US to revoke passports of citizens owing over $2,500 in child support

The Department of State, in coordination with @HHSGov, is revoking passports of Americans with significant outstanding child support debt. If you are outside the U.S. and your passport is revoked, you can schedule an appointment at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for a… pic.twitter.com/GFyJp006bF

— U.S. Mission Nigeria (@USinNigeria) June 24, 2026

PAY YOUR CHILD SUPPORT — OR LOSE YOUR PASSPORT

America has a message for parents dodging child support: pay up or stay home.

The US State Department, in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services, has issued a stark warning — citizens owing more than $2,500 in child support are not eligible for a US passport, and existing passports can be revoked.

“If you owe more than $2,500, federal regulations do not allow us to issue you a US passport and we may revoke your valid US passport,” the department stated bluntly.

Affected passport holders will be notified directly by email or mail. And here’s the kicker — even after paying the debt, a revoked passport cannot be used for travel. You need a brand new one.

The restoration process isn’t quick either. After settling the debt with the relevant state, the state notifies HHS, HHS updates its records and informs the State Department. The entire process takes a minimum of two to three weeks — even for urgent travel cases.

Got caught abroad with a revoked passport? The nearest US embassy can issue a limited-validity document, but only for a direct trip home. No sightseeing detours.

The policy itself isn’t new, but the formal reminder signals renewed enforcement. For the estimated millions of Americans with outstanding child support arrears, the message is crystal clear.