International Parental Child Abduction Worldwide Caution: The Department of State advises Americans worldwide, and especially in the Middle East, to exercise increased caution. Americans in the Middle East: Americans in the Middle East should follow the latest guidance from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and can contact the U.S. Department of State to receive information or assistance. Travel Advisories Newsroom Careers MyTravelGov Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates Travel.State.Gov Travel.State.Gov Congressional Liaison Special Issuance Agency U.S. Passports International Travel U.S. Visas Intercountry Adoption International Parental Child Abduction Records and Authentications Popular Links Travel Advisories Newsroom Careers MyTravelGov Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates Stay Connected Legal Resources Legal Information Info for U.S. Law Enforcement Travel.State.Gov International Parental Child Abduction Congressional Liaison Special Issuance Agency Legal Resources U.S. Passports International Travel U.S. Visas Intercountry Adoption International Parental Child Abduction Replace or Certify Documents International Parental Child Abduction International Parental Child Abduction Prevention Abductions Destination Information Legal Information Travel.State.Gov International Parental Child Abduction International Parental Child Abduction International Parental Child Abduction International parental child abduction is when a child is removed from or retained outside of their country of habitual residence, and the removal or retention violates another parent or guardian’s custody rights. The Department of State’s Office of Children’s Issues is a leader in U.S. government efforts to prevent international parental child abduction . This includes abductions both from the United States and to the United States. The Office of Children’s Issues helps children and families in abduction cases. It also promotes the goals of the Hague Abduction Convention If you believe your child is in the process of being abducted by a parent, legal guardian, or someone acting on their behalf, contact us: 1-888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444 or by e-mail at PreventAbduction1@state.gov Preventing Abduction Prevention Tips on International Parental Child Abduction Immediate Steps You Can Take to Prevent Abduction Learn about your destination File a Hague Application CHILD ABDUCTION FAQ Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program Be alerted before a passport is issued or renewed for your child Abduction Reports and Data External Link You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message. You are about to visit: GO Travel.State.Gov Travel.State.Gov Congressional Liaison Special Issuance Agency U.S. Passports International Travel U.S. Visas Intercountry Adoption International Parental Child Abduction Records and Authentications Popular Links Travel Advisories Newsroom Careers MyTravelGov Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates Stay Connected Legal Resources Legal Information Info for U.S. Law Enforcement Copyright & Disclaimer FOIA GSA No FEAR Act Data Office of the Inspector General USA.gov USA.gov/espanol This site is managed by the U.S. Department of State. External links to other Internet sites and listings of private entities on this page are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as the U.S. Department of State or U.S. government endorsement of the entity, its views, the products or services it provides, or the accuracy of information contained therein. The order in which names appear has no significance, and the listings or links may be removed at any time at the discretion of the Department.