The United States Department of State has announced a major enforcement action targeting parents who owe significant unpaid child support, saying it will begin revoking passports as part of efforts to recover long-standing debts.
According to the department, the process will commence on Friday and will initially affect individuals owing $100,000 or more in child support payments.
Figures from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) indicate that about 2,700 Americans are expected to be impacted at this first stage.
Officials say the move is part of a broader expansion of a long-standing federal law introduced in 1996, which allows passport restrictions for parents with unpaid child support but has not been fully enforced over the years.
Under the expanded plan, the policy will eventually cover parents owing at least $2,500, although authorities say they are still compiling data from state agencies to determine the full number of affected individuals.
The State Department explained that HHS will now forward the names of all qualifying defaulters to passport authorities, who will then proceed with revocation.
Previously, passport penalties were mainly applied only during renewal processes, but the new system allows for active revocation of existing passports.
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Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, Mora Namdar, described the move as a practical enforcement tool aimed at ensuring compliance with child support obligations.
“We are expanding a commonsense practice that has been proven effective at getting those who owe child support to pay their debt,” she said, adding that individuals would regain passport privileges once they settle their arrears.
The department also revealed that early signals of the policy have already prompted some parents to begin paying their debts, following public reports about the planned expansion earlier in the year.
Officials noted that since the enforcement mechanism was first introduced in 1998, states have recovered approximately $657 million in unpaid child support, including over $156 million from more than 24,000 lump-sum payments in the last five years.
Under the new rules, affected individuals will be notified that their passports are no longer valid for international travel. They will only be eligible for reissuance after clearing their outstanding debts.
The department further explained that Americans whose passports are revoked while abroad will be required to contact a US embassy or consulate to obtain emergency travel documents to return home.
Authorities say the policy is designed to strengthen compliance with child support laws and ensure financial responsibility toward children under US law.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.