International Parental Child Abduction Norway
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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.
March 2013
Norway 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 April 1, 1989.
For information concerning travel to Norway, 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 Norway.
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 Norway. 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: http://travel.state.gov/
Email: AskCI@state.gov
The Norwegian Central Authority (NCA) for the Hague Abduction Convention is the Ministry of Justice and Police (MOJ). Immediately upon receiving an application from the central authority of another contracting state, the MOJ will review the application to ensure that it meets the conditions of the Hague Abduction Convention and that the required documents are enclosed. Being an administrative authority, the MOJ cannot make a decision on whether the child should be returned or not. This jurisdiction belongs entirely to the courts. The NCA can be reached at:
Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police
Department of Civil Affairs
Postboks 8005 dep
0030 OSLO
Norway
Telephone number: +47 2224 5451
Telefax number: +47 2224 2722
E-mail: postmottak@jd.dep.no
To initiate a Hague case for return of, or access to, a child in Norway, the USCA encourages a parent or legal guardian to review the eligibility criteria and instructions for completing the Hague application form located at the Department of State’s website and contact the Department of State for assistance prior to initiating the Hague process directly with the NCA. The USCA is available to answer questions about the Hague application process, to forward a completed application to the NCA, and to subsequently monitor its progress through the foreign administrative and legal processes.
There are no fees for filing Hague applications with either the U.S. or Norwegian central authorities. Norway offers legal assistance for eligible applicant parents covering the costs of legal fees, court costs, translations and interpreters, and service of documents. Additional costs may include airplane tickets for court appearances and for the return of the child, if so ordered.
A 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, Norway. 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 Norway. 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.
The Norwegian Central Authority will represent the petitioning parent in the Norwegian court. Retaining a private attorney is not required for filing a Hague case in Norway. If a parent or legal guardian elects to hire a private attorney in Norway, the attorney should contact the NCA as soon as possible. The U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Norway, posts a list of attorneys including those who specialize in family law
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 following persons or firms. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers..
Mediation services can be provided by the courts under the supervision of the judge. Mediation can also be sought outside of the court through the Family Counseling Service of the Directorate of Children, Youth, and Family Affairs. There are no costs associated with these services, though the cost for outside legal counsel must be paid by the party employing them.
The U.S. Embassy in Norway can be contacted at:
U.S. Embassy Norway
Henrik Ibsens, gate 48
0244
Oslo, Norway
Telephone: (47) 21 30 85 40
Telefax: (47) 22 56 27 51
E-mail: osloamcit@state.gov
Website: http://norway.usembassy.gov/index.html
The Embassy of Norway is located in Washington, D.C. at:
2720 34th Street NW
Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: (202) 333-6000
Telefax: (202) 469-3990
E-mail: emb.washington@mfa.no
Website: http://www.norway.org/Embassy/washington/
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