By Emmanuel Okogba
The United States Department of State, in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has announced that Americans with significant outstanding child support debts may have their passports revoked or be denied new passport issuance.
In a notice issued by the State Department, authorities stated that citizens who owe more than $2,500 in child support are not eligible to receive a U.S. passport.
“To be eligible for a U.S. passport, you must pay any outstanding child support. If you owe more than $2,500, federal regulations do not allow us to issue you a U.S. passport and we may revoke your valid U.S. passport,” the department said.
The agency explained that passport holders whose travel documents are revoked will be formally notified.
“Notices about passport revocations will be sent from the U.S. Department of State directly to the passport holder via email or to the mailing address provided on the most recent passport application,” the statement said.
According to the department, individuals affected by the measure must contact the state where the debt is owed and settle their outstanding obligations before becoming eligible for a new passport.
“Contact the state where your debt is owed for options to repay. After you have paid the state, you will be eligible for a new U.S. passport,” the notice stated.
The State Department further clarified that a revoked passport cannot be used for travel, even after the debt has been paid.
“A revoked passport may no longer be used for travel even if child support debt has been paid.”
For Americans whose passports are revoked while abroad, U.S. embassies and consulates may issue a limited-validity passport to facilitate their return home.
“If you are overseas and you received a notification that your U.S. passport has been revoked, please contact the state where you owe child support to pay your debt,” the department said.
It added: “You may contact your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for passport application procedures. You are only eligible for a limited-validity passport for direct return to the United States until HHS verifies repayment of the debt.”
The department warned that those with urgent travel needs should be aware that the process of restoring passport eligibility is not immediate.
“If you have urgent travel, be aware the process for your state and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to remove your name from its records may take a minimum of 2-3 weeks. We cannot issue you a passport until HHS verifies your eligibility for a passport.”
Officials outlined the process for restoring passport eligibility. Individuals must first pay all outstanding child support to the relevant state child support enforcement agencies. The state then informs HHS of the payment, after which HHS removes the individual’s name from its records and reports the update to the State Department.
“HHS removes your name from its records and reports this information to us. This process may take a minimum of 2-3 weeks.”
The State Department said passport processing can only continue after confirmation that HHS has removed the individual’s name from its list.
The agency advised citizens with questions about the policy to contact the National Passport Information Center through its designated telephone lines.
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