) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Passport Information for Judges and Lawyers
Find information for judges and lawyers about passports, including how to delay or revoke a passport to prevent child abduction.
How to protect children under age 18
Surrendering passports
State courts can order a parent or guardian to surrender a child's passport. The court may hold the passport to prevent the child's abduction to another country.
Preventing child abduction
A parent who has a legal relationship with a child can enroll the child in the Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program. We will alert the parent if the child has a U.S. passport application, or if the child received a U.S. passport. If a court gives sole custody to 1 parent, or restricts the child’s travel, we will deny the passport application.
Getting records
Both parents or guardians can get information about their child's passport status and get copies of a child’s application. Both parents and guardians can get this information unless a court takes away their parental rights.
Ways we support law enforcement agencies in abduction cases
Sharing information about a fugitive
Law enforcement agencies can inform us of an adult who has a warrant for child abduction or is a fugitive. To enter the adult's name in the system, follow the steps on Passport Information for Law Enforcement.
Revoking a U.S. passport
When we inform a foreign country that we revoked the passport of a U.S. citizen in their custody, the foreign country will deport the person. Revoking a passport helps ensure a parent will return to the United States with their child. To submit a request for revoking a passport, follow the steps on Passport Information for Law Enforcement.
How judges can request an adult's passport information
We may release information about a person ordered to surrender their U.S. passport. To submit a request, use this sample letter and mail it to this address on official letterhead:
U.S. Department of State
Office of Adjudication (CA/PPT/S/A)
44132 Mercure Cir PO Box 1243
Sterling, VA 20166-1243
After receiving the request, we will:
- Release information about the person’s passport status and inform the judge if that person applies for a new passport.
- Not deny a passport, but notify the judge so they can invoke state civil contempt sanctions based on the information.
- Delay issuing a passport for a short period of time if asked to do so by the court. This period is generally 10 days and can prevent a parent’s use of a passport in international child abduction cases.