Can you get a passport if you have debt collection?
Asked by: Dr. Tyson Spencer | Last update: August 15, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (70 votes)
Generally, the State Department will not issue passports to taxpayers after receiving their delinquent debt certification from the IRS. The State Department may also deny a taxpayer's passport application or revoke their current passport.
Can you be denied a passport because of debt?
Seriously delinquent tax debt is your unpaid, federal tax debt which includes interest and penalties. If the Secretary of the Treasury let us know you have seriously delinquent tax debt, we cannot issue a U.S. passport to you. We may also revoke your valid U.S. passport.
What will disqualify you from getting a passport?
Some reasons to deny a passport include: A valid, unsealed federal warrant of arrest. A federal or state criminal court order. A condition of parole or probation forbidding departure from the United States (or the jurisdiction of the court)
How much do you have to owe the IRS to be denied a passport?
The answer depends on the severity of your delinquency. According to the IRS, you will not be able to renew or apply for a passport if you are considered to owe “seriously delinquent” back taxes in the amount of $53,000 or more. Based on these conditions, the State Department can also revoke your current passport.
Can bad credit stop you from getting a passport?
The type of debt and credit problems that you have stated would not be a cause for denial of a US passport. There are some forms of debt that could be problematic including certain levels of unpaid child support or certain Federal loans connected with prior repatriation. Common credit card debt would not be an issue.
What Happens If You Never Pay Your Credit Card? (Explained)
Can you get a passport if you have debt collections?
Generally, the State Department will not issue passports to taxpayers after receiving their delinquent debt certification from the IRS. The State Department may also deny a taxpayer's passport application or revoke their current passport.
What cancels a passport?
(a) The Secretary of State is authorized to cancel any United States passport or Consular Report of Birth, or certified copy thereof, if it appears that such document was illegally, fraudulently, or erroneously obtained from, or was created through illegality or fraud practiced upon, the Secretary.
Can you fly internationally if you owe taxes?
Passport restrictions are law, and the IRS has now put procedures in place to continuously enforce the program. This means that if you find yourself with seriously delinquent tax debt in the future, you can expect the IRS to start the process with the State Department to restrict your passport.
What is the passport denial program?
The Passport Denial Program helps child support agencies collect from noncustodial parents who owe more than $2,500 in past-due child support. A noncustodial parent whose support debt meets the criteria for certification receives a Pre-Offset Notice that explains the process.
Can a felon get a passport?
Yes, a convicted felon can usually get a passport, but it depends on the felony and other factors: Felony typeSome felonies can automatically disqualify you from getting a passport, including: International drug trafficking Trafficking minors "Sex tourism" offenses Treason.
What can hold you up from getting a passport?
- Outstanding child support payment of $2,500 or more. ...
- Seriously delinquent tax debt (via notification from the Secretary of the Treasury) ...
- Unsealed federal warrant for the applicant's arrest.
- Federal or state court order.
What is considered seriously delinquent tax debt?
IRS Definition
Seriously delinquent tax debt is an individual's unpaid, legally enforceable federal tax debt totaling more than $51,000* (including interest and penalties) for which a: Notice of federal tax lien has been filed and all administrative remedies under IRC § 6320 have lapsed or been exhausted or.
Do they check for warrants when applying for a passport?
As part of the passport application process, you will be asked to answer questions about outstanding legal issues, including outstanding warrants. The Department of State can refuse a passport application if a person has: An outstanding warrant for a federal felony. An outstanding state or local warrant for a felony.
What reasons would stop you from getting a passport?
There are many reasons why you might not get passport, including: missing paperwork, errors in the application, valid warrants of arrest, or being on the passport denial list. Keep reading to discover the most common rejection reasons for passport photos, how to avoid them, and how to recover if you do make an error.
Can you go on a cruise if you owe back taxes?
If you owe the IRS, your travel plans could be put on hold. In cases of seriously delinquent back taxes, the IRS has the legal authority to ask the State Department to deny your passport application or revoke your current passport. Don't let tax debt ruin your travel plans.
How do I know if my passport is flagged?
Extended questioning can be a sign that you've been flagged for further inspection. Secondary Inspection: If you're directed to secondary inspection upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry, it could indicate that you've been flagged for additional scrutiny.
Can I get a passport if I owe back taxes?
The State Department will revoke your passport, or not issue you a new passport, if you owe a significant tax debt to the IRS. For this reason, taxpayers with tax debts and international travel plans should contact their CPA as soon as possible to resolve their tax debt and protect their passport.
Can you get a passport if you owe restitution?
U.S. citizens have a constitutional right to travel abroad. Having a felony conviction does not automatically disqualify someone from getting a passport. The State Department typically only denies passports for specific reasons like: Owing $2,500+ in child support.
Do you get a refund if your passport is denied?
We cannot refund the passport application fee and the execution fee. By law, we collect both fees and keep them even if a passport is not issued.
What do they check for a passport?
- Valid or expired, undamaged U.S. passport book or passport card.
- In-state, fully valid driver's license or enhanced driver's license with photo.
- Certificate of Naturalization.
- Certificate of Citizenship.
- Government employee ID (city, county, state, or federal)
Will the IRS stop you at the airport?
Between the statute's exceptions and the IRS's discretionary rules, many taxpayers will never qualify for certification for passport revocation. That means you have no reason to worry that they will stop you at the airport if you: Owe less than $51,000. Have a payment plan or settlement agreement with the IRS.
Can you leave the country if you owe money?
If you choose to move to a different country while you have debt in the U.S., nothing can stop you. However, you'll still be obligated to pay your debt no matter where you live. Your contract with the credit card companies and other creditors states that you must pay no matter the circumstances.
What is the 10 year passport rule?
This is known as the "10-year rule". To enter those countries now, your UK passport must: have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the EU country (the "date of issue") be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave (the "date of expiry")
What is a delinquent debt certification?
Debt certification confirms that referred debts are delinquent, valid, legally enforceable, have no legal bars to collection, and that the creditor agency has completed all requisite due process.