The US State Department announced on Thursday, May 7, that parents who owe more than $2,500 in child support will have their passports suspended. This means that they will not be able to travel or apply for new passports until their debts are paid.
No passport until debt is paid. The US State Department announced on Thursday, May 7, that it will begin revoking the passports of parents who have accumulated child support debts. In a statement, the department said it is implementing “common-sense measures” to prevent “individuals who owe significant amounts in child support […] from failing to fulfill their legal and moral obligations to their children.”
This measure will affect parents in debt of over $2,500 in child support, which is equivalent to 1,844 euros, as specified in the statement. According to the Associated Press, it is expected to take effect as of Friday, May 8, with the department initially focusing on parents who owe over $100,000 in child support – about 2,700 Americans.
Law rarely enforced until now
If an American’s passport is revoked, they will not be able to travel or renew their passport until they have settled their debt, the State Department affirmed. This measure is based on a federal law dating back to 1996, which has been rarely enforced until now, according to AP.
In its statement, the State Department announced that it will work closely with the Department of Health and Human Services to implement this measure. The latter will provide profiles of individuals with such debts to revoke their passports and confirm the payment of debts for those who pay their child support.
Those affected by this measure will be informed of the revocation of their passport and its consequences. They will need to apply for a new passport once the debt is paid off. If an American has their passport revoked while abroad, they will have to go to the US embassy or consulate to obtain a document allowing them to return to the United States.
