You could worry about a host of consequences if you have fallen behind on child support, from your driving privileges to your reputation and the threat of arrest. If you enjoy traveling to other countries or you need to go abroad for business, you need to understand that back child support could prevent you from leaving the country if it reaches a certain amount.
In addition to familiarizing yourself with child support laws that affect your passport privileges, you should immediately take a look at what you can do to address or prevent this serious issue.
Child support arrears and passport problems
According to the U.S. Department of State, child support arrears in excess of $2,500 makes a parent ineligible to receive a U.S. passport. If you have already applied for a passport, you should make payment arrangements with your state’s child support agency so the government can remove your name from their list of those ineligible to receive passports.
However, it can take up to three weeks for them to remove your name and move ahead with your application, so try to address back support promptly.
Child support and your ability to travel
If you owe child support and need to travel, it is important to stay current and look into strategies to address back support if you fall behind. If your financial situation has changed, you might have the opportunity to lower your payments through child support modification. Additionally, reviewing different payment methods and setting up a payment plan could help you protect your passport and address your child support obligations.