When Child Support Can Cost Your Passport

In 1996, the federal government passed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA). While this law has been in place for around 30 years, it has rarely ever been enforced.

To apply for a US passport, you must pay any outstanding child support payments, and if you owe more than $2,500, federal regulations do not allow you to be issued a passport. Additionally, they may revoke your valid passport.

According to the US Department of State, “A revoked passport may no longer be used for travel even if child support debt has been paid.”

Before 2026, the government mostly blocked new passports or renewals, but now they are actively revoking valid passports. While anyone owing over $2,500 is at risk, the department told The Associated Press that the revocations, which began on May 8th, would be focused on those who owe $100,000 or more.

They are choosing to focus on those with a high amount overdue while they continue to collect the data for individuals who owe over $2,500. They have not released a statement on when this expansion of enforcement will begin.

The department will send passport revocation notices directly to the passport holder by email or by mail using the address listed on their most recent passport application. Once you have paid all of your outstanding child support, it's also important to note that it may take at least 2-3 weeks before the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) removes your name from its records and allows you to be eligible for a new passport.

If you are not in the US but received a notification that your US passport has been revoked, you should contact the state where you owe child support to pay your debt and look for the nearest US embassy or consulate for passport application procedures.

At that time, you will only be eligible for a limited passport for direct return to the US until HHS verifies the repayment of your debt.

According to the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE), even if a parent lowers their child support debt below $2,500, the state does not automatically have to remove them from the passport denial program.

Each state has its own rules for deciding when someone can be removed. Some states may allow payment plans, while others may require a larger payment or the full balance to be paid first. A parent is usually removed from the program once the overdue balance is fully paid off or the state asks for the case to be withdrawn, and only the state that reported the debt can request removal.

If multiple states reported the same parent, every state involved must agree to remove the case.

As the federal government expands enforcement efforts, individuals with unpaid child support should be aware that passport restrictions are no longer limited to new applications or renewals.

Revocation of existing passports is now being actively pursued, and resolving these issues may require coordination with multiple state agencies and federal departments. These situations can affect international travel, immigration matters, and the ability to return to the US, so it is important to address any outstanding issues as soon as possible.

If you are dealing with passport revocations or related immigration concerns and are unsure of what your options are, it would be best to consult with an experienced immigration attorney who can explain your options.

Call the Law Office of Phan Nguyen at 469-465-2344.

We are here Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. You can also visit us at nguyen-legal.com to book a consultation.

You don't have to face this alone. We are here for you.

Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. The information provided is for general informational purposes only. Immigration laws and enforcement priorities can change rapidly. For advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed immigration attorney at the Law Office of Phan Nguyen — call 469-465-2344 or visit nguyen-legal.com.