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International Parental Child Abduction

My spouse and I are getting divorced, and I don’t want my child traveling overseas without me knowing. What can I do?

The Office of Children’s Issues is available to answer your questions regarding preventing and resolving international parental child abductions during regular business hours (8:15 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET). This office is the U.S. Central Authority for the Hague Abduction Convention. Please contact them at any time at the number below to report an Abduction in Progress.

By Phone
1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S. and Canada)
+ 1 202-501-4444 (from outside the United States)

By Email
Questions regarding preventing international parental child abductions: PreventAbduction1@state.gov
For general abduction questions: AbductionQuestions@state.gov

Please visit the Embassy website at https://ca.usembassy.gov/ . Under U.S. Citizen Services, select “International Parental Child Abduction” for more information.

Additional information is available at the Department of State’s website https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html , select “International Parental Child Abduction”.

My spouse is taking (has taken) our child without my permission, what can I do?

Contact your local police to report a crime in progress.

The Office of Children’s Issues is available to answer your questions regarding preventing and resolving international parental child abductions during regular business hours (8:15 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET). This office is the U.S. Central Authority for the Hague Abduction Convention. Please contact them at any time at the number below to report an Abduction in Progress.

By Phone
1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S. and Canada)
+ 1 202-501-4444 (from outside the United States)

By Email
Questions regarding preventing international parental child abductions: PreventAbduction1@state.gov
For general abduction questions: AbductionQuestions@state.gov

Please visit the Embassy website at https://ca.usembassy.gov/ . Under U.S. Citizen Services, select “International Parental Child Abduction” for more information.

Additional information is available at the Department of State’s website https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html , select “International Parental Child Abduction”.

If you would like to speak to someone directly regarding the abduction of a U.S. citizen child in Canada, call the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate:

Calgary: 403-266-8962, press “0” for immediate assistance

Halifax: 902-429-2480

Montreal: 514-398-9695

Ottawa: 613-238-5335

Québec City: 418-692-2095

Toronto: 416-649-2344

Vancouver: 604-685-4311