If you’re behind on child support payments, you may be wondering, “Can you get a passport if you owe child support in Florida?” This is a common concern for parents facing past due child support, especially when travel plans, employment in other countries, or renewing an existing passport are at stake.
Under the passport denial program, a federal enforcement measure created by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, individuals with child support arrears above a certain threshold may be barred from submitting a passport application, renewing an existing passport, or requesting additional pages.
If you owe child support in more than one state or have unresolved past due support, your passport privileges may already be suspended. Do not wait for the government to deny your ability to travel. Contact Quinn & Lynch today by calling (813) 223-7739 to schedule a consultation and find out how we can help you resolve your child support issues.
How Child Support Affects Passport Eligibility
Child support obligations can directly impact your ability to obtain or renew a passport. If you owe more than $2,500 in past due child support, your name may be submitted by the child support agency to the federal passport denial program.
The U.S. Department of State enforces this administrative process in coordination with the Florida Department of Revenue and its child support program. Once your information is reported, your passport application will be denied, and any existing passport privileges may be revoked. This includes being unable to renew a passport, receive a new one, or make changes, such as adding pages.
The intent behind this enforcement is to encourage parents to pay arrears and stay current on their child support payments. Until the past due balance is resolved, the Department of State will not process your application, which will limit your ability to travel to other countries.
Can Child Support Stop You From Getting a Passport in Florida?
If you owe child support and try to get a passport, your application will likely be denied through the federal passport denial program. Once your past due child support exceeds $2,500, the Florida Department of Revenue’s child support program reports your name to the U.S. Department of State. At that point, any attempt to submit a passport application, renew an existing one, or request additional pages will be blocked.
You will not receive a passport until the child support agency confirms that your past due balance has been paid or reduced below the threshold. In some cases, parents only learn about the denial after they have submitted an application and received a notice from the government. If you’ve received a passport denial or expect one due to unpaid child support, taking immediate action to pay arrears or request an administrative review may help restore your passport privileges.
How a Tampa Child Support Attorney Can Help
A Tampa child support attorney can provide critical guidance if you are facing a passport denial due to unpaid child support. An attorney can communicate directly with the Florida Department of Revenue and the child support agency to confirm the accuracy of your past due balance, negotiate a payment plan, or pursue an administrative review to resolve reporting errors.
An experienced attorney can also help you take the necessary steps to pay arrears and work with the child support program to request the release of your name from the passport denial program. Whether you are trying to submit a passport application or restore your passport privileges, professional legal representation can help you move forward with confidence and protect your rights.
Working with Child Support Services to Resolve Passport Issues
A child support attorney can work directly with child support services to help resolve passport issues related to unpaid child support. This includes contacting the Florida Department of Revenue’s child support program to confirm the accuracy of your past due balance, negotiating a payment arrangement, and ensuring that all necessary steps are taken to remove your name from the passport denial program.
By managing communication between you and the child support agency, your attorney can help speed up the administrative process and improve your chances of restoring your passport privileges as quickly as possible.
FAQs About Child Support and Passports in Florida
Can I Get a Temporary Passport if I Owe Child Support?
In most cases, you cannot get a temporary passport if you owe more than $2,500 in child support. The passport denial program applies to all types of passports, including temporary ones. The Department of State will not issue any passport until the child support agency confirms that your past due balance has been paid or reduced below the threshold.
Can You Leave the Country if You Owe Child Support?
If you owe child support, you may be prevented from leaving the country if your passport has been denied or revoked due to past due support. The Department of State will not issue or renew a passport if your child support arrears exceed the federal threshold, which means you cannot legally travel to other countries without a valid passport.
How to Get a Passport if You Owe Child Support?
To get a passport if you owe child support, you must pay the past due balance or set up a payment agreement through the Florida Department of Revenue’s child support program. Once the agency confirms your compliance, it will notify the Department of State, which will then lift the passport denial and allow your application to move forward.
Can Your Passport Be Revoked For Child Support in Florida?
Yes, your passport can be revoked for child support in Florida if your past due balance exceeds the federal threshold. The Florida Department of Revenue reports qualifying cases to the Department of State, which can suspend or revoke existing passport privileges until the arrears are resolved.
Need a Tampa Child Support Lawyer Who Knows How to Get a Passport If You Owe Child Support?
If you are facing passport denial because of unpaid child support, Quinn & Lynch can help you take the right steps to resolve the issue. Our Tampa child support attorneys have experience working with the Florida Department of Revenue and child support services to help parents settle past due balances and restore their ability to travel.
Whether you need to pay arrears, set up a payment plan, or request an administrative review, we are here to guide you through the process. Call us today at (813) 223-7739 or complete our online contact form to schedule a consultation.
