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Can I get a passport if I owe child support?

by Anthony
(New York)

Question: I owe about $5000 on child support but I need to travel to go visit my father in the Dominican Republic. I haven't seen him in like 3 years. What can I do?


Answer: The only way you can obtain a passport and travel to the Dominican Republic is if you contact the appropriate State child support enforcement agency to make payment arrangements before applying for a passport. Anyone that owes more than $2500 is ineligible to receive a U.S. passport.

Here are the steps you need to take:

1. Contact the State child support enforcement agency and make arrangements for the payment of the child support you owe.

2. Once this has been done, ask the agency to contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and inform them concerning the arrangement.

3. Next, verify that HHS has contacted Passport Services to request the removal of your name from the electronic list HHS gives to Passport Services. It can take 2-3 weeks for your name to be removed from the list.

4. Once your name is removed from the list, apply for a new passport. Regular passport processing takes 4-6 weeks. Expedited service takes 2-3 weeks. To get your passport in less than two weeks, you can submit the application at a regional passport agency.

Comments for Can I get a passport if I owe child support?

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Child Support
by: Anonymous

Question: I owe over $20,000.00 in child support. My passport hasn't expired yet but unknowingly I recently applied to renew my passport. How could I get back to U.S. if my passport gets denied?

Answer: Since you are overseas, you need to contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance.
Get a passport if child support is owed
by: Anonymous

Question: I owe like 250,000 in child support. It goes back for a long time plus the situation with my ex and I was awful. It was a nasty divorce. She wouldn’t sign the divorce papers unless I agreed to a crazy amount of child support. My kids are all grown now and my youngest is turning 20 so I am not responsible for any support going forward. What options do I have?

Can I make a payment arrangement going forward and be able to get my passport?

Please advise.

Answer: The general rule is to pay the amount owed in full in order to be taken off the passport denial list. Please contact the State Child Support Enforcement Agency handling your case to find out if other arrangements can be made.
Applying for petition of fiance visa.
by: Anonymous

Question: Can I apply for a petition for my fiancé if I owe child support?
I can't get a passport because of that so I can't meet my fiancé in her country. And passport is one of the requirements in filling a petition for a fiancé.

Answer: You need to pay your arrears in full in order to be taken off the denial list and be issued a passport. Once you have a passport, you can then apply for the fiance visa.
Do I have to reapply
by: Anonymous

Question: I live in GA. My daughter lives in NJ. My child support order ended in Dec 2021, but NJ said I owed. I ended up talking to both GA and NJ and the amount was adjusted off and the case was closed. I applied for a passport and was denied because of this. Now that it is corrected, my passport status is still in process. Would I need to reapply since I was placed on the list by mistake?

Answer: Please contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 regarding your concern.
Paying arrears.
by: Anonymous

Question: What if you are already paying arrears and have not missed a payment? Could you obtain a passport?

Answer: If the arrears have already been paid off, you may apply for a passport and not risk denial.
Passport eligible
by: Anonymous

Question: I owe $1225 in child support. Can I apply for a passport?

Answer: Yes. Only those who owe over $2500 in child support are entered into the passport denial list.

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How can he travel back
by: EP

Question: The father of my children is behind in payments by $70,000 dollars, he had to stay in South America because they denied him a passport, but he said he will come soon because he has no entry impediment. He said, how could he enter the United States without a passport?
Should I contact the child support enforcement agency to let them know?

Answer: He needs to pay what he owes or at least make reasonable payment arrangements so he can be taken off the denial list and obtain a passport. He can then board an international flight and go back to the United States.
I don't owe the state child support
by: Anonymous

Question: Can I get a passport if I owe the other parent and not the state child support?

Answer: If there is no record of your child support debt, you are likely not on the passport denial list. You should be able to apply for a passport.
Payment plan for child support
by: Anonymous

Question: If you are on a payment plan for child support but owe more than $2500...can you apply for a passport?

Answer: As a general rule, anyone with over $2500 in child support debt will not be taken off the passport denial list. You need to pay off the arrears in full before applying for a passport.

Please contact the State Child Support Enforcement Agency handling your case to find out if other arrangements can be made in your case.
Lost passport back child support overseas
by: Anonymous

Question: If a person lost their passport overseas (valid or not valid), how can that person get back to the US? The person owes over 2500 in back child support. Is their a process for the person to get a new one for travel?

Answer: Person needs to pay the child support arrears to be taken off the passport denial list. And then he can apply for a passport to get back to the United States.
Replacing Passport with Arrears
by: Anonymous

Question: I recently lost my valid passport, which I obtained prior to arrears that now amount to more than $2,500.

Can I replace my lost passport without paying arrears?

Answer: Since you are now in the passport denial list, you can no longer apply for a passport unless the arrears are settled.
No fee
by: Anonymous

Question: Will my husband be able to obtain a NO FEE passport to accompany me on military orders overseas if hes on the passport denial list from child support arrears?

Answer: The child support arrears may still affect his application considering that he is not the military member. He can still try to apply for the no-fee passport but we cannot guarantee it will be issued. If he is making payments and is not delinquent, he may have a better shot at obtaining the no-fee military passport.
Child Support
by: Anonymous

Question: I owed $4235 in arrears but have been paying my child support as ordered. I just put $2000 on my arrears and so my balance is now 2200. I will be putting another $200 on it Friday. Will I still be denied a passport now that it is under $2500?

Answer: The arrears must be paid in full in order to be taken off the denial list. Please contact the State Child Support Enforcement Agency handling your case for more information.
Arrears
by: Anonymous

Question: I live in SC and currently owe $2300 in arrears in SC with no current order for child support since my son is over 18. My local county office is telling me that federal & state policy is that the balance needs to be paid to $0 in order to get a passport. Is that true?

Answer: According to the Department of State, passport applications are denied if the applicant owes over $2500 in child support. Please contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 for more information.
Back up support
by: Anonymous

Question: I have 2 different cases for children with different parents, both of my cases are under $2,500 arrears however, together they add up over $2,500. I know my name was on the denial list when I had a very high amount. Could I get my passport now or will they deny again because combined they add up over $2,500?

Answer: Your application will still in all likeliness be denied. The arrears must be paid in full to be taken off the list. Please contact the State Child Support Enforcement Agency handling your case for more information.
Back child support
by: Anonymous

Question: I owe $2,000 in back support and $4,000 in interest and I have been paying on time for years now. I know my name was on the denial list at some point when I tried to get my passport years ago. Could I get my name off the list even though my interest is still over $2,500?

Answer: The arrears must be paid in full in order to be taken off the denial list. Please contact the State Child Support Enforcement Agency handling your case for more information.
Urgent matter: child support arrears
by: Alex Ramirez

Question: I only owe $1000.00 in arrears in New Mexico. Why was I denied? Was there a mistake? I travel on 7/20. Do I have time to resolve issue?

Answer: Please contact the State Child Support Enforcement Agency regarding your concern.
How to obtain a passport while I owe arrears
by: Anonymous

Question: I am a Georgia resident. I have been on a temporary child support court order for about 17 years. I pay child support through a garnishment order. I put myself on child support when I found out about the non-custodial parents responsibility to provide health care. I have not missed a payment in years. What steps do I take to obtain a passport?

Answer: Please contact the State Child Support Enforcement Agency handling your case for regarding your concern.
Passport for work
by: Anonymous

Question: I lost my job and was unemployed for several months and fell behind in payments. I've been working and paying for three years on time, including arrears, but I am still not caught up.

I have an opportunity at a job requiring some international travel. When I was denied my passport for a vacation I was planning they asked if my travel was for work and I responded no. They then told me I was denied. Does this mean there is an exception for work travel?

Answer: Please contact the State Child Support Enforcement Agency handling your case regarding your concern.
Debt
by: Anonymous

Question: I owe $500. Can I still get a passport?

Answer: You should still be able to apply for a passport. Only individuals who owe over $2500 in child support are placed in the denial list.
Paying child support
by: Truck driver

Question: I am paying back child support amounting to $19,000. It comes out my bank account. I need a passport for work because I drive a truck. How can I get a passport for that to do my job?

Answer: Please contact the State Child Support Enforcement Agency about getting you out off the denial list. Once this is done, you may apply for a passport.
Child support
by: Anonymous

Question: I owe $4700 in child support. Can I travel overseas to London from New York with a valid passport?

Answer: If there is no standing order preventing you from leaving the United States, you should be able to travel overseas without issue.
Can a judge revoke passport for child support
by: Anonymous

Question: Can an NY family court judge for child support violation revoke or submit a request to revoke a valid passport that is not expired and does not need to be renewed? Will that prevent international travel?

Answer: Revocation of a passport will certainly affect international travel. In the event that your passport will be revoked, you will be notified via mail.
Owe $9000 in child support, have valid passport
by: Anonymous

Question: I owe about $9000 in child support, currently not paying. I already have a valid passport that expires in about 8 years. I am planning a trip to the DR and staying for 3 months. Will I be able to use my current passport to leave the U.S?

Answer: You may be allowed to leave the country unless there is a standing order preventing you from travel.
Can I get a passport?
by: Anonymous

Question: I'm paying my back child support. Can I get a passport?

Answer: Please contact the State Child Support Enforcement Agency to find out if you are on the passport denial list.
Vacation
by: Anonymous

Question: My boyfriend and I are going away and he needs a passport. He owes child support, his back child support was waived but he currently owes current $3000. Could he also gets his son every other weekend? Could he get a passport?

Answer: He needs to contact the child support enforcement office handling his case for information and assistance.
Child support
by: Anonymous

Question: The attorney general officials offered me 2 choices -- pay past due amount of 12 thousand or my ex-wife drops the amount from child support. I need answer if my ex wife drop the amount from child support which is $12,000, can I get my passport?

Answer: Please contact the child support enforcement agency handling your case for questions regarding your child support.
I owe less than 2000 in child support.
by: Anonymous

Question: I only owe the medical support not arrears, can I get a passport to go on vacation?

Answer: You should be able to apply for a passport. Only individuals who owe more than $2500 in child support are placed in the passport denial list.
Need to travel
by: Anonymous

Question: My child was adopted from me at birth. They say I owe 30000 in child support. How can that be if she was adopted from me? How can I get a passport? Please help.

Answer: Passport Services cannot issue a passport to an applicant whose name is included on the passport denial list. Please contact the Office of Child Support Enforcement about this issue. We also recommend you consult an attorney.
Interest on child support
by: Anonymous

Question: I owe like 5 thousand in interest. All back is paid. I just owe interest. Can I still get a passport?

Answer: Please contact the child support agency to which you make payments to find out if your name has been placed on the passport denial list.
Child support
by: Anonymous

Question: I already have a US passport. I owe child support but not more than 2500 dollars. I pay regularly as scheduled. With that being said, will my passport still be valid to travel out the country.

Answer: Your passport is valid until the date of expiration.
Can you get a passport if you are paying on child support arrears?
by: Anonymous

Question: I want to travel to DR in august for my brother wedding. I do have child support arrears however I'm in compliance with my child support order, paying both my current payments as well as my arrears. Will I be able to obtain a passport?

Answer: If you owe $2500 or more in arrears, you will not be issued a passport.
passport for job opportunity
by: kyle

Question: I was on time with my child support payments until I was arrested for a charge that took 4 and a half years to litigate, then an additional year of fighting an illegal sentencing issue until it was resolved. After my release, I had to get the payments modified because I was not financially stable to make the previous payments because it was too much. I believe I'm in arrears of about 19,000 dollars. I'm paying a portion towards arrears and the child support itself. I have an opportunity to have a job that will be paying well but I will need a passport to do some traveling out of the country. How can I have this situation rectified so I can take advantage of this job opportunity?

Answer: You will have to pay the arrears before you will be issued a passport.
need help
by: aziz

Question: I owe about $19000 on child support but I need to travel to go visit my father. He's very sick. I haven't see him in like 2 years. What can I do?

Answer: Contact the Office of Child Support Enforcement about this issue.
Back child support
by: Anonymous

My husband owes back child support from when he was in college. He owes more than 2500. Now he has a full time job and pays regularly to both the back pay and regular support. His brother is getting married on a cruise to the Bahamas and he needs a passport so can be his best man. Can he still obtain one since he pays regularly out of every paycheck?

Click the link for information on How to Get a Passport When You Owe Child Support
Thanks
by: champagne

Thanks for that info. I'm trying to move to London in September of 2011 and I have back child support of 6571.00 and I would have felt like a fool applying for one and getting turned down. Now, does the same law apply to those who live in Alaska?

===========

Yes, this is a federal law that applies to all fifty states.

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