Can You Get a Passport If You Owe Child Support?

State child support agencies report parents who owe more than $2,500 in arrears to the federal Office of Child Support Services (part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). The federal office forwards the information to the U.S. Department of State, which then refuses to issue or renew a passport for that person.

The process is largely automatic. Once the state agency submits the certification, the State Department flags the individual's record. When that person applies for a passport — whether new, renewed, or even a passport card — the application is denied.

The trigger is more than $2,500 in total past-due support across all cases — not a per-month figure. Once you cross it, the denial applies regardless of whether you are otherwise eligible for a passport.

This threshold is set by federal law and applies uniformly in all states. It includes both current arrears and any accumulated interest or fees that your state adds to the balance. To understand how arrears accumulate and what other enforcement actions apply, see our guide on child support arrears.

Contact the state child support agency that reported the debt. The steps to resolve the hold generally include:

• Pay the arrears in full, which eliminates the basis for the hold entirely.
• Pay enough to drop below the $2,500 threshold — once the balance is at or below $2,500, the agency can notify the federal program to release the hold.
• In some states, arranging an approved payment plan and making consistent payments may prompt the agency to withdraw the certification, though this varies by state.

After the state agency submits the release, it typically takes a few weeks to process before the State Department clears the passport block. Do not book non-refundable travel until you have confirmation that the hold has been lifted.

An existing valid passport is generally not revoked automatically, but you will be blocked when you try to renew it or apply for a new one while over the threshold. If your current passport expires while the hold is active, you will not be able to get a new one until the arrears are resolved.

In rare cases, the State Department has the authority to revoke an existing passport, but this is uncommon for child support holds. The practical effect is the same: you will eventually be unable to travel internationally once your current passport expires.