U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
MARCH 1995:  OFFICE OF CHILDRENS ISSUES
BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS


                    OFFICE OF  CHILDRENS' ISSUES 
 
The Office of Children's Issues formulates, develops and coordinates 
policies and programs and provides direction to foreign service posts on 
international parental child abduction and international adoption.  It 
also fulfills U.S. treaty obligations relating to the abduction of 
children. 
 
INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION 
 
The Office of Children's Issues coordinates policy and provides 
information on international adoption to the public.  In 1994, U.S. 
citizens adopted over 8,000 foreign born children.  Because adoption is 
a private legal matter within the judicial sovereignty of the nation 
where the child resides, the Department of State cannot intervene on 
behalf of an individual U.S. citizen in foreign courts.  We offer 
general information and assistance regarding the adoption process in 
over 60 countries. 
 
WHAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT 
 
CAN DO: 
-  Provide information about international adoption in countries around 
the world 
 
-  Provide general information about U.S. visa requirements for 
international adoption 
 
-  Make inquiries of the U.S. consular section abroad regarding the 
status of a specific adoption case and clarify documentation or other 
requirements 
 
-  Ensure that U.S. citizens are not discriminated against by foreign 
authorities or courts 
 
CANNOT  DO: 
-  Become directly involved in the adoption process in another country 
 
-  Act as an attorney or represent adoptive parents in court 
 
-  Order that an adoption take place or that a visa be issued 
 
INTERNATIONAL  ABDUCTION 
 
Since the late 1970's, the Bureau of Consular Affairs has taken action 
in over 8,000 cases of international parental child abduction.  We also 
have provided information in response to thousands of additional 
inquiries pertaining to international child abduction, enforcement of 
visitation rights and abduction prevention techniques.  The Office of 
Children's Issues works closely with parents, attorneys, other 
government agencies and private organizations in the United States to 
prevent international abductions. 
 
Thirty-seven countries (including the United States) have joined the 
Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.  
The Convention discourages abduction as a means of resolving a custody 
matter, by requiring (with few exceptions) that the abducted child be 
returned to the country where he/she resided prior to the abduction.  In 
1994, this office received  over 800 applications under the Hague 
Convention.  About half involved children abducted from the United 
States to other countries. Most of the cases involved Canada, Mexico,  
Germany and the United Kingdom. There are still many countries, however, 
where the Hague Convention has not been accepted.  In 1994, the office 
handled the cases of more than 250 children abducted to non-Hague 
countries.  In the event of an abduction to a non-Hague country one 
option for a left-behind parent is to obtain legal assistance in the 
country of the abduction and follow through a court action.  Of non-
Hague countries, the largest number of cases involved children abducted 
to Egypt, Japan, Jordan, the Philippines, and Saudi Arabia. 
 
WHAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT 
 
CAN DO: 
-  In cases where the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of 
   International Child Abduction applies, assist parents in filing an 
   application with foreign authorities for return of the child 
 
-  In other cases, through our Embassies and Consulates abroad, attempt
   to locate, visit and report on the child's general welfare 
 
-  Provide the left-behind parent with information on the country to 
   which the child was abducted, including its legal system, family 
   laws, and a list of attorneys there willing to accept American 
   clients 
 
-  In all cases, provide a point of contact for the left-behind parent 
   at a difficult time 
 
-  Monitor judicial or administrative proceedings overseas 
 
-  Assist parents in contacting local officials in foreign countries or
   contact them on the parent's behalf 
 
-  Provide information on domestic remedies, such as warrants, 
   extradition and passport revocation 
 
-  Alert foreign authorities to any evidence of child abuse or neglect 
 
CANNOT DO: 
-  Reabduct the child 
 
-  Help a parent to violate host country laws 
 
-  Pay legal expenses or court fees 
 
-  Act as a lawyer or represent parents in court 
 
-  Give refuge to a parent involved in a re-abduction 
 
 
HOW TO REACH US 
 
If you would like more information, please call 202-736-7000 for 
recorded information and instructions on how to obtain our publications, 
or, contact us at the following numbers and addresses. 
 
OFFICE of CHILDRENS' ISSUES 
Room  4811 
Overseas  Citizens  Services 
Bureau of  Consular  Affairs 
U.S. Department of State 
Washington,  D.C. 20520-4818 
 
Telephone:  202-647-2688 
Fax:  202-647-2835 
Autofax:  202-647-3000 
 
Recorded Information:  202-736-7000 
 
Consular Affairs Bulletin Board:  202-647-9225  (modem number) 
Internet Gopher Address:  dosfan.lib.uic.edu 
 
Department of State Publication 10258 
Released March 1995