Passport Requirement Aids Child Support Collection

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September 25th, 2007

"Passport Denial Program Helps Collect Child Support"

New passport rules are complicating life for more than travelers these days. For those who owe back child support payments, the latest rules are costing thousands.

In 1998, the State Department implemented the Passport Denial Program to help collect child support from non-custodial parents owing more than $2,500. Over the course of eight years, the program collected more than $22 million.

Since January 2007, however, the program has collected at least that amount. With millions of people now needing passports to travel to neighboring countries such as Canada and Mexico, collections are expected to double.

“For us, it's been amazing to see how people who owe back child support seem to be able to come up with good chunks of money when it involves needing their passport. Folks will do anything to get that passport, so it is a good collection tool,” said Adolfo Capestany of Washington State's Division of Child Support.

The government uses various methods to collect back child support, though the passport denial program is one of its most important tools. Total collections in 2006 totaled approximately $24 billion. The money is collected on behalf of about 17 million children.

(Source: The New York Times online)

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