U.S. Embassy Asuncion

1776 Mariscal Lopez Avenue
Asunción, Paraguay
Telephone: +(595)(21) 213-715
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(595)(21) 229-581
Fax: +(595)(21) 228-603
Email: ParaguayACS@state.gov

Paraguay 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 January 1, 2008.

For information concerning travel to Paraguay, 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 Paraguay.

The U.S. Department of State reports statistics and compliance information for individual countries in the Annual Report on International Child Abduction. The report is located here.

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 Paraguay.  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:

U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children's
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Website

The Paraguayan Central Authority for the Hague Abduction Convention is the Secretaría Nacional de la Niñez y la Adolescencia (SNNA). SNNA’s role 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:

Dirección de Restitución Internacional
Secretaría Nacional de la Niñez y la Adolescencia
Avenida Mariscal López Nº 1662 e/ Rodó y Bernardino Caballero
Asuncion, Paraguay
Telephone: 595 (21) 207 166 / 595 981 255 291
E-mail: restitucion.internacional.py@gmail.com
Website

To initiate a Hague case for return of, or access to, a child in Paraguay, the left-behind parent must submit a Hague application to the SNNA.  The USCA is available to answer questions about the Hague application process, to forward a completed application to the SNNA, and to subsequently monitor its progress through the foreign administrative and legal processes. 

There are not fees for filing Hague applications with either the United States or Paraguayan 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.

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 Paraguay.  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 Paraguay.  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 private attorney is not required in order to submit Hague Convention applications to a court in Paraguay. However, parents should consider hiring a private attorney to follow up on the case, to provide direct information to the court, and to generally advise as to the best course of action for their individual circumstances. A privately-hired attorney should contact the SNNA as soon as possible after the Hague Abduction Convention application has been filed. If a parent chooses to hire a private attorney, the SNNA will assist parents to find an attorney.  Parents may also represent themselves if they choose. 

The U.S. Embassy in Asuncion, Paraguay posts 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.

The Paraguayan Central Authority does not have a formal mediation process to resolve international parental child abduction cases.  However, the SNNA may discuss the possibility of voluntary return with the parties, which can result in an out-of-court resolution.