Can I travel to Puerto Rico if I owe child support?

Can I travel to Puerto Rico if I owe child support?

Generally, yes. If you owe over $2,500 in child support arrears, your state Dept. of Social Services / Child Support Agency can certify that fact to the US Dept. of Health & Human Services and DHHS will place you on their passport denial list.

Can you get a passport if you owe back child support?

However, if you owe back child support, you may not be able to obtain a U.S. passport until you pay off your child support arrears. In other words, you may not be able to travel outside the United States until you resolve your outstanding, overdue child support obligation.

Can a person who owes child support travel abroad?

Answer: If a person who owes child support has a valid passport and the child support enforcement agency does not revoke it, he is free to travel overseas. Also, owing child support is not cause for arrest.

What to do if you owe child support?

When this happens you should not try to call the human services department. What you need to do is to first contact your local child support agency so that you can reach a favourable agreement with them or make necessary arrangements so that you can clear your child support debt.

What to do if your child support is denied?

Answer: You will be notified once your application is received and your name is matched on the denial list. If you suspect that you have arrears over $2500, it is best to contact the State Child Support Enforcement Agency handing your case to make payment arrangements before applying for a passport.

However, if you owe back child support, you may not be able to obtain a U.S. passport until you pay off your child support arrears. In other words, you may not be able to travel outside the United States until you resolve your outstanding, overdue child support obligation.

How does the Passport Denial Program work for child support?

The Passport Denial Program, which is part of the Federal Collections and Enforcement Program, helps states enforce past-due support obligations. Under the program, the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) submits a record of parents certified by a state as having arrearages exceeding $2,500 to the State Department.

Can you fly to China if you owe child support?

Answer: If you still owe over $2500 in child support arrears, you will not be eligible to apply for passport. Without a passport, you will not be allowed to board a flight to China. Please contact the State Child Support Enforcement Agency handling your case for more information.

When this happens you should not try to call the human services department. What you need to do is to first contact your local child support agency so that you can reach a favourable agreement with them or make necessary arrangements so that you can clear your child support debt.