The Relationship Between Child Custody Agreements And Traveling Abroad

It is certainly a sign of the times that American passports for children are being harder to get but this really isn’t all bad. The numbers of children who are being abducted by parents is on the rise as is the divorce rate in homes with children. Passports can actually be used as a tool to create division between a parent and a child so in a difficult divorce, passports can become weapons. A law has been created to protect both parents as well as the child when child support is withheld and yet a costly vacation is planned.

In Section 51.70 (a) (8) of Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations, it completely outlines how a parent owing more than $2500 in child support is not able to receive a passport. So many parents in the United States struggle with getting child support payments, so it’s no surprise that this is the number one reason that keeps people from getting passports. This law is a dramatic stride towards enforcing child support payments.

When a parent who attempts to apply for a passport for their child is found on the list of those who are neglecting to pay their child support, they are referred to their local county probation agency and must arrange to make payment. No further action will be taking regarding the acquisition of the child’s passport until the US Department of Health and Human Services receives proof that payment has been made. They, in turn, notify the State Child Support Enforcement Agency that payment has been made and they, in turn, notify the Department of State who remove the payer’s and their child’s name from the list of those to have passports withheld.

Many other laws exist that aim to help enforce safety when it comes to children getting passports. One of these is the Two Parent Consent Law. This law, enacted in 2008, requires that both parents give their consent when applying for a passport. The Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program, or CPIAP, is another service established to protect children. This program lets the parents or guardians know that a passport has been filed for their child before the passport is actually issued. The Office of Children’s Issues charges itself with providing information to foreign countries and creates programs and policies in order to track down parents who have abducted their child.

As you can see, several agencies and programs have been put into place to aid in the protection of children and their parents when it comes to the acquisition of passports for children. Perhaps these laws will lead to other legislation to help enforce the payment of court ordered child support making it harder for the neglectful payer to leave town or even the country.

For more information about whether you are eligible for get a American passport, visit USPassportNow.com.