If you fall behind on your child support payments, you should do everything in your power to get caught up as soon as possible. Back child support could lead to the loss of your driving privileges, the threat of time behind bars and a shattered reputation. In addition, it could also affect your ability to leave the country.
Parents who owe more than a certain amount of back child support cannot receive U.S. passports, and this could create serious problems if you intend to travel for business or you want to take part in a family event held in another country.
Back child support and applying for a passport
The U.S. Department of State covers unpaid child support and passport applications and says that parents lose passport eligibility when their child support arrears go over $2,500. In order to regain the ability to have your passport application processed normally, you will first have to make suitable arrangements with the child support unit in your state.
It is also vital to remember that the government could revoke your existing passport if your child support arrears exceed $2,500.
Restore your passport privileges by paying back child support
In order to regain the ability to successfully apply for a U.S. passport, you have to satisfy the child support payment requirements with the child support agency in your state. You should remember that it can take as many as three weeks for them to take your name off of their list of those ineligible to receive passports due to child support arrears.
In addition, reviewing other strategies to stay current on child support could prove valuable, such as modifying your support order.
