Regulations last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

Title 22 - Foreign Relations last revised: Oct 28, 2024
§ 94.7 - Procedures for children abducted from the United States.

Upon receipt of an application requesting access to a child or return of a child abducted from the United States and taken to another country party to the Convention, the U.S. Central Authority shall—

(a) Review and forward the application to the Central Authority of the country where the child is believed located or provide the applicant with the necessary form, instructions, and the name and address of the appropriate Central Authority for transmittal of the application directly by the applicant;

(b) Upon request, transmit to the foreign Central Authority requests for a report on the status of any court action when no decision has been reached by the end of six weeks;

(c) Upon request, facilitate efforts to obtain from appropriate U.S. state authorities and transmit to the foreign Central Authority information regarding the laws of the child's state of habitual residence;

(d) Upon request, facilitate efforts to obtain from appropriate U.S. state authorities and transmit to the foreign Central Authority a statement as to the wrongfulness of the taking of the child under the laws of the child's state of habitual residence;

(e) Upon request, facilitate efforts to obtain from appropriate U.S. state authorities and transmit to the foreign Central Authority information relating to the social background of the child;

(f) Upon request, be available to facilitate possible arrangements for temporary foster care and/or travel for the child from the foreign country to the United States;

(g) Monitor all cases in which assistance has been sought; and

(h) Perform such additional functions as the Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs may from time to time direct.

authority: Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction; the federal “International Child Abduction Remedies Act,” Pub. L. 100-300
source: 53 FR 23608, June 23, 1988, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 22 CFR 94.7