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U.S. warns of passport revocations over child support debt
The policy applies to Americans owing more than $2,500 in unpaid child support under federal law.
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Malvika Choudhary - Fri, 08, May 2026
- 18:34 EDT
- 43
File photo. / IANS
The U.S. Department of State said it will revoke passports of individuals who owe more than $2,500 in child support debt, warning that affected Americans could lose eligibility for international travel until the debt is resolved.
In a May 8 update issued in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the State Department said federal regulations bar the issuance of U.S. passports to individuals with significant child support arrears and may also lead to revocation of valid passports.
“In coordination with @HHSGov, @StateDept will revoke U.S. passports of those who owe significant child support debt,” the department said in a public statement posted online. “Anyone owing child support debt should arrange payment now with the relevant state child support enforcement agency to prevent passport revocation.”
In coordination with @HHSGov, @StateDept will revoke U.S. passports of those who owe significant child support debt. Anyone owing child support debt should arrange payment now with the relevant state child support enforcement agency to prevent passport revocation. If outside the… pic.twitter.com/dgSZcdBnjU
— TravelGov (@TravelGov) May 8, 2026
The department said notices of passport revocations would be sent directly to passport holders by email or mail using the address listed on their most recent passport application.
Officials said individuals whose passports are revoked must contact the state where the child support debt is owed and settle the outstanding balance before becoming eligible for a new passport. The State Department noted that a revoked passport cannot be used for travel even after the debt is paid.
According to the guidance, Americans overseas whose passports are revoked because of unpaid child support will only qualify for a limited-validity passport allowing direct return travel to the United States until HHS confirms repayment of the debt.
The State Department said the process for HHS and state agencies to remove a person’s name from federal records after payment could take a minimum of two to three weeks. Passport applications cannot proceed until HHS verifies eligibility.
Applicants who have already submitted passport requests were advised to pay outstanding child support to all relevant state agencies. After payment is confirmed, states notify HHS, which then removes the individual from its records and informs the State Department to continue processing the application.
The State Department said it relies on certifications from HHS and “is not involved in the certification or decertification process.”
The department directed individuals with questions to contact their state child support enforcement agency or call the National Passport Information Center.
The policy stems from provisions in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, which authorized the State Department to deny, restrict, or revoke passports of individuals certified by the federal government as seriously delinquent in child support payments. Congress later lowered the enforcement threshold from $5,000 to $2,500 in 2005.
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