Multistate employers
Employers in two or more states can register with the federal Office of Child Support Services through the Child Support Portal or the Multistate Employer Registration Form and report all new hires to one state. Source: dshs.wa.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Rehired employees
A rehire counts as a new hire after a separation of at least 60 consecutive days. An employee who starts under a new FEIN is also treated as a new hire. Source: dshs.wa.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Penalties
Civil penalty of $25 per month per employee, or $500 if employer and employee conspire not to report or to file a false report. All violations in one month count as one. Source: app.leg.wa.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
The law and where to check
The law: RCW 26.23.040 (opens in a new tab)
The agency: Washington DSHS Division of Child Support, New Hire Reporting (opens in a new tab)
What federal law says
Federal law requires every employer to report each new hire to the state's new hire directory within 20 days, or sooner if the state sets a shorter deadline. States use the reports for child support. Source: Social Security Act § 453A↗ (opens in a new tab)
New hire reporting checklist for Washington employers
A simple order of work, based on the rules above. It is not a legal checklist.
- Collect the employee's Form W-4 details on day one.
- Report to the state shown above before the deadline.
- Include every required data field, including any state extras.
- Report rehires and, where required, independent contractors.
- Multistate employers: pick one state and register with HHS, or report to each state.
- Keep a copy or confirmation of each report.
More Washington employment law guides
- All Washington employment laws
- Washington final paycheck law
- Washington paid sick leave law
- Washington meal and rest break laws
- Washington overtime law
- Washington pay frequency law
- Washington vacation and PTO payout law
- Washington at-will exceptions
New hire reporting laws in other states
See every state on one page, or pick a state:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
All official government sources, last checked October 19, 2026.
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information based on publicly available official sources and is for information only. It is not legal, tax, payroll or employment-law advice and does not guarantee compliance with federal, state or local requirements. Rules can depend on your location, industry, contracts and other circumstances, and laws change. Always check the official source, the relevant government agency or a qualified professional before making a decision. MadyHR.ai accepts no responsibility for any action taken based on this page.
Last checked: . Every rule and source link on this page was checked against the official government source on this date. Laws change, so always open the source link before you act.