On May 7, 2026, the United States Department of State (“DOS”) announced that it will begin revoking U.S. passports for certain individuals with outstanding child support arrears.
Under existing federal regulations (22 CFR §51.62) and DOS policy guidance (7 FAM 1754), DOS may deny or revoke a U.S. passport when the Department of Health and Human Services (“DHHS”) certifies that an individual owes more than US$2,500 in child support.
Although this authority has existed for years, the announcement signals increased enforcement efforts. According to recent reports, the initial phase may focus on individuals with arrears exceeding US$100,000, with broader enforcement potentially expanding to all individuals owing more than US$2,500.
Once revoked, a passport may no longer be used for international travel. In most cases, the individual will not become eligible for a new passport until DHHS certifies that the child support arrears have been resolved.
If an individual is overseas at the time of revocation and remains in arrears, they may contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to request a limited-validity passport for direct return travel to the United States.
If you have questions about Passport Revocation for Child Support Arrears, contact us at info@enterimmi.com