U.S. to revoke passports for unpaid child support

Parents with unpaid child support may soon have their U.S. passports revoked and be ineligible for new ones, according to a Thursday statement from the Department of State. State officials planned to coordinate with the Department of Health and Human Services on an unprecedented scale in the revocation of passports for child support delinquency. The crackdown will apply to anyone owing more than $2,500 in court-ordered child support.

This policy is a commonsense tool to support American families and children, while reinforcing compliance with court orders, the state department said. Americans with significant child support debts must arrange payment or lose their ability to travel outside the United States, according to the State Department. Passport eligibility may be restored once the relevant state agency is paid and the individual is no longer considered delinquent in HHS records.