Beware - Passport Denied

[lsteadman]

I don't know if this topic has been discussed before but I am going to bring it up for those who might have missed it.

One of my best friends is getting married. They have been planning a trip to Aruba and someother warm places for their honeymoon. A few moments ago she called me in tears saying that her husband-to-be was DENIED a passport. She indicated that was denied a passport because he owed Federal back taxes and child support. She stated the letter indicated that he could be denied for child support or federal taxes.

Me being the curious person that I am I decided to Google "denied passport" and sure enough those reasons where stated. They have already invested a lot of money into their wedding and honeymoon. I told her to immediately cancel there honeymoon plans to see if she could get some of her money back. Her comment to me was "I just might cancel the wedding because she didn't know he had kids!." Now that I think about he never never mentioned kids before but that's her personal issue.

Anyway...this is the inforamation I copy from a website. If your in this situation Google and find out the details for yourself.

Tax Intercept and Passport Denial
What does tax intercept have to do with passports?
The debt certified for tax intercept is used by the US State Department to deny issuing or renewing passports. Two recent changes to federal law will impact parents who owe child support. One change will increase the number of passport denials for those who owe support. At the same time, a second change adds countries (including Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean) to the list of places requiring passports for travel.

Lower support debts will block passports
A 2006 change to federal law reduces the amount of debt that will trigger the denial of a passport. On October 1, 2006, the child support debt limit will be lowered to $2,500 (from $5,000).

The US State Department will deny or will not renew a passport automatically if the debt certified by tax intercept reaches the specified amount. The debt includes all unpaid support, fees, costs and interest.

If a parent was certified for tax intercept with a debt that is equal to or is more than the threshold and has not paid the debt in full, the parent’s passport will not be issued or renewed.

Example: A few years ago you received a letter telling you that you were certified for tax intercept. The letter stated you owed $6,000. You began to pay on your debt and now owe $2,000. Because you did not pay off the entire $6,000, your passport will be denied.

What can I do to get a passport?
If you owe child support, pay it in full.

Consider taking out a loan to pay off your debt
Contact your child support agency to arrange a payment plan that will release your passport
After I was placed on the Child Support Lien Docket, I agreed to a payment plan to protect my hunting license. Will my payment plan protect my passport?
If you already have a payment plan because of a child support lien, the payment plan might not prevent the denial of your passport. Check with your child support agency. (Information about child support liens and payment plans)

How can I find out more information about my passport?
For more information about passports, visit the US Department of State’s passport website, http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.

 

[kenneyjo]

Um, she didn't know he had kids? I'm thinking that is a stone cold dealbreaker!!!

The fact that he is not even paying taxes or child support...wow! Have to stop writing, all these red flags are hurting my eyes!

 

[outahere]

WOW!!! As my dis username says..... if I were her, I would be outahere!!!!

Wonder what else he is hiding from her?

 

[lsteadman]

I started this post to emphasize to DISers who might owe federal back taxes or back child support that they might want to clear up those issues before applying for a passport. I am sure there is a DISer who is thinking of a cruise or another vacation that might require a passport and it would be best for them to handle the debts before applying.

As sad as my best friend's situation is...and it's bad! I want the post to mainly reflect WHY YOU CAN BE DENIED A PASSPORT. For what I've read back taxes, back child support, and criminal history as the main reasons.

 

[blanq]

I appreciate you posting this lsteadman, and hopefully the information will be helpful to others.

I manage the child support office in the county I reside, and I can tell you that passports do get denied due to unpaid child support. With the threshold being lowered from $5000 to $2500 (for child support arrearages) and more people needing passports to travel to places they never needed to in the past, passport denial is becoming more common. I can tell you though, that it is better for the denial to come before a trip than in the middle of it. I have dealt with parents stranded in England, Taiwan, etc because they were out of passport pages, attempted to obtain new ones oversees, and had their passport seized on the spot for unpaid child support.

When passport denial occurs due to unpaid child support the passport may be able to be reinstated without payment of the arrears in full, so the State Dept info about it needing to be paid in full is not necessarily true. In MN, we can enter into a payment plan with those who owe past support. We do require some money up front, but not necessary all of it to get a passport reinstated. It depends on the situation. I can tell you that I personally would not be too sympathetic if the denial is keeping someone from an expensive Aruba vacation. I likely would want the downpayment on the child support payment agreement to at least match what that vacation was going to cost.

 

[LovableGluttons]

Yikes!!!

 

[lsteadman]

I appreciate you posting this lsteadman, and hopefully the information will be helpful to others.

I manage the child support office in the county I reside, and I can tell you that passports do get denied due to unpaid child support. With the threshold being lowered from $5000 to $2500 (for child support arrearages) and more people needing passports to travel to places they never needed to in the past, passport denial is becoming more common. I can tell you though, that it is better for the denial to come before a trip than in the middle of it. I have dealt with parents stranded in England, Taiwan, etc because they were out of passport pages, attempted to obtain new ones oversees, and had their passport seized on the spot for unpaid child support.

When passport denial occurs due to unpaid child support the passport may be able to be reinstated without payment of the arrears in full, so the State Dept info about it needing to be paid in full is not necessarily true. In MN, we can enter into a payment plan with those who owe past support. We do require some money up front, but not necessary all of it to get a passport reinstated. It depends on the situation. I can tell you that I personally would not be too sympathetic if the denial is keeping someone from an expensive Aruba vacation. I likely would want the downpayment on the child support payment agreement to at least match what that vacation was going to cost.

Blang,

Thanks for follow-up post. I see you are in Stillwater and as luck would have it we live in the Twin Cities area as well.

Here is a link to the details on the state.travel.gov website: http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppi/family/family_863.html

 

[tvguy]

I feel sorry for the woman. I don't for the man. He broke the law, he got caught. Unfortunately an innocent person has been hurt, fortunately the innocent person found out she almost married a scumbag

 

[flexsmom]

Wow! I had never thought of their being a connection before, but it makes sense for the Government to deny a passport in those situations to maximize the chances of preventing someone from skipping the country as one alternative to avoid ever paying up.

That said, and not that you asked, but if your friend does cancel the wedding, I'd encourage her to TAKE THE TRIP and take along a girlfriend! Especially if she would lose any money in cancelling - after such a frustrating and betraying experience, I'd be ready for some time in Aruba!

 

[jhannah]

Great reminder of things to "clean up" before applying for a passport.

On the bright side, it's good your friend found this out NOW instead of after the wedding!

 

[crisi]

The other one to watch is "are you REALLY a U.S. citizen." A few years ago a guy was on the boards that spent his life thinking he was a naturalized U.S. citizen - he served in the military. Went to apply for a passport and discovered his parents had never naturalized him. Couldn't get on the ship because he didn't have a U.S. birth certificate (his parents had emigrated from somewhere).

If you weren't born here, you need to make sure you actually are a citizen.

Sorry about your friend. That's quite a story - I'm sure its for the best that she found out now, but Wow, that doesn't make it any easier now.

 

[tvguy]

The other one to watch is "are you REALLY a U.S. citizen." A few years ago a guy was on the boards that spent his life thinking he was a naturalized U.S. citizen - he served in the military. Went to apply for a passport and discovered his parents had never naturalized him. Couldn't get on the ship because he didn't have a U.S. birth certificate (his parents had emigrated from somewhere).
.

That happened to my dad when he enlisted in the Army during World War II. Found out legally he was a German citizen. Army is a funny place, he was made a citizen on the spot, and shipped out to Germany to fight the next day.

Parents beware, on a similar note, as your children get ready for college, and if you hope for scholarships, know the following:
1) Your boys MUST register for the selective service before they can be considered for a scholarship.
2) If your child has had a conviction for drug offenses, they are ineligible for scholarships.

 

[mrsv98]

Does he admit that he owes this? Could it be that someone else with his name is the deadbeat? How about identity theft? Your friend should find out all the facts before she makes up her mind. OTOH, if he does owe and didn't tell her....BUH-BYE!