How long did your child support take when the non-custodial parent was out of state?

I moved from the location over 12 years ago. The child is 12. I was never married to him and didn't have his social security number until one of his ticked off ex-girlfriends gave it to me last year. I have been trying to get support since 1997, but back then I didn't have the social sec. #. Now I have his address, one of his job information, social, picture, and more. I have provided this to the child support enforcement office. They lost my paperwork once, so I have been trying again since 11/2006 to get child support. They reopened on my case in August of 2007 after not informing me that they closed my case. Long story made a little bit shorter...How long did it take you (those people that have had a similiar situation) to get child support enforced and do you have any tips for helping things along? He lives in Tennessee and I paid several times for my daughter to vist him...This is in no way about money.It's about responsibility.