Any case that receives full services from the Child Support Services Division (CSSD) is eligible for passport denial once the arrears owed exceed $2,500. Without a valid passport, the non-paying parent cannot travel outside of the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions -- Passport Denial

How does the passport denial process work?

Once the amount of overdue support owed by a parent exceeds $2,500, CSSD will submit that parent's name to the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS), which is the federal child support agency. OCSS forwards the parent's name to the U.S. State Department, which is the agency that issues passports. If that parent applies for a new or renewed passport, the State Department will reject the application and instruct the parent to contact CSSD. 

Does a parent receive notice before passport denial?

CSSD does provide notice before submitting a parent's name for passport denial.  The notice contains the following information:

  • The arrears amount
  • The right to dispute the arrears amount
  • The right to request an administrative review regarding submission of the parent's name for passport denial
  • Notification regarding the State Department's possible denial of a new passport application or the revocation or restriction of a previously issued passport
  • CSSD contact information for the parent's use to dispute the matter or to make payment arrangements either to avoid passport denial or to secure reinstatement.

What happens when a parent contacts CSSD after notification?

CSSD is prepared to assist parents who have received a passport denial notice. The parent may contact CSSD's Customer Service team at (202) 442-9900 for general information or CSSD’s Enforcement Unit at (202) 724-2316 to speak with the case management specialist assigned to the case.

A parent, who wishes to dispute the passport denial, will be given an objection notice form to complete and return to CSSD.  Along with the returned form, the parent must submit evidence to support the claim that passport denial is unwarranted, including: 

  • Cancelled checks or copies of money orders showing support paid
  • A copy of the child support order
  • Any other documentation of payments made, including specific dates

CSSD will document receipt of the completed form and the parent's intent to contest the passport-denial decision. This information will be used to review of the case and to determine if the parent's name should be removed from the passport denial list.

CSSD’s Enforcement Unit will provide a response to the objection within 45 days from the day the objection is received in the CSSD office. CSSD will remove the parent's name from the passport denial list if the finding is that the person's name was added in error.

If CSSD finds that the passport denial notice is proper, a parent still may be removed from the list by agreeing to a payment arrangement involving both of the following actions:

  • A lump-sum payment that reduces the existing arrears amount to zero
  • Regular payments of the amount listed in the current support order

Can a parent have access to a passport even though there are arrears of more than $2,500?

A parent may still receive a passport even though the arrears balance is more than $2.500 if the parent can show hardship. Examples of hardship include the need to travel abroad:

  • To visit a relative with a serious illness
  • Due to the death of a relative

The parent seeking a hardship exemption must contact CSSD and provide proof of the hardship in order for the claim to be granted. Contact CSSD Customer Service staff at (202) 442-9900 or contact CSSD’s Enforcement Unit at (202) 724-2316 to speak with the case management specialist assigned to the case.

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