By Michelle Nesbit
USA Passports can be denied for a number of reasons. When a person applies for a passport, his or her name is checked against a central name check system for various reasons. The Passport Denial Program is part of the Federal Offset Program, designed to help government law enforcement agencies. We will look at the list of primary reasons most people are denied a U.S. passport.
You are being Investigated
If a federal or state agency has requested your name be put on the system, you will be denied, and your address is given to law enforcement. This can happen even if there is not an outstanding warrant or court order. They will need to provide the statutes you are being investigated under and their contact information.
Child Support Payments
Part of the Federal Offset Program includes non-custodial parents that have child support amounts that exceed $2,500 as of October 2006. Even though you may fall below that amount does not mean you will be automatically removed from the list, so you may still be denied and can be subject to having your U.S. passport revoked if you already have one.
Probation or Parolees:
Just because you are a convicted felon does not mean you won't be issued a U.S passport unless your probation and parole forbids it. The other thing to keep in mind is that many countries do not allow convicted felons entry, even with a passport. There is one type of felony that will prevent you from getting a passport--treason, attempting to overthrow or bear arms against the United States government.
Arrest Warrants
If you have a pending state or federal arrest warrant, you will be denied, whether on the name checklist or not. Chances are it will come up during this process, however.
Drug Traffickers
You will be denied if you have crossed an international border to commit a felony drug offense. Sometimes, even a misdemeanor drug trafficking offense will result in a denial of your U.S. passport.
Loans from the United States
You will be denied a U.S. passport if you are in default on a loan received from the United States for the repatriation of the applicant or his or her immediately family if from a foreign country.
Incompetency
If you have been ruled legally incompetent in a United States jurisdiction, you may be denied a U.S. passport.
Threat to National Security
If the United States feels you have information that could put national security in jeopardy in a foreign country, it may deny your application for foreign travel and a U.S. passport.
Minor Children
A U.S. passport can be denied for minor children upon the discretion of the Department of State.
Subject to Extradition
If you are subject to a pending extradition to a foreign country, you will be denied a U.S. passport.
About the Author:
Michelle Nesbit started her writing career in 1999, when she wrote "The Title Searcher's Handbook." Nesbit has written for The Chattanoogan, Healthmad and several clients who secure her services as a ghostwriter. Nesbit's background includes licenses in Insurance, certification as a Rescue and Technical Scuba Diver, Underwater Photographer, and a clinical hypnotherapist. Nesbit is currently completing studies as a clinical nutritionist.
