International Parental Child Abduction

Parental child abduction is a federal crime. It is also a tragedy that jeopardizes children and has substantial long-term consequences for the “left-behind” parent, the child, the family, and society. Children who are abducted by their parents are often suddenly isolated from their extended families, friends, and classmates. They are at risk of serious emotional and psychological problems. Similarly, left-behind parents experience a wide range of emotions including betrayal, loss, anger, and depression. In international cases, they often face unfamiliar legal, cultural, and linguistic barriers that compound these emotions.

What to do if your child has been abducted

From the United States to Albania: If your child has been abducted from the United States to Albania, you should file an application with the U.S. Central Authority at:

United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children's Issues
SA-29, 2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
Phone: 1-888-407-4747; 202-501-4444
E-mail: AskCI@state.gov

(This contact information was last updated on 10 October 2010)

From Albania to the United States: If your child has been abducted from Albania to the United States, you should file an application with the Albanian Central Authority at:

Ministry of Justice
Blvd. Zogu I
Tirana, Albania
Tel: +355-(0)4-225-9388, Ext. 71179
Cell: +355-(0)67-206-7335
Contact person: Mimoza Selenica
Chief of the Department of Juvenile and Family Law
General Directorate of Codification
E-mail: mimoza.selenica@justice.gov.al
Web: http://www.justice.gov.al/

(This contact information was last updated on 18 February 2011)