Passport Denials for Owed Support
Quick answer
Once certified child support arrears reach $2,500, the U.S. State Department denies or refuses to renew the parent’s passport until the balance is paid down and the hold is released (42 U.S.C. § 652(k)).
Certified arrears of $2,500 or more trigger passport denial under federal law (42 U.S.C. § 652(k)) — the State Department won't issue or renew until the hold is cleared.
Clearing the hold
Pay the balance down below the threshold, then obtain the agency's release. Build in lead time: processing typically takes weeks before travel.
If you have work travel
Get documentation from your employer and ask the agency whether an expedited procedure is available for business travel.
If you need a lawyers for child support to collect what you're owed, Sinkin Law Firm handles collection and enforcement cases — and on those, you don't pay our fees.
Owed child support in Texas?
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