"Starting Friday, the US State Department will revoke the passports of parents who owe at least $100,000 in unpaid child support, affecting about 2,700 individuals."
The U.S. State Department is implementing a significant expansion of its passport revocation policy for parents who are delinquent on child support payments.
Immediate Action: Beginning this Friday, the State Department will revoke the passports of individuals who owe $100,000 or more in unpaid child support. This initial action is expected to affect approximately 2,700 individuals.
Future Expansion: The department plans to dramatically broaden this program to include anyone owing more than $2,500, as mandated by a 1996 law. This expansion will take effect once necessary data is formally collected from state agencies.
Key Change in Policy: Previously, passport revocation was limited to those applying for a passport renewal. Under the new, more aggressive policy, the Department of Health and Human Services will report all past-due payments over $2,500 to the State Department, which will then automatically revoke the passports of affected holders—even if they are not currently seeking a renewal.
What Happens Next:
- Notification: Individuals whose passports are revoked will be officially notified.
- Resolution: To obtain a new passport, the debt must be fully resolved.
- Emergency Travel: For those currently abroad, a US embassy or consulate can issue an emergency travel document to allow them to return to the United States.
Proven Track Record: The State Department reports that since the program's inception in 1998, states have collected approximately $657 million in arrears, including over $156 million in lump-sum payments in the last five years alone. Since news of this expansion broke in February, hundreds of parents have already resolved their arrears to avoid having their passports revoked.
Key Details at a Glance
- Revocation Threshold: $100,000 initially, expanding to over $2,500.
- Affected Individuals: 2,700 for the $100,000+ threshold; potentially thousands more for the $2,500+ threshold.
- Notification: Revoked passport holders will be notified and must pay the full debt before they can reapply.
- Emergency Travel: Available for those stranded abroad.