Federal officials have begun revoking the U.S. passports of parents who owe $15,000 or more in past-due child support as of October 5, according to the San Juan Daily Star. The move represents the sixth reduction in the threshold since May, when the State Department started proactively revoking passports of parents owing $100,000 or more, as reported by PBS NewsHour. The underlying 1996 federal law applies to anyone owing more than $2,500, and officials have signaled that enforcement will continue to expand toward that figure.
For New York parents, the lower threshold significantly increases the risk of passport loss. Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. notes that the change leaves far more Rockland County parents exposed, including those who travel abroad for work or to visit family. The firm's child support lawyer in New City, NY represents parents on all sides of support orders, from initial calculations through modification and enforcement.
The implications extend beyond travel. Under New York Family Court Act § 451, a court cannot reduce support that accrued before a parent filed a petition to modify the order. A parent who lost a job last year and never filed still owes every payment missed since. A change in circumstances may justify a new order; New York generally allows modification after a substantial change in circumstances, after three years have passed, or when either parent's income has changed by 15% or more. Paying the balance does not restore travel rights immediately. Once arrears are resolved, a parent must apply for a new passport after payment is confirmed, so trips planned on short notice may be lost.
"Most parents who fall behind on child support aren't trying to dodge it. They lost income and assumed the order would adjust on its own," said Paul Goldhamer, founding partner of the firm. "It's important to understand that the order stands until a court changes it, so the time to act is as soon as your finances change."
The firm, founded in 1975 by Walter L. Kantrowitz and Paul Goldhamer, has represented individuals and families throughout New York and New Jersey for more than 50 years. Goldhamer has spent four decades focused on matrimonial law, guiding clients through divorce, child support, custody, alimony, and property settlement. The firm's attorneys also handle personal injury, national class action, employment, estate, and commercial real estate matters. Evening and weekend consultations are available by appointment. Parents with a support question can call (866) 971-0927 or contact the firm.
With the threshold now at $15,000 and expected to drop further, parents in Rockland County and across New York should review their support orders and seek legal advice before arrears reach a level that triggers passport revocation.
