Passport Application Denial
If a parent who owes support owes more than $2,500 in past-due child support or alimony, the U.S. Department of State will deny an application for a U.S. passport until the past-due support is paid or the Child Support Program releases the hold. This includes requests to renew, replace or add pages to an existing passport. When the past-due amount is first reported (certified), the parent who owes support is mailed a notice informing them that their application for a passport may be denied.
The parent who owes support has 30 days from the date of the notice to take one of the following actions to stop certification for passport denial.
- Make payment in full for the past-due support owed.
- Provide documentation showing the past-due balance was less than $2,500 when the Department of State was notified of the amount owed.
- Contact the Child Support Program for an administrative review.
It may take several weeks for the U.S. Department of State to issue a passport after past-due support is paid or the Child Support Program releases its hold on the passport.
What to expect after your passport application is denied
When a passport application is denied, the U.S. Department of State mails the parent who owes past-due support a passport denial letter informing them of the action taken and to contact the Child Support Program to resolve it. If the parent who owes support is unable to pay the past-due amount in full, contact us to determine what action should be taken. We will review the case and payment history, ability to pay and any additional concerns.
- If there is an urgent need to travel, contact us to discuss and provide additional documentation. Examples of an urgent need to travel and required documentation may include:
- Close relative's death or medical emergency: documentation from a medical authority verifying a death or medical emergency must be provided.
- Job-related travel: parent's employer must agree in writing to income withholding.
- Active-duty military member: parent must provide letter signed by a commanding officer (Major or Lieutenant Commander or above) stating parent's duties require a passport.
- Court order that requires reinstatement of a passport: a copy of the court order must be provided.
