International Parental Child Abduction Belize
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DISCLAIMER: The information in this flyer is provided for general information only, is not intended to be legal advice, and may change
without notice. Questions involving interpretation of law should be addressed to an attorney licensed to practice in the relevant
jurisdiction.
January 2013
Belize and the United States have been treaty partners under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention) since November 1, 1989.
For information concerning travel to Belize, including information about the location of the U.S. Embassy, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, entry/exit requirements, safety and security, crime, medical facilities and health information, traffic safety, road conditions and aviation safety, please see country-specific information for Belize.
The U.S. Department of State serves as the U.S. Central Authority (USCA) for the Hague Abduction Convention. In this capacity, the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Children’s Issues facilitates the submission of applications under the Hague Abduction Convention for the return of, or access to, children located in countries that are U.S. treaty partners, including Belize. Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance prior to initiating the Hague process directly with the foreign central authority.
Contact information:
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children’s Issues
2201 C Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20520
Telephone: 1-888-407-4747
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444
Fax: 202-736-9132
Website: travel.state.gov
The Belize Central Authority for the Hague Abduction Convention is the Ministry of Human Development and Social Transformation. The role of the Ministry of Human Development and Social Transformation is to perform the duties given to central authorities under the Hague Abduction Convention, including processing Hague Abduction Convention applications for return of and access to children. They can be reached at:
Ministry of Human Development and Social Transformation
West Block, Independence Hill
Belmopan
Telephone: 501-822-2161 or 501-822-2684
E-mail: secretary@humandev.gov.bz
Website: Ministry of Human Development and Social Transformation
To initiate a Hague case for return of, or access to, a child in Belize, the left-behind parent must submit a Hague application to the Ministry of Human Development and Social Transformation. The USCA is available to answer questions about the Hague application process, to forward a completed application to the Ministry of Human Development and Social Transformation and to subsequently monitor its progress through the foreign administrative and legal processes.
There are no fees for filing Hague applications with either the United States or Belize central authorities. Attorney fees, if necessary, are the sole responsibility of the person hiring the attorney. Additional costs may include airplane tickets for court appearances and for the return of the child, if so ordered.
Back to TopA parent or legal guardian may file an application under the Hague Abduction Convention for return to the United States of a child abducted to, or wrongfully retained in Belize. The U.S. Department of State can assist parents living in the United States to understand whether the Convention is an available civil remedy and can provide information on the process for submitting a Hague application.
A person may file an application under the Hague Abduction Convention for access to a child living in Belize. The criteria
for acceptance of a Hague access application vary from country to country. The U.S. Department of State can assist parents
living in the United States to understand country-specific criteria and provide information on the process for submitting
a Hague application.
Retaining a local private attorney is required in Belize Hague Abduction Convention return cases if the LBP is not present in Belize. The case will not be filed in court if a LBP lives outside of Belize and does not hire an attorney. LBPs living in Belize may file a case in court without legal representation. Local attorneys are not provided by the Belize Central Authority, and the litigant in a Hague Abduction Convention case in Belize is responsible for all legal fees.
U.S. Embassy Belmopan maintains a list of attorneys who specialize in family law on their website: List of Attorneys
This list is provided as a courtesy service only and does not constitute an endorsement of any individual attorney. The Department
of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services
provided by, the persons or firms included in this list. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly
by the lawyers.
Mediation may be offered by the Family Court in Belize free of charge, but this service is limited to individuals with cases already being handled by the court. Parents interested in mediation outside of a court case should consult a local attorney.
The U.S. Embassy in Belize can be contacted at:
U.S. Embassy Belmopan
4 Floral Park Road
Belmopan, Cayo
Belize
Telephone: + (501) 822-4011
Fax: + (501) 822-4050
E-mail: ACSBelize@state.gov
Website: U.S. Embassy in Belize
The Embassy of Belize is located in Washington, D.C. at:
Embassy of Belize
2535 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington D.C., DC 20008
Telephone: (202) 332-9636
Embassy of Belize
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