LICENSES & PASSPORTS
Releasing a License Suspension
If your driver’s, professional, or recreational license has been suspended, contact the child support agency handling your case. Working with the agency handling the case is the only way to get your license released, and you need to be prepared to make payment on the amount overdue on your case.
Enforcement actions to improve the effectiveness of a child support order are authorized by federal law. To stay on top of your child support payments, be sure to create a profile in Customer Connect where you can keep track of all of your support case information and email your caseworker if you are having trouble paying your support. Make sure you contact us right away so we can help you avoid enforcement actions like the ones below.
License Suspension
If you owe overdue child support, your driver’s, professional, and/or recreational (fishing, hunting, etc.) license can be suspended. If your payment is overdue by more than 30 days, a notice is automatically sent to several California licensing agencies. The first time, the California licensing agency will mail you a letter and you will have 150 days to respond, or your license will be suspended. If it happens again, they will mail another letter, and you have only 30 days to respond.
If you receive a letter from a California licensing agency, you should immediately contact the child support agency handling your case. They can help get your license released. Every case is different, so the requirements for the release will be determined on a case-by-case basis. It is a very good idea to keep your child support agency informed if you think you will have problems making your payments. There are programs available to help with this and talking to us is always the best thing to do.
Passport Denial
If your unpaid child support balance reaches $2,500, the U.S. State Department will not issue or renew your passport until your balance is paid in full. If you are notified that your passport application is denied, please contact your local child support office and they can assist you.
Bank Levies, Tax Intercepts, Etc.
Federal and state law allow for other enforcement actions as well – intercepting tax refunds, seizing bank assets, and placing liens on homes or other property are all possibilities when child support is unpaid. If you have trouble making payments, talk to your local child support office right away – it is our goal to help all parents succeed with their child support responsibilities.
Learn more about child support liens on our Frequently Asked Questions page.