The US State Department is expanding enforcement of a federalchild support policythat allows authorities to revoke or deny passports for parents with unpaid child support debts. Officials said the expanded measures will begin this week and could eventually affect thousands of American passport holders.
Under US law, individuals owing more than $2,500 (about £1,800) in overdue child support can already be denied a passport renewal or new application. However, the State Department told theAssociated Pressthe policy will now be enforced more aggressively, including revoking some active passports already in circulation.
Officials said the first phase will target approximately 2,700 people owing at least $100,000 in unpaid child support, with broader enforcement expected once updated state data is processed.
The enforcement system operates through coordination between theDepartment of Stateand the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). State child support agencies certify individuals who exceed the federal arrears threshold, after which the State Department can deny or revoke passport privileges.
The legal authority for the programme comes from a 1996 federal law, although officials acknowledged the policy has historically been enforced inconsistently. Until now, the programme mainly affected people applying for a new passport or attempting to renew an existing one.
In coordination with@HHSGov,@StateDeptis holding parents who owe significant child support accountable by revoking their passports. If you owe more than $2,500 in child support, arrange payment now to the relevant state child support enforcement agency.https://t.co/wvmM4lZ0Ta
In coordination with@HHSGov,@StateDeptwill 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
The U.S. will start revoking passports this week for parents who owe $100,000 or more in child support and soon will expand the policy.https://t.co/dEC8CFithF
Under the expanded approach, authorities said HHS will begin supplying broader records of people with qualifying debt, allowing the State Department to revoke active passports linked to unpaid child support obligations.
Once a passport is revoked, it can no longer be used for international travel until the debt is resolved through the relevant state child support agency. For Americans already overseas at the time of revocation, officials said emergency travel documents may be issued through US embassies or consulates to allow return travel to the United States.
Source: International Business Times UK
