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International Parental Child Abduction > Abductions > Who Can Help Locate Your Child
If you believe your child is a victim of international parental abduction, many organizations can help you locate your child. Please have the following information available:
The following organizations may be able to help locate your child:
State and Local Law Enforcement
Local law enforcement officials may be able to help you locate missing children. Contact your local city, county, or state agency for information about your options and how they can help.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
The FBI has field offices across the country. These field offices are the main points of contact to request help locating missing children. Consider contacting law enforcement resources in your state.
International Police
INTERPOL is an international law enforcement organization that can help locate your child. INTERPOL can publish a Yellow Notice. This alerts INTERPOL if your child lawfully enters a participating country. Additionally, if there are state or federal warrants for the taking parent, INTERPOL can issue other notices. Ask your local police or the FBI to contact INTERPOL for more information.
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
NCMEC offers parents resources and help depending on your situation. Please contact them at 1-800-843-5678 for more details.
Office of Children’s Issues and Foreign Central Authorities
Central Authorities, including the Office of Children's Issues, help locate abducted children. They usually start location efforts based on the information you provide in your application. In certain situations, we may be able to locate children outside of the United States. We may also be able to help you communicate with the organizations listed here.
U.S. Embassies and Consulates
In some cases parents are not able or do not want to submit a Convention application. In these cases our office can work with staff in a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in a foreign country. In turn, the U.S. Embassy or Consulate may be able to work with or connect parents with local government officials who may assist with locating abducted children.