Child Support Arrearage Can Impact Travel Outside The Country
PUBLISHERS UPDATE: Here is one of my favorites posts about the U.S. Passport Denial Program from back on January 15, 2011! This U.S. government program is still going strong. Here is a link to their website to learn more. We have a ton of interesting articles in our archives of the Ohio Family Law Blog. Use our Search tool and enjoy a few oldie but goodies!
Renewal Or Issuance Of A U.S. Passport May Be Denied If More Than $2,500 Is Owed In Child Support
Most people don’t realize that if you have a child support arrearage of more than $2,500 that you are NOT eligible for either a renewal or the issuance of a U.S. passport.  Also, be aware that there is no guarantee that even if your arrearage balance is below $2,500 that you will be allowed to obtain a passport because you are still in arrears. Many people who had intended to travel abroad have learned about this restriction the hard way and ended up having their plans aborted by a passport denial. Think about the implications if, for example, you were planning on getting married overseas and the passport request is denied.
To learn more, click here to go to the U.S. State Department’s Travel Abroad website to read about the mandatory process that must be undertaken before any passport application will be processed. You need to make arrangements to pay the State Support Enforcement Agency where child support is owed BEFORE you submit your application for a U.S. passport.  Also, all questions about your child support arrears or the status of a payment should be directed to that appropriate State Support Enforcement Agency and not to the U.S. State Department or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as they will be unable to help you.
Child Support Payment is Generally the only Solution to this Problem
In Ohio, it would be best to first contact the Support Enforcement Agency in the County administering the account. For instance, the contact phone number in Montgomery County, Ohio, is 1-800-555-0430. If you find yourself in this situation, call them and discuss a payment plan. Â Payment is generally the only solution to this problem. Â For more information about making child support payments in Ohio click here.
However, if you dispute what you owe and feel that you have been wrongly accused of owing support in excess of $2,500, then action needs to be taken immediately. In many instances the arrearage figure may be in error and incorrect. If you are not able to resolve that issue directly yourself with the Support Enforcement Agency, it may be necessary to file a motion in Court to correct the arrearage amount. That entire Court process may take several months to accomplish. Then, even after the Court issues a decision, it may take time for the agency to correct its records and send the updated account information to the State Department. Also realize that after the new information is received by the passport office, they say it takes generally 2-3 weeks before Passport Services will start to process your application. Thereafter, if all goes smoothly, allow at least another 6 weeks to receive the passport.  So, a word to the wise is to plan as far ahead as possible so you don’t end up stateside and miss the big event!
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Attorney Robert “Chip” Mues has been focusing his legal practice throughout Southwest Ohio primarily in divorce and family law matters since 1978. Chip is passionate about family law and has proudly published the Ohio Family Law Blog since 2007. In addition, he is the managing partner of Holzfaster, Cecil, McKnight & Mues. To learn more about him or the law firm, visit the firm’s website at www.hcmmlaw.com. Appointments are available in person, over the phone or by Zoom. Call us at 937 293-2141.
