The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Overseas Citizens Services, views the protection of children as one of our highest priorities. Overseas Citizens Services is actively engaged in the many matters relating to children and families as they cross international borders. The Office of Children's Issues, a division within Overseas Citizens Services, provides specific services to parents in intercountry adoption and international family abductions.

We are fully committed to protecting the welfare and interests of children, our most vulnerable citizens, and their parents. For more information about how Overseas Citizens Services can help you, please follow the links below.

Adoption

Intercountry Adoption

Adopting from another country

International Parental Child Abduction

International Parental Child Abduction

Guarding against & responding
to parental child abduction

Child Support Enforcement

Child Support

Collecting child support from overseas

Child Abuse, Neglect, & Exploitation

Child Abuse, Neglect, & Exploitation

Responding to crimes against children