U.S. State Dept. to Revoke Passports for $100,000+ Child Support Debt

The U.S. State Department announced Thursday that it will begin revoking passports of thousands of parents owing substantial child support arrears, starting Friday with those who owe $100,000 or more.

The initial phase targets about 2,700 passport holders, according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services provided to the State Department. Officials plan to expand the program soon to include parents owing more than $2,500, the threshold established by a 1996 law that had been rarely enforced. The exact number of individuals affected at that lower level remains unclear, as HHS continues gathering figures from state agencies, though officials estimate it could involve many more thousands.

Previously, the penalty applied only to parents seeking passport renewals. Under the updated policy, HHS will notify the State Department of all overdue payments exceeding $2,500, prompting revocation of existing passports. Affected individuals will receive notice that their documents cannot be used for travel. They must apply for a new passport after confirming payment of arrears. Those abroad at the time of revocation can obtain an emergency travel document from a U.S. embassy...