If you owe child support and need a passport, your eligibility depends on the amount owed and your payment status. Under federal law, the U.S. Department of State will deny passport applications—and may revoke existing passports—for individuals who owe $2,500 or more in past-due child support. This policy is enforced through the Passport Denial Program, established under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. The program has collected nearly $591 million in unpaid child support since its inception, including $29 million in 2023 alone ^[1]. To resolve this, you must either pay the full arrears, establish an approved payment plan with your state’s child support agency, or contest the debt through legal channels.

Key steps to address this issue:

• Check your debt status: Confirm whether your arrears meet or exceed the $2,500 threshold, as this triggers automatic reporting to the State Department ^[3].
• Contact your local Child Support Agency: They can provide a Pre-Offset Notice detailing your debt and guide you on payment plans or dispute processes ^[1].
• Resolve the arrears: Pay the full amount, negotiate a payment plan, or obtain a court order modifying the debt to lift the passport restriction ^[3][8].
• Emergency exceptions: In life-or-death situations, limited-validity passports may be issued, but this requires documentation and approval ^[3][7].

If you’re overseas when your passport is revoked, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for a limited-validity passport to return to the U.S. ^[3]. Legal consultation is advised if you dispute the arrears or need help navigating the process ^[2].

How to Get a Passport When You Owe Child Support

Understanding the Passport Denial Program

The Passport Denial Program is a federal initiative designed to enforce child support payments by restricting passport issuance or renewal for parents with significant arrears. The program is triggered when a noncustodial parent owes $2,500 or more in past-due child support, as reported by state agencies to the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) ^[1][3]. Once reported, the State Department is legally required to deny passport applications or revoke existing passports until the debt is resolved.

The process begins when your state’s child support agency identifies your arrears and submits your name to the OCSE. You will receive a Pre-Offset Notice detailing the amount owed and the consequences of non-payment, including passport denial ^[1]. If the debt remains unpaid, the State Department will reject your passport application or revoke your current passport. This applies to all U.S. passports, including renewals and first-time applications ^[6][7].

Key details about the program:

• Threshold for denial: The $2,500 threshold applies per state. If you owe arrears in multiple states, each debt is evaluated separately, and you must resolve debts in all states to regain passport eligibility ^[3].
• Notification process: You will receive written notice from your state agency before your name is submitted for passport denial, giving you 30 days to respond or pay ^[7].
• Effectiveness: Since 1996, the program has helped states collect $591 million in unpaid child support, with 4,700 success stories in 2023 alone ^[1].
• No exceptions for travel: Even urgent travel plans (e.g., family emergencies) do not automatically override the denial, though limited-validity passports may be issued in life-or-death situations with proper documentation ^[3][7].

If your passport is revoked while you’re abroad, you may apply for a limited-validity passport at a U.S. embassy or consulate to return to the U.S., but this does not resolve the underlying debt ^[3].

Steps to Resolve Child Support Arrears and Obtain a Passport

To regain passport eligibility, you must address the child support arrears through one of the following methods, as outlined by state and federal guidelines:

1. Pay the full amount owed: The fastest way to lift the restriction is to pay the entire $2,500+ balance. Once payment is processed, your state agency will notify the OCSE to remove your name from the denial list ^[3][7].
2. Establish a payment plan: If you cannot pay the full amount, contact your local Child Support Agency to negotiate a court-approved payment plan. The agency will then notify the State Department to temporarily lift the restriction, provided you comply with the plan ^[2][8]. - Payment plans must be formally approved by the court or agency; informal agreements will not suffice ^[3]. - Missed payments can reinstate the passport denial ^[7].
3. Contest the arrears: If you believe the debt is incorrect, you can: - Request an administrative review within 30 days of receiving the Pre-Offset Notice ^[7]. - File a motion in court to dispute the amount or request a modification of the child support order ^[8]. - Provide evidence (e.g., payment receipts, bank statements) to prove the balance is below $2,500 ^[7].
4. Apply for a limited-validity passport: In emergency situations (e.g., medical crises, death in the family), you may request a limited-validity passport for direct return to the U.S. This requires: - Documentation proving the emergency (e.g., doctor’s note, death certificate). - Approval from the State Department or U.S. embassy ^[3][7].

Additional considerations:

• Multiple states: If you owe arrears in more than one state, you must resolve each debt separately. The State Department will not lift the restriction until all qualifying debts are addressed ^[3].
• Legal assistance: Consulting a family law attorney can help navigate disputes, payment plans, or court modifications, especially if the arrears are complex or contested ^[2][8].
• Processing time: After resolving the debt, it may take 4–6 weeks for the State Department to update your eligibility status. Track your case with your state agency to avoid delays ^[6].