The Passport Denial Program, which is part of the Federal Collections and Enforcement Program, helps states enforce past-due support obligations. Under the program, the federal Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) submits a record of parents certified by a state as having arrearages exceeding $2,500 to the State Department. The State Department denies the parents U.S. passports upon application or the use of a passport service. OCSS does not automatically remove them from the Passport Denial Program even if their arrearages fall below the $2,500 threshold.
Policy and Technical Operations Information
- Action Transmittal 10-04 — Collection and Enforcement of Past-Due Child Support Obligations
— Policy document provides information and citations to the law. - State Department Passport Services Information
— Website provides detailed information for obtaining passports.
How to Get Your Passport After Release From the Program
The State Department’s Passport Agency will hold your application for 90 days. If OCSS has released your case before the end of the 90-day hold period, you must contact the National Passport Information Center and advise them of your release date. The Passport Agency will then mail the passport to you within two to five working days if you paid for expedited processing or up to 10 working days for regular processing. If the release exceeds 90 days, you must submit a new passport application.
If the State Department denied your passport for child support and you do not know which state submitted your case, or if you have never owed back child support, consult our list of State Child Support Agency Passport Denial Program Contacts. If you are in the military and stationed overseas, contact the state where you currently reside or your home of record.