International Abduction (Hague Convention cases)

Parental kidnapping poses an increasing problem, as the kidnapping parent may take the child to a country outside the United States. To help combat this problem, the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction was adopted in 1980. The Convention reflects the Hague Conference view that international child abduction is a global problem in need of a coordinated international response.

The Hague Convention is now in force in 48 countries around the world. For a list of participating countries, please visit http://state.gov.

The Hague Convention is a civil legal mechanism available to parents seeking the return of, or access to, their child who has been wrongfully taken to another country. As a civil law mechanism, the parents, not the governments, are parties to the legal action.

The countries that are party to the Convention have agreed that a child who is habitually resident in one country, and who has been removed to or retained by the other parent, relative, or third party in another country in violation of the left-behind parent's custodial rights, shall be promptly returned to the country of habitual residence.

The Convention can also assist parents attempting to exercise visitation rights abroad. GWH has successfully handled many international Hague Convention actions.

Please visit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for more information about the Hague Convention.