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Child Abductions

International Parental Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction came into force between the United States and the United Kingdom on July 1, 1988.  For in-depth information on the workings of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, visit the Department of State's International Parental Child Abduction Page.

What to do if your child has been abducted

From the United States to the United Kingdom:  If your child has been abducted from the United States to the United Kingdom, you should file an application with the U.S. Central Authority at: Application For Assistance Under the Hague Convention on Child Abduction (PDF - 60kb). For guidance and instructions on completing the application form, refer to the U.S. Central Authority's Hague Application Instructions.

From the United Kingdom to the United States:  If your child has been abducted from England or Wales to the United States, you should file an application with the UK Central Authority at: http://www.officialsolicitor.gov.uk/os/icacu.htm.  Residents of Scotland should file an application with the Central Authority for Scotland and residents of Northern Ireland, the Central Authority for N. Ireland. 

Child Custody Solicitors:  The Embassy maintains a list of solicitors who specialize in international child custody issues; for more information, please click on this link, Child Custody Solicitors, for a list of child custody solicitors in Scotland, please call the Consulate on 0131 556 8315.

Preventing Child Abduction

If you are a resident of the United Kingdom and fear that your U.S. citizen child might be taken abroad without your consent, the child’s name can be entered into the Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP) (PDF - 172kb).  Once your child's name is entered into the CPIAP, you will be informed if a passport application is submitted for the child.  

The request should include a completed and signed Request for Entry into Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program (PDF - 208kb), proof of your identity (copy of your passport or photo driver's license), and the child's birth certificate or other documentation that demonstrates your relationship to the child. 

Requests for entry of a child’s name into the CPIAP should be mailed or faxed to the Embassy or Consulate having jurisidiction over your place of residence:  

England & Wales

Special Consular Services
Attn: Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program
U.S. Embassy
24 Grosvenor Square
London W1A 2LQ
Fax: 020-7495-5012

Scotland

Consular Section
Attn: Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program
U.S. Consulate General
3 Regent Terrace
Edinburgh EH7 5BW
Fax: 0131 557 6023

Email: Edinburgh-Info@state.gov

Northern Ireland

Requests and, if relevant, court orders should be sent to:
American Citizen Services
Danesfort House
223 Stranmillis Road
Belfast BT9 5GR
Phone: [44] (0)28 9038 6104
Fax: [44] (0)28 9068 1301
Email:  consularbelfast@state.gov

Other Resources