Serving those in Clark County; including Vancouver, Camas, Washougal, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, La Center, and more.
If you owe past-due child support, your passport may be at immediate risk. Starting May 8, 2026, the federal government began actively revoking passports from parents who owe unpaid child support. Here is what is happening, who it affects, and what you can do about it.
For years, the government could deny or revoke passports for unpaid child support, but they only acted when someone tried to renew or apply for a passport. Many parents with arrears had no idea there was a problem until their passport renewal was denied.
The U.S. State Department is now using data from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to proactively revoke passports, even if you have not applied for anything. If the government has certified that you owe $2,500 or more in past-due child support, your current, valid passport can be revoked without you doing anything to trigger it.
The government is rolling this out in two steps, and the second one will affect a lot more people.
Phase 1 is underway now. Parents who owe $100,000 or more in past-due child support are the first to have their passports revoked. This began May 8, 2026.
Phase 2 is coming. Officials have confirmed the program will expand. The law allows the government to go after anyone who owes $2,500 or more. When Phase 2 kicks in, tens of thousands of parents could be affected.
If you owe at least $2,500 in past-due child support, this program is moving in your direction.
You will receive a notice that your passport has been revoked. Until your arrears are resolved, you will not be able to get a new passport or travel internationally. Once the debt is paid in full or brought below the $2,500 threshold through your state agency, it takes about two to three weeks for your account to be cleared and your passport privileges restored.
If you have a work trip, family event, or vacation planned, that delay could be a serious problem.
A revoked passport is serious, but it is not the only consequence you can face for falling behind on child support in Washington State. Other enforcement tools include:
State and federal tax refund interception: Your tax refund can be taken and applied to your balance before you ever see it.
Bank account garnishment: Funds can be taken directly from your bank account.
Wage garnishment: Your employer can be ordered to withhold a portion of your paycheck.
Suspension of your driver's license: The Washington Department of Licensing can suspend your driving privileges.
Suspension of fishing and hunting licenses: Washington State can suspend your recreational licenses if you fall behind on support.
Suspension of professional licenses: If you hold a professional license in Washington, that can be suspended as well.
Contempt of court: A judge can find you in contempt, which can result in fines or even jail time.
This is one of the most common questions, and the answer is straightforward: no. Past-due child support cannot be reduced or erased by a court. Once the debt is owed, it must be paid. The only path to clearing it is paying it down or entering into a formal payment arrangement with the Washington State Division of Child Support.
Child support arrears also cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. Unlike most debts, this remains regardless of what happens to your other finances.
You cannot undo past-due support, but you are not without options.
If your financial situation has changed since your support order was entered, Washington law allows you to ask the court to modify your ongoing monthly obligation. A court can modify a child support order when there has been a substantial change in circumstances. Common reasons include:
A significant drop in income due to job loss or reduced hours
A serious illness or disability affecting your ability to work
A change in the custody or residential schedule
A significant increase in the other parent's income
A modification will not erase what you already owe, but lowering your monthly payment frees up money to pay down the balance and stops the debt from continuing to grow. It is one of the most practical tools available when you are trying to get back on track.
One important note: in Washington, a modification only takes effect from the date you file your petition, not from the date your circumstances changed. Every month you wait is another month of payments building up under an order that may no longer reflect your reality.
If you are behind on child support, the stakes are real. Your passport, your licenses, your bank account, and your freedom can all be affected. You do not have to navigate this alone.
We can help you:
Evaluate whether you qualify for a child support modification under Washington law to lower your ongoing child support payments to hopefully make the debt more manageable
Understand the process for filing a child support modification
Represent you in court to present the strongest case for a modification
You cannot change what is already owed, but you can take control of what happens next. The sooner you act, the more options are on the table.
Contact our office today to schedule a consultation. Let's review your situation and put together a plan that works for you and your family.
This post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every situation is different. Please consult with a qualified family law attorney about your specific circumstances.
If you owe past-due child support, your passport may be at immediate risk. Starting May 8, 2026, the federal government began actively revoking passports from parents who owe unpaid child support. Here is what is happening, who it affects, and what you can do about it.
Few things feel more personal or emotional than child custody. When life changes, the parenting plan that once worked may no longer fit your child’s needs or your family’s reality.
Divorce and separation can be emotionally challenging for families, and one of the toughest decisions can involve supporting children as they transition into adulthood. Many parents wonder whether child support continues after high school and under what circumstances a court might order post-secondary educational support.
