State Department Steps Up Passport Revocations for Child Support Debt

On May 7, 2026, the U.S. State Department issued a press release stating that effective May 8, 2026, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), it would step-up enforcement of a 1996 law allowing the State Department to revoke a person’s passport for unpaid child support. This previously little-enforced law sets the amount to trigger revocation at $2,500; however, initially, the focus will be on parents owing $100,000 or more in past-due child support.

According to HHS, the $100,000 figure applies to about 2,700 passport holders, and it is still collecting data on how many people stand in excess of the $2,500 figure. A safe assumption is that the $2,500 threshold applies to hundreds of thousands of people, if not more.

Previously, the applicable law was enforced only in the most extreme situations, and in situations where individuals sought renewal of their passports. Now, offending passport holders will be notified that they will not be able to use their documents for travel until their support arrears are confirmed as paid. Also, “revoked” means just that; the individual will not be able to travel internationally, and they will be forced to apply for a new passport. If the individual is currently outside of the United States, that person will either need to make arrangements with the state where the debt is owed, satisfy the debt, and then seek to reapply for a new passport through the U.S. Embassy or consulate, or apply for a limited-validity passport allowing for direct return to the United States until HHS can verify satisfaction of the outstanding support arrears.

This is certainly a victory for children and parents owed child support. If you are on the other side, and the arrears are owed in Pennsylvania, and you believe there is an error with your support account, it is possible under the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure to file a petition to correct arrears. The family law attorneys at Weber Gallagher have experience with these petitions and are available for your questions.