Family Code §17520
Driver's licenses and many professional licenses can be denied or suspended if the paying parent has fallen behind in support payments. Types of licenses affected are many and include: driver's licenses, teacher, contractor, truck driver, real estate, lawyer, medical, barber, cosmetologist, and others.
30 Days Behind - Denial of Application or Renewal: If a paying parent is more than one month behind in payments since the last order, the name and social security number is sent to state licensing agencies and boards. A current license will not be revoked but if a license, permit, certificate, or other authorization is applied for or comes up for renewal, the paying parent will only be issued a 150-day temporary license. The paying parent must then contact the child support agency and arrange for payment of the arrears. If no agreement is made, or the paying parent fails to live up to the agreement, the temporary license will expire and a permanent license will be denied.
120 Days Behind - License Suspension: If a paying parent becomes four months behind in payments since the last order, her/his license may be suspended even if it's not coming up for renewal. The paying parent will be notified that the license will be automatically suspended in 150 days unless he contacts the child support agency and arranges for payment of the arrears.
Failure to Comply With Agreement - License Suspension: If a paying parent has received a release of their license after making an agreement with the child support agency but fails to make the agreed payments, the child support agency will inform the licensing agency. The licensing agency will immediately notify the parent that her/his license will be automatically revoked in 30 days. The parent can only keep his license by entering into a new agreement for payment of the arrears with the child support agency.
Passport Denial: A Passport application or renewal can be denied for any paying parent who owes child support arrears. Due to recent policy changes at the State Department, please visit or contact your local child support agency for the latest information.
State Issued Licenses: Driver’s licenses and occupational licenses are automatically subject to submission for suspension if a non-custodial parent’s payment does not fully meet the monthly obligation for child support and/or arrears payments. Please verify which county has the hold on your license. This information is noted on the letter from the licensing agency. Only the county placing the hold can release it. Once you’ve verified the correct county, please call 1-866-901-3212 to discuss your situation with the representative.
