GamTrak wrote:
I know that if you owe Uncle Sam any funds at any level (student loans, child support, taxes, etc) that they will not issue a passport until the debt is paid.
This is a bit of a misnomer…
If you have any criminal activity which you’re under investigation for or are charged with, then yes, you will not receive your passport. Typically, unpaid student loans and unpaid taxes won’t fall into this category.
On the other hand, if you owe extensive back child support or are under the microscope for tax evasion, both instances are criminal…so no, you will have zero hope of getting a passport.
I only know this because I was a bit panicked several years ago when I was applying for my passport. At the time, I was going through a dispute regarding my student loans, in which the IRS was brought in (since, resolved!). There was nothing that rose to criminal and I’ve been a happy traveler ever since. :woohoo: