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05/06/2008 - The Department Delivers the 2008 Compliance Report to Congress

On May 6, 2008 the Department delivered to Congress the 2008 Report on Compliance with the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. The Secretary of State is required by U.S. law to report annually to Congress on compliance with the Hague Abduction Convention by states party to the Convention (the specific legal requirements can be found at 42 USC § 11611). The report just released covers the period from October 1, 2006 through September 30, 2007. It focuses on countries that have demonstrated significant problems in processing convention applications for the return of children to the United States in a manner consistent with the Convention.

02/07/2008 - Office of Children’s Issues to Handle Incoming Hague Abduction Convention Cases Beginning April 1, 2008

Beginning April 1, 2008, the Office of Children’s Issues will assume the handling of all “incoming” cases under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of Parental Child Abduction – that is, abductions of children from foreign countries to the United States. Incoming cases were previously handled by the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The Department of State has greatly appreciated the excellent service that NCMEC has provided in these cases to parents and children. The Office of Children’s Issues aims to continue this high level of service.

Effective April 1, 2008, parents in Convention countries whose children have been wrongfully removed to the United States—or wrongfully retained in the United States—should file an application for return or access with our office. Contact our office for more information.

02/01/2008 - Law Modified that Requires the Signature of Both Parents Prior to Issuance of a U.S. Passport to Children

Effective February 1, 2008, passport applicants who are U.S. citizen minors under the age of 16 must appear personally with both parents, or legal guardians, to establish consent of both parents to issuance of a passport, as well as identity, proof of citizenship, and proof of relationship.  Previously this rule applied only to children under the age of 14.  For more information about how to apply for a U.S. passport for children under the age of 16, please view this fact sheet

01/01/2008 - The Convention Enters into Force with Five Additional Countries: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Paraguay, San Marino, and Sri Lanka

On January 1, 2008, the 1980 Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction entered into force between the United States and Costa Rica, Guatemala, Paraguay, San Marino, and Sri Lanka.  The United States now partners with 68 countries under the Convention.  The Convention will not apply to parental child abduction cases between the U.S. and these countries that took place prior to January 1, 2008.  Wrongful retentions or removals that occurred after January 1, 2008 may qualify to be Hague Abduction Convention cases. 

09/01/2007 - Ukraine Becomes the Newest Convention partner

The Department of State recently announced that it would accept the accession of Ukraine to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.  Ukraine becomes the 63rd country that is partner to the Convention with the United States.  The Convention entered into force between the United States and Ukraine on September 1, 2007.  Parents whose children have been wrongfully removed/retained between the United States and Ukraine on or after that date will be able to file a Hague application for return of their child (as long as all the Convention requirements are met).

06/01/2007 - The Convention Enters Into Force with the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Peru

On June 1, 2007, the 1980 Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction entered into force between the United States and the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Peru.  They become the 60th, 61st, and 62nd countries that the United States partners with under the Convention.  The Convention will not apply to parental child abduction cases between the U.S. and these countries that took place prior to June 1, 2007.  Wrongful retentions or removals that occurred after June 1 may qualify to be Hague Abduction Convention cases. 

05/02/2007 - The Department Delivers the 2007 Compliance Report to Congress

On May 2, 2007 the Department forwarded to Congress the 2007 Report on Compliance with the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.  The Secretary of State is required by U.S. law to report annually to Congress on compliance with the Hague Abduction Convention by states party to the Convention (the specific legal requirements can be found at 42 USC § 11611).  The report just released covers the period from October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2006.  It focuses on countries that have demonstrated significant problems in processing convention applications for the return of children to the United States in a manner consistent with the Convention.

05/01/2007 - The United States Accepts Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania as Convention Partners  

The Department of State recently informed the Hague Permanent Bureau that it is accepting the respective accessions of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to the 1980 Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.  The Convention enters into force between the United States and each of the three nations on May 1, 2007.  With the acceptance of the three Baltic States, the United States now partners with 59 countries under the Hague Abduction Convention.

03/01/2007 - Montenegro Succeeds to the Hague Abduction Convention

On March 1, 2007, Montenegro became the 67th Member of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.  On this same date, Montenegro also succeeded to various Hague Conventions to which the former Serbia and Montenegro was already a Party, including the 1980 Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.  Since the Convention was already in force between the United States and the former Serbia and Montenegro (as it had been with the former Republic of Yugoslavia) the Convention is in force between the U.S. and Montenegro.  Montenegro becomes the 56th country that is party to the Convention with the United States.