Can I get a passport if I owe Child Support.

Hello victor120563,

If you owe more than $2,500, it is unlikely that you be able to get a passport. Section 51.70 (a) (8) of Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations provides that if you are certified to Passport Services by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to be in arrears of child support payments in excess of $2,500, you are ineligible to receive a U.S. passport. I am not exactly sure how this works, but I believe the child support enforcement agency in your state reports you to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if you are more than $2,500 behind in payments. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services then reports you to Passport services, and if you then apply for a passport, you will be denied.

So, before you apply for a passport, you should take care of any support arrears above $2,500.

I will refer you to: Child Support Payments and Getting a U.S. Passport (http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppi/family/family_863.html) for additional information.

tswartz1