US child support debtors risk losing passports

American citizens in Nigeria have been alerted to strict U.S. laws regarding child support debt. The U.S. Mission in Nigeria posted on its X account that the State Department, working with the Department of Health and Human Services, is actively revoking passports of Americans with significant unpaid child support.

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The Department of State, in coordination with @HHSGov, is revoking passports of Americans with significant outstanding child support debt.

Under U.S. federal regulations, individuals owing more than $2,500 in child support are barred from obtaining a U.S. passport, and their current passports can be revoked. The U.S. Mission clarified that Americans abroad facing passport revocation can obtain a limited-validity passport solely for direct return to the United States.

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If you are outside the U.S. and your passport is revoked, you can schedule an appointment at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for a limited passport, valid only for direct return to the United States.

To regain a full-validity passport, affected individuals must first settle their outstanding child support obligations with the state that issued the debt. Even after payment, the State Department warns that it may take two to three weeks for records to update between state authorities and the Department of Health and Human Services before passport eligibility is restored. A revoked passport cannot be used for travel even if the debt has been paid.

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If you owe more than $2,500, federal regulations do not allow us to issue you a U.S. passport and we may revoke your valid U.S. passport.