Can a US passport be taken away?

Asked by: Miss Victoria Olson DVM  |  Last update: February 18, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (1 votes)

Yes, a U.S. passport can be revoked or denied by the State Department for reasons like fraud, seriously delinquent tax debt, or unpaid child support, and law enforcement can request it for felonies or outstanding warrants, but it doesn't affect your underlying citizenship, and you'd get notice and an opportunity to appeal.

Can your U.S. passport be taken away?

The State Department may also deny a taxpayer's passport application or revoke their current passport. If taxpayers with certified tax debts are overseas, the State Department may issue a limited-validity passport allowing the taxpayer to return directly to the United States.

How does a U.S. passport get revoked?

There are also several statutes under which passports may be revoked and that are incorporated into DOS's regulations, including: 8 U.S.C. 1504 (the passport was illegally, fraudulently or erroneously obtained);42 U.S.C. 652(k) (for non-payment of child support); 22 U.S.C. 2714 (for certain drug traffickers); 22 U.S.C.

Can you get a U.S. passport if you have a felony?

Who can and cannot get a passport? According to USA Today, most felons can get a passport without a problem. This is assuming a person is not currently awaiting trial, on probation or parole or otherwise banned from leaving the country.

Why would a passport be confiscated?

You are considered a flight risk.

If prosecutors believe you may attempt to flee the country to avoid prosecution, they may request the court to confiscate your passport or restrict your ability to apply for one.

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How do you tell if your passport is flagged?

You often don't know your passport is flagged until you try to travel and get pulled aside for secondary screening (extra questions/searches) at border crossings or airports, but you can check your status via CBP's I-94 website for entry/exit, contact courts if you have legal issues, or file a DHS TRIP request if you're frequently stopped. Reasons for flagging vary, from name similarities to security concerns, tax debt, or legal issues. 

What felony stops you from getting a passport?

Felonies that often disqualify you from getting a passport involve drug trafficking, terrorism, treason, kidnapping, human trafficking, child sexual abuse material, or certain federal crimes related to fraud or espionage, especially if you are a fugitive or on probation/parole with travel restrictions, but most other felonies don't automatically prevent issuance; other disqualifiers include major child support arrears ($2,500+) or outstanding federal warrants, notes the U.S. Department of State. 

How long does a felony stay on your record in the US?

A felony conviction typically stays on your U.S. criminal record indefinitely, creating a permanent history, but specific states offer remedies like expungement or sealing after waiting periods (often 7+ years) and meeting strict criteria, though serious or violent felonies are often ineligible. Options depend heavily on your state, the crime's severity, and your behavior since, with some "Clean Slate" laws automatically sealing records. 

What prevents a US citizen from getting a passport?

You can't get a U.S. passport if you aren't a citizen, have serious criminal issues (like felony drug charges, outstanding warrants, or being on parole for certain crimes), owe significant back child support ($2,500+), have severe overdue federal taxes, or if you're a minor with insufficient parental consent. Other reasons include failing to provide proper ID, owing money to the State Department, or facing a court order preventing travel.
 

What makes a passport cancelled?

A passport can be cancelled for legal issues like serious tax debt, felony warrants, or child support arrears, or if it was obtained fraudulently, damaged, or contains errors, with revocation often triggered by law enforcement or federal agencies. Revocation also occurs if your U.S. citizenship is questioned or disproven, such as after a denied Certificate of Citizenship application.
 

How can a US citizen lose their citizenship?

How you may lose your U.S. citizenship

  1. Run for public office in a foreign country (under certain conditions)
  2. Enter military service in a foreign country (under certain conditions)
  3. Apply for citizenship in a foreign country with the intention of giving up U.S. citizenship.

How can you tell if your passport is revoked?

You'll know your passport is revoked primarily through official written notification from the U.S. Department of State (DOS) or the IRS, often via a CP508C notice for tax-related issues, telling you it's been denied or canceled, but you might also notice it if a new application is rejected or you're stopped at the border. The DOS will send a letter detailing reasons and appeal rights; if you're overseas, you can travel home but can't leave again until resolved. 

Why would a US passport be revoked?

If you owe $2,500 or more in past-due support and your passport is still valid, you may still travel. However, if you lose your passport, need to update your name or photo, request additional pages or attempt to register a foreign birth, any passport agency, embassy or consulate may revoke your passport.

What are the two ways of losing citizenship?

Loss of nationality occurs where a person ceases to be a national of a country under its law. The principal modes of loss of nationality are: Deprivation of nationality on grounds of conduct. Deprivation of nationality on grounds of fraud or misrepresentation.

Has anyone ever had US citizenship revoked?

Yes, U.S. citizenship can be revoked, a process called denaturalization, primarily for naturalized citizens who obtained it through fraud or concealment, though it's rare and legally complex, with historical periods seeing wider revocation for political reasons, especially involving war criminals and alleged communist ties, with recent efforts focusing on immigration fraud. 

What kind of felonies cannot be expunged?

Several types of offenses are automatically excluded from expungement eligibility in California:

  • Serious Sex Crimes Involving Minors. ...
  • Felonies That Resulted in Prison Time (Not Jail) ...
  • Crimes Related to Public Corruption. ...
  • Crimes Not Eligible Due to a Violation of Probation or Parole.

What's worse, felony 1 or felony 3?

A first-degree felony is significantly worse than a third-degree felony, representing the most serious level of felony crimes, often involving severe violence or premeditation, while third-degree felonies are less severe but still carry substantial penalties, with specific punishments varying by state, but generally involving years in prison. In most jurisdictions, the numbering goes from 1 (most serious) down to 3 or 4 (less serious felonies). 

What is the Texas 7 year rule?

The Texas 7-Year Rule limits background checks by prohibiting consumer reporting agencies from reporting most criminal history (arrests, civil suits, judgments, paid tax liens) older than seven years, but convictions are often an exception, potentially reportable indefinitely, though this is complex. Key exceptions to the 7-year limit for any record include jobs paying over $75,000 annually, certain insurance roles, government jobs, and in-home services, allowing deeper historical searches. The rule aims to give people a second chance, but federal law (FCRA) interacts, and specific roles often bypass these limits. 

Does your passport show if you have a felony?

Because U.S. passports are merely identification documents that show citizenship; they do not contain people's criminal record information. Convicted felons should not run into trouble obtaining U.S. passports unless there is an active warrant for their arrest or they're facing felony charges.

What disqualifies you for a passport?

You can be stopped from getting a passport due to legal issues like felony drug convictions, federal warrants, or owing over $2,500 in child support; financial problems, such as seriously delinquent federal taxes or defaulted federal loans; or administrative errors on your application, like missing information, incorrect photos, or inadequate proof of citizenship. National security concerns and specific sex/human trafficking offenses can also lead to denial.
 

Can a felon get a passport after 10 years?

Yes, most felons can get a US passport if they have completed their sentence, have no outstanding warrants, and are not currently on probation or parole.

What shows up when your passport is scanned?

Breaking down what happens when your passport is scanned

Airlines share your Passenger Name Record up to 72 hours before travel (name, itinerary, payment info, etc.). Officials cross-reference Interpol, watchlists, visa denials, and criminal records. Cameras match your current appearance against your passport photo.

What stops a US citizen from getting a passport?

You can't get a U.S. passport if you aren't a citizen, have serious criminal issues (like felony drug charges, outstanding warrants, or being on parole for certain crimes), owe significant back child support ($2,500+), have severe overdue federal taxes, or if you're a minor with insufficient parental consent. Other reasons include failing to provide proper ID, owing money to the State Department, or facing a court order preventing travel.