On May 7th, 2026, the Department of State (DOS) announced that it would deny or revoke the passports of anyone who owed $2500 or more in child support payments. This sudden shift in policy is being done in the name of children and families, but it only serves to punish parents who cannot afford to pay, a move that disproportionately impacts low-income families. As a nonprofit law firm that defends clients in family court, we know firsthand that parents are not willfully, as the DOS claims, “neglecting their legal and moral obligations.” These are people often living paycheck to paycheck, whose budgets can fall apart when faced with sudden expenses like medical bills or car repairs.
This shift in policy is not about compliance with the law or protecting children, it is about criminalizing poverty. It is also a clear step to test the waters to see what other reasons they can manufacture to suspend someone’s right to a passport. The reality is, this policy impacts you whether or not you have ever owed child support, or even have children.
The move to revoke and deny people’s passports is particularly sinister at a time when ICE is terrorizing Black and brown neighborhoods in cities across the U.S. and demanding that people prove their citizenship by carrying documentation with them at all times. We also know that this policy will negatively impact people’s ability to vote if and when voter ID is implemented. The government should not be making access to these vital documents more difficult for people than it already is.
If you are concerned this policy may affect your passport, we recommend contacting your local Friend of the Court as soon as possible to confirm the status of your case, whether any arrears have been reported, and what options may exist for a payment plan, modification, or correction. Local courts and child support agencies are the entities reporting arrears to state and federal agencies, so they are the best place to get the most up-to-date information about your case. Where possible, ask for written confirmation of your status and any next steps.
Take action: Contact your local Friend of the Court if you may be impacted, and call on federal and state officials to end passport denial and revocation for child support debt. Debt collection should never be used to restrict a person’s movement, threaten their documentation, or push families deeper into poverty. We need policies that support children by stabilizing families, not punishing parents for being unable to pay.
Accessing Your Friend of the Court (FOC) case
You may access information about your Friend of the Court case in several ways:
- FOC Call Center: Call 844-785-7593. The Call Center offers a courtesy callback feature so you can keep your place in line and receive a return call when it is your turn.
- TTY Service: Dial 7-1-1 to be connected to a Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Assistant
- Payment Information Only” Call the Michigan State Disbursement Unit (MiSDU) at 877-544-2660.
- Online Case Access: Register for MiChildSupport at www.michigan.gov/michildsupport to view case information.
- Virtual Appointments: Schedule a virtual appointment with an FOC customer service representative at https://thirdjudicialcircuitofmichigan.setmore.com/. Appointments are available Wednesday and Fridays. A current web browser is required; Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge are recommended.
- In-Person Customer Service: Visit the Friend of the Court Customer Service lobby at the Penobscot Building. Walk-in service is available Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (you must be in line by 4:15 p.m.) Masks are recommended and available upon request.
- Attorneys: Attorneys may leave a voicemail at 313-224-5295 or focattorneyline@3rdcc.org.