International Parental Child Abduction

Both the United States and Finland has ratified The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. For in depth information on the workings of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction visit the State Department's International Parental Child Abduction Page.

My child has been abducted from the United States to Finland: If your child has been abducted from the United States to Finland you can obtain the U.S. Central Authority application form at Application For Assistance Under the Hague Convention on Child Abduction (PDF 140KB). For guidance and instructions on completing the application form refer to the Hague Convention - General Instructions page.

My child has been abducted from Finland to the United States: If your child has been abducted from Finland to the United States the Finnish Central Authority will provide information of what steps needs to be taken. Please see the Justice Department's website.

Preventing Child Abduction

Passport assistance to parents resident in Finland: If you are a resident of Finland and fear that your United States citizen child might be taken abroad by the other parent without the mutual consent of both parents, the child's name can be put in the U.S. passport name check system. Then, if an application is received, the requesting parent will be informed before issuance of the passport.

When there is a court order from a court of competent jurisdiction that prohibits the removal of the child from the jurisdiction of the court and/or the requesting party without prior consent, and the order is provided to the American Citizen Services Section, a U.S. passport may be denied.

Requests and, if relevant, court orders should be sent to:

American Embassy
Consular Section/American Citizen Services
Itainen Puistotie 14 B
00140 Helsinki
tel: +358-40-140-5957

Passport assistance to parents resident in the United States: For assistance and other sources of information, please visit the State Department International Parental Child Abduction site.