How do I get a passport if I've been denied because of child support?

by Hope / Walter
(Snellville, GA usa)

Question: I'm trying to travel in 10 days just received noticed my passport was denied because of arrears. the court order when into affect 12/10/09 i agreed to pay the arrears with my current support. Only paying 50. of my 489 payment a month. What are my chances of getting my passport approved before my departure date 9/15. what steps do I need to take this is a holiday weekend and I can't do anything til Tuesday.

Answer: The only way to get a passport if you are in arrears of child support is to make acceptable arrangements for payment of the arrears.

Following is the process that must be completed in order for you to obtain your U.S. Passport. It is based on Section 51.70 (a) (8) of Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

1. Before you submit the application for a United States passport, you should enter into contact with the state agency to which you owe child support and make arrangement to pay your arrears.

2. Then the State Child Support Enforcement Agency needs to report the fact that acceptable payment arrangements have been made to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

3. Following this, HHS has to remove your name from their list of those with unpaid arrears and send the updated list to the U.S. Department of State.

4. Finally, Passport Services has to receive the updates list from HHS and verify that your name has been removed before your passport application can be processed.

Note, it may take 2-3 weeks after being notified that arrangements for payment have been made before Passport Services is permitted to process your application.

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How do I get a passport if I've been denied because of child support?

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Florida Child Support System is Broken
by: Anonymous

Question: I submitted an application for a passport. A week later I received a letter stating that I could not get a passport because I owed back child support. The Child Support system in Florida is broken. The Clerk of the Courts for the county the order came from says that I actually overpaid my child support by over $400. I do not owe child support. I have talked with the person in Tallahassee who handles the "HHS List" of back child support and he said that my name has been removed. How long will it take to get my passport now?

Answer: The state HHS must make a request to the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) to have your name removed from the Passport Denial Program. Once this has been verified, OCSE will contact the U.S. Department of State with the updated list.

The Passport Agency holds the application for ninety days from the date of the denial letter. If the Passport Agency receives verification that your name is no longer in the Passport Denial Program before ninety days have elapsed, a new fee will not be necessary. Otherwise, a new application and fee will be required.

Father getting passport even owing in arrears
by: Anonymous

Question: My child's father was issued a new passport and he owes over 8000 in arrears. How is this possible? He is going to China next month. Will he still be able to leave the country or enter back in with this not being paid?

Answer: Contact the Office of Child Support Enforcement to verify if your child's father is listed in the Passport Denial Program.

Department of State Overide rules
by: Anonymous

Question: Will the Department of State override the child support rule if you have employment or employment opportunity in another Country? Would the US Department of State deny a US Citizen an opportunity to continue paying his/her share of US Income Tax??

Answer: The Department of State usually only provides passports for those who are in arrears of child support in cases of emergency medical care or a life or death emergency pertaining to a family member. Proof must be provided of the emergency in order for a passport to be granted.

passport and child support
by: Anonymous

Question: If I owe 10,000 in child support but have been making my payments every week for the past five years and continuing to pay can I get a passport? My daughter is getting married out of the country. SAFARI

Answer: No. Arrears must be paid in full and name cleared before a passport will be issued.

Passport and Child Support Payments
by: Anonymous

Question: If you are paying arrears thru court order and you have no current will you still be denied if you owe more than 9000 on arrears.

Answer: The back child support must be paid in full before your name will be released to get a passport. However, check with your local child support agency to see if there is anything else you can do.

JET
by: Anonymous

Question: I own about 7000 on child support,becouse I am on desability I am paying 150 every month and the balance increases every month because of the interest. I never can pay the balance. Is there any option to have my passaport back?

Answer: If you owe $2,500 or more in child support, you are not eligible to receive a U.S. passport. You must pay the child support you owe BEFORE you submit your application for a U.S. passport.

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