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: Enroll a child in the Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program. We will alert you 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 one 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.
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 our system, follow the steps on the Passport Information for Law Enforcement page.
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 the Passport Information for Law Enforcement page.
