U.S. authorities have warned that parents owing child support will have their passports revoked.

The Department of State announced this move on its website, adding that “to be eligible for a U.S. passport, you must pay any outstanding child support”.

“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,” the agency said.

It further warned that those whose passports are revoked for child support debt will have to pay their debts to obtain new passports.

“If your U.S. passport is revoked because you owe more than $2,500 in child support, you will need to contact the state where you owe child support to pay your debt,” the U.S. government stated.

It added, “Contact the state where your debt is owed for options to repay. After you have paid the state, you will be eligible for a new U.S. passport. A revoked passport may no longer be used for travel even if child support debt has been paid.

“If you have urgent travel, be aware the process for your state and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to remove your name from its records may take a minimum of 2-3 weeks. We cannot issue you a passport until HHS verifies your eligibility for a passport.”