U.S. Citizen Services in Germany
Child and Family Matters
International Parental Child Abductions
Parental child abduction is a tragedy. When a child is abducted across international borders, the difficulties are compounded for everyone involved.
The Department of State considers international parental child abduction, as well as the welfare and protection of U.S. citizen children taken overseas, to be important, serious matters. We place the highest priority on the welfare of children who have been victimized by international abductions.
The Department of State's Office of Children's Issues (CA/OCS/CI) is designated to provide assistance to the left-behind parents of international parental child abduction:
- Office of Children's Issues
Toll Free Phone from within the U.S.: 1-888-407-4747 (8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)
Phone: (202) 736-9090
Adoption Office Fax: (202) 736-9080
Abduction Office Fax: (202) 736-9133 - To contact us by e-mail:
For international parental child abduction and adoption country-specific information:AskCI@state.gov.
Please refer to the country specific flyer for Germany if your child has been abducted to Germany.
The contact information for the German Central Authority is:
- Bundesamt für Justiz
-Zentrale Behörde -
Adenauerallee 99-103
53113 Bonn
Tel: +49-228-99-410 - 40
Fax:+49-228-99-410-5401 - E-mail: int.sorgerecht@bfj.bund.de
If the taking parent is not willing to return the child voluntarily, the German Central Authority can appoint an attorney to represent the left-behind parent in court hearings. These attorneys often have prior experience with Hague cases and generally have good command of the English language.
A list of lawyers specializingi in Custody Issues can be found here (pdf)
Alternatively, parents may, if they desire, retain private German legal counsel and have their Hague application handled by their chosen attorney. Payment arrangements would then be made directly with your attorney. In these cases, it is important to let the USCA (U.S. Central Authority) and the GCA (German Central Authority) know of this decision.
If you are not certain which consular district is responsible in your case, please refer to
U.S. Citizen Services in Germany -Which Consulate Serves Your Area?
For more details please refer to the International Parental Child Abduction homepage on http://www.travel.state.gov/ .
