Illinois charges a reinstatement fee to restore your license after child support suspension
When the Illinois Secretary of State suspends your driver's license for unpaid child support, getting it back requires paying two separate fees to two different agencies. The Secretary of State charges a reinstatement fee (the amount varies depending on your violation type, but typically ranges from $100 to $500), and you must also pay the child support debt itself or reach a payment agreement with the Illinois Department of Child Support Services. Only after both happen will your license be restored.
The reinstatement fee is not the same as the child support debt. You pay the fee to the Secretary of State to reactivate your license once the child support issue is resolved. If you owe $5,000 in back child support, for example, you still owe that $5,000 — the reinstatement fee is additional.
Key Takeaways
- The Secretary of State reinstatement fee ranges from $100 to $500 depending on the type of suspension, and you pay this directly to the Secretary of State.
- You must also resolve your child support debt — either by paying it in full or by setting up a payment plan with the Illinois Department of Child Support Services.
- Your license will not be restored until both the reinstatement fee is paid and the child support agency confirms your debt is resolved or under a court-approved agreement.
- The reinstatement process typically takes one to two weeks after both payments are made, though you can check your status online through the Secretary of State's website.
How the reinstatement fee is structured
Illinois does not publish a single flat reinstatement fee for child support suspensions. Instead, the fee depends on which type of suspension triggered the license hold. The Secretary of State maintains a fee schedule, but the exact amount you owe is determined by your specific case. You can find your fee amount by contacting the Secretary of State's Driver Services department at 217-782-6900 or by checking your suspension notice, which should list the fee.
The fee must be paid to the Secretary of State, not to the child support agency. You can pay online through the Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at a Driver Services facility. Once the Secretary of State receives payment and confirms that your child support obligation is satisfied or under agreement, they will process your reinstatement.
Resolving the child support debt
Before your license can be restored, the Illinois Department of Child Support Services must confirm that your child support obligation is no longer in default. This means either paying the full amount owed or entering into a payment agreement that the court approves. If you cannot pay the full debt when ready, you can request a payment plan.
Contact the Illinois Department of Child Support Services at 1-800-447-4278 to discuss your options. They will review your income and circumstances and may offer a payment plan that allows you to pay what you owe over time. Once you and the agency agree on a plan and a judge approves it, the agency will notify the Secretary of State that your case is resolved. At that point, you can pay the reinstatement fee and have your license restored.
If you believe you do not actually owe the child support amount listed, or if there are special circumstances (such as a change in your income), you can request a court hearing. The agency can tell you how to file this request when you call.
What happens after you pay both fees
Once the Secretary of State receives your reinstatement fee and the Department of Child Support Services confirms your debt is resolved or under agreement, your license restoration is processed. This typically takes one to two weeks, though it can be faster if you pay in person at a Driver Services facility.
You can check the status of your reinstatement online through the Secretary of State's website by entering your driver's license number. You will also receive written confirmation by mail once your license is active again. If you need your license before the mail arrives, you can request a temporary driving permit at a Driver Services facility.
Where to pay and how to track your case
The reinstatement fee goes to the Secretary of State. You can pay online at cyberdriveillinois.com, by mail to the address on your suspension notice, or in person at any Driver Services facility. Keep your payment receipt — you may need it to prove payment if there are delays.
To track your child support case, use the Illinois Department of Child Support Services online portal at www2.illinois.gov/dcfs/childsupport or call 1-800-447-4278. You can see your current balance, any payment plans you have set up, and whether the agency has notified the Secretary of State that your case is resolved.
Common delays and how to avoid them
The most common reason reinstatement takes longer than expected is that the child support agency has not yet notified the Secretary of State that your debt is resolved. Even if you have paid the child support or set up a payment plan, there can be a lag of several days between when the agency processes your payment and when they send the notification to the Secretary of State. Call the child support agency to confirm they have sent the notification before paying the reinstatement fee.
Another delay happens when the reinstatement fee payment is received by the Secretary of State but the child support notification has not arrived yet. The Secretary of State will hold your reinstatement until both are in place. If you have paid both and your license is still suspended after two weeks, contact the Secretary of State's Driver Services department to ask them to check whether the child support notification was received.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a temporary driving permit while my reinstatement is being processed?
Yes. You can request a temporary driving permit at any Driver Services facility once you have paid the reinstatement fee and the child support agency has confirmed your case is resolved. The permit is valid for 30 days and allows you to drive while you wait for your permanent license to arrive by mail.
What if I cannot afford to pay the full child support debt right now?
Contact the Illinois Department of Child Support Services at 1-800-447-4278 to request a payment plan. If the agency approves a plan and a judge signs off on it, your case will no longer be in default, and you can proceed with paying the reinstatement fee. You do not have to pay the full debt upfront.
Do I have to pay the reinstatement fee even if I set up a payment plan for child support?
Yes. The reinstatement fee is separate from the child support debt. You must pay both the fee to the Secretary of State and either the full child support amount or make a court-approved payment plan with the child support agency. Both must be completed before your license is restored.
How long does it take to get my license back after I pay everything?
Reinstatement typically takes one to two weeks after both the reinstatement fee and child support resolution are processed. If you pay in person at a Driver Services facility and the child support agency has already notified the Secretary of State, reinstatement can happen within a few business days.
What if my suspension notice does not say how much the reinstatement fee is?
Call the Secretary of State's Driver Services department at 217-782-6900 with your driver's license number. They can tell you the exact fee amount and explain your payment options. You can also check the suspension notice again — the fee is usually listed near the bottom.