Deciding whether to file a Hague application is an important decision and must be considered based on each case’s specific circumstances. Discuss with the country officer assigned to your child’s case what is needed to file a Hague application and what other options are available. Please note that the country officer cannot provide you with legal advice. You are encouraged to speak to an attorney about your Hague application and other issues before taking any action on your child’s case.
NOTE: Submit a Hague application as soon as possible after an abduction or wrongful retention has taken place. If more than one year passes before you file a Hague application, it may be more difficult to have your child returned under the Hague Abduction Convention. You do not need to have a custody order to file a Hague application and you should not wait for a custody order before filing. Any delays in filing could affect the outcome of the case.
Find out if the Hague Abduction Convention is an option for your child's case by contacting a country officer.
You may be able to file because is a Hague Convention partner with the United States and your child is under 16 years old. To determine whether the U.S. Central Authority will accept your application, please contact your country officer to discuss your case.
The U.S. Central Authority will not accept a Hague application. While is a Hague Convention partner, your child is over 16 years old. Please contact the country officer assigned to your child's case to discuss available options.
The U.S. Central Authority will not accept a Hague application because is not a Hague Convention partner with the United States. Please contact a country officer to discuss options that may be available in your case. It is also always best to discuss your case with an attorney prior to taking any actions.
Contact your country officer to discuss whether the U.S. Central Authority will accept a Hague application in your child's case, and what other options may be available. Additionally, since your country officer cannot provide legal advice, you are strongly encouraged to consult an attorney before taking any actions on your child's case.
1-888-407-4747 from the U.S. & Canada
1-202-501-4444 from abroad
Hablamos español. Llamenos para obtener ayuda.
Note: To file a Hague application, you must:
Explore Your Legal Options
If filing a Hague application is not available to you, other actions you may consider, in consultation with an attorney, include:
Contact a country officer to discuss options that may be available to you in your child's case. You should also speak with an attorney prior to taking any actions on your child's case.
1-888-407-4747 from the U.S. & Canada
1-202-501-4444 from abroad
The Hague application form is available in English and Spanish. You can either print a blank form to fill out by hand or fill it out online and then print it.
View additional guidance on how to complete the application form
Download Hague Application in ENGLISH
Along with your application form, you'll need to submit supporting documentation. Check with your country officer for any additional or specific requirements, which vary by country.
Before submitting your application, we recommend you consult with an attorney to confirm that your application is complete.
1-888-407-4747 from the U.S. & Canada
1-202-501-4444 from abroad
Hablamos español. Llamenos para obtener ayuda.
Submit your completed application to the U.S. Central Authority using a service with mail tracking options to:
U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children's Issues
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20522-1709
If you have access to email, please scan and email your application to your country officer.
Note: Be sure to sign and date your application form.
The country officer assigned to your child's case will review your application to ensure that it is complete before forwarding it to the foreign Central Authority.
Stay in frequent contact with the country officer responsible for cases involving the country where your child is located and let our office know if your contact information changes so that we may reach you as your application is processed.
Contact us if your contact information changes.
Once the U.S. Central Authority receives your Hague application and determines that it is complete and meets the requirements for acceptance, it will be transmitted to the foreign Central Authority. That foreign Central Authority is responsible for processing your application. Operations and procedures vary by country. Your country officer, who is experienced with the procedures in the country where your child is located, is available to help you understand the process and will provide updates to you as your child's case progresses through the foreign legal system. However, keep in mind that a country officer cannot provide you with legal advice. It is best to speak with an attorney before taking any action on your child's case.
When a taking parent learns that a Hague application has been or will be filed, he or she may return the child voluntarily to avoid further civil action under the Convention. The taking parent may also be open to mediation. Many Hague cases do go to trial. Some countries may require that you retain an attorney in the country where your child is located. In other countries, the foreign Central Authority is responsible for filing the case in court and may not be able to do so if you retain a private attorney in that country. However, if the foreign Central Authority files the case in court, it may only represent the Hague application, and therefore the foreign Central Authority may not represent your interests. For country-specific details on retaining an attorney and the role of the Central Authority, please contact the country officer assigned to your child's case. Please note that country officers and U.S. Government officials, including Embassy employees, are not able to act as an agent or attorney in legal proceedings.
If the taking parent does not voluntarily agree to return your child, you may want to attend a legal proceeding in the foreign court about your application for return. For this reason, it is a good idea to make sure that you have a valid passport and visa (if necessary) during this process so that you are able to quickly travel to the foreign country if it becomes necessary.
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