The time it takes to get a passport in the U.S. is still something of a mess. Routine service turnaround time is officially 10-13 weeks, or 7-9 weeks for expedited service, not including mailing time back and forth. One study suggested that some states are hit harder by passport delays than others. Anecdotally, most people are reporting having to wait between 6 and 10 weeks to get their passport back, save for that one lucky duck who got hers back in 17 days (It’s me. That lucky duck was me. Here’s how I did it).
And the unfortunate thing is, not everyone who fills out a passport application will get a passport. It may be because the person has an “iffy” background or owes money. Or it could be as simple as not filling out the paperwork correctly.
Here are 10 reasons why you may be denied a passport:
Problem with the application
This is probably the most common reason for a passport application being denied. You may have forgotten to fill out one question. Or sent a passport photo that won’t work. If you forgot to sign somewhere, or your signatures aren’t the same, you may be denied a passport. Maybe you sent them payment for the wrong amount.
If you start over and do it right, you should be OK.
Child support payments
If you owe $2,500 or more in child support, you are not eligible to receive a U.S. passport. You’ll need to pay that overdue debt to the state child support enforcement agency first, before applying for your passport.
If you owe $2,500 or more in child support and have already applied for your passport, you’ll need to:
- Make arrangements to pay your child support arrears with the appropriate state child support enforcement agency.
- The state agency reports to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that you’ve made acceptable payment arrangements.
- HHS removes your name from their list and reports this to the State Department. This may take 2-3 weeks.
- The State Dep’t verifies that HHS removed your name.
- THEN they’ll process your passport application.
Minors without parental consent
In order to issue a U.S. passport to any minor child under the age of 16 (first time or renewal), U.S. law stipulates that all parents listed on the child’s birth certificate must provide written consent.
If only one parent is applying, you must provide either a birth certificate listing you as the sole parent, a death certificate of the other parent, or a court order that lists you as having sole physical and legal custody of the child. Otherwise, the other parent must also give written consent.
If you’re serving time
No one is able to get a passport while in jail, on probation or in a halfway house.
Certain felony convictions
Outstanding federal loans
If you owe back taxes
If you’re considered a threat to National security
If the government doesn’t trust you and thinks they need to keep an eye on you, they’re not going to issue you a passport. So if you’re a serial killer, have previous escape charges, bucked on bail or fail to appear and time not served, you’re not going to get a passport.
If you’ve ever gotten a passport under fraudulent circumstances
If you got a passport fraudulently one time, they’re not going to give you one.
If you have a court order to not leave the country
Think about it – if a government entity doesn’t want you to leave the country, they’re not going to give you a document that will allow you to leave the country. 😉
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