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. You will need to be prepared to make a payment on the amount overdue on your case.
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 reach out to the agency handling your case if you are having trouble making payments. Make sure you contact us right away so we can help you avoid license suspension, passport denial, and financial actions.
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 various 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 specific to your situation. 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 the child support agency handling your case and they can assist you.
Bank Levies, Tax Intercepts, Etc.
Federal and State law also allow for Financial actions to be taken when child support is overdue, such as intercepting tax refunds, seizing bank assets, and placing liens on homes or other property. If you have trouble making payments, talk to the agency handling your case right away – it is our job to help parents succeed with their child support responsibilities.
Learn more about child support liens on our Frequently Asked Questions page.