subpoenas.
- Do update FD 8 within 21 days of any income or address change, as required by MCR 3.208(B).
- Do use the Michigan Legal Help interview if you are filing without a lawyer, because the guided tool catches most errors.
- Do ask the FOC for an interpreter if English is not your first language, free of charge under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
Don’ts
- Don’t sign FD 8 in advance and let someone else fill in the boxes, because the verification covers every entry above the signature.
- Don’t estimate income — pull the actual numbers from your last four pay stubs.
- Don’t use white-out on the form; cross out the error, initial, and rewrite.
- Don’t file FD 8 without the FOC 100, because the clerk will reject the package as incomplete.
- Don’t skip Part 5 (DV) to look cooperative; honest disclosure protects you and your children.
- Don’t opt out of IV-D services unless you have written legal advice that fits your specific case.
Pros and Cons of Filing FD 8 Yourself vs. With Help
Pros of filing yourself
- Free. The only cost is the filing fee, which a fee waiver can eliminate.
- Faster start. You can file the same day you finish the form rather than waiting on an attorney’s calendar.
- Full control. You decide exactly what is disclosed and how, with no intermediary.
- Education. Walking through every box gives you a working knowledge of your own case that pays off at every later hearing.
- Wide support. Michigan Legal Help and county FOC offices give free guidance to pro se filers.
Cons of filing yourself
- Easy to mis-state income. Without an attorney, gross-vs-net and overtime mistakes are common.
- No strategic advice. A lawyer can advise on parenting time language that affects support; FD 8 alone cannot.
- Time investment. Reading the Michigan Child Support Formula Manual takes hours.
- Emotional toll. Doing this in the middle of a divorce is hard, and mistakes compound stress.
- Higher rejection rate. Pro se FD 8 filings are bounced for technical defects far more often than attorney filings.
When Filing Pro Se Beats Hiring Counsel
| Situation | Better Choice |
|---|---|
| Both parties agree on custody and support | Pro se FD 8 |
| Self-employment or business income | Attorney |
| Active PPO or DV history | Attorney + FOC DV screening |
| Wages only, no special assets | Pro se with MLH interview |
| Out-of-state party or order | Attorney (UIFSA) |
| TANF/Medicaid recipient only | Pro se (state opens IV-D automatically) |
FAQs
Is Form FD 8 the same as the Uniform Child Support Order?
No. FD 8 is the intake questionnaire that gives the Friend of the Court the data needed to draft the Uniform Child Support Order; the UCSO is the order itself, signed by the judge after the FOC review.
Do I write my maiden name or married name in Box 1?
No maiden name unless it is currently your legal name. Use the name on your driver’s license today; you can change it later through the divorce judgment under MCL 552.391.
Should I list my new partner’s income on FD 8?
No. Only the income of the parties to the case goes on FD 8; a new spouse or partner’s income is not part of the Michigan Child Support Formula calculation.
Do I include children from another relationship in Part 2?
No unless they are children of both parties. Other children may qualify for a separate other-children adjustment, but they do not go in Part 2.
Can I file FD 8 without a Social Security number?
Yes. Write APPLIED FOR on the FOC 100 and attach the SS-5 receipt; the FOC will hold the case open while SSA processes the number.
Is a notary required on FD 8?
No. The verification language above the signature line satisfies MCR 1.109(D)(3) without notarization.
Do I have to opt in to IV-D services?
No, but opting out is rarely wise because IV-D services are free and unlock automatic income withholding, tax intercept, and license suspension.
What if I do not know the other parent’s address?
Yes, you can still file. Write UNKNOWN in Box 2 for that party, and the Federal Parent Locator Service will search through the FOC.
Can I file FD 8 if I receive Medicaid only?
Yes. Medicaid recipients must file FD 8, and the state automatically becomes a party in interest under 42 U.S.C. § 1396k.
How fast does an income withholding order start after I file?
Yes, fast. Once the support order is entered, the IWO is sent the same day under MCL 552.604, and most employers begin withholding within one pay cycle.
Do I need to file a new FD 8 every year?
No, only when income, address, employment, or insurance changes, or every three years at the automatic FOC review under 42 U.S.C. § 666(a)(10).
Is Box 4 income gross or net?
Yes, gross. Always enter pre-tax monthly income from all sources, including overtime and bonuses, per the 2021 Michigan Child Support Formula.
Can I e-file FD 8 in every Michigan county?
No. Only counties on the MiFILE portal accept e-filing; the rest still require paper filing by mail or in person.
What happens if I lie on FD 8?
Yes, there are real consequences. The verification makes false statements perjury under MCL 750.422, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form FD 1 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form FD 16 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form FOC 92 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form FOC 50 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form FD 13 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form FD 88 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 570 (w/Examples) + FAQs