International Parental Child Abduction Uruguay

 


 

DISCLAIMER: The information in this flyer is provided for general information only, is not intended to be legal advice, and may change without notice. Questions involving interpretation of law should be addressed to an attorney licensed to practice in the relevant jurisdiction.

November 2012 

General Information:

Uruguay and the United States have been treaty partners under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention) since September 1, 2004.

For information concerning travel to Uruguay, including information about the location of the U.S. Embassy, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, entry/exit requirements, safety and security, crime, medical facilities and health information, traffic safety, road conditions and aviation safety, please see country-specific information for Uruguay at:  http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1054.html.   

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Hague Abduction Convention:

The U.S. Department of State serves as the U.S. Central Authority (USCA) for the Hague Abduction Convention.  In this capacity, the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Children’s Issues facilitates the submission of applications under the Hague Abduction Convention for the return of, or access to, children located in countries that are U.S. treaty partners, including Uruguay.  Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance prior to initiating the Hague process directly with the foreign Central Authority.

United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children’s Issues
2201 C Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20520
Telephone:  1-888-407-4747
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444
Fax:  202-736-9132
Website:  http://travel.state.gov/abduction/abduction_580.html

The Uruguayan Central Authority for the Hague Abduction Convention is the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC).  MEC’s role is to carry out Uruguay’s obligations under the Convention and process Hague Abduction Convention applications that it receives

They can be reached at:

Ministry of Education and Culture
Attn:  Dr. Daniel Trecca, Dra. Adriana Fernández
Reconquista 585, Piso 5
1100 Montevideo
Uruguay
Telephone: +598-2915-8836
Fax:   + 598-2915-9780
E-mail: urures@mec.gub.uy
trecca@mec.gub.uy
fernandezad@mec.gub.uy

To initiate a Hague case for return of, or access to, a child in Uruguay, the left-behind parent must submit a Hague application to the Uruguayan Central Authority.  The USCA is available to answer questions about the Hague application process, to forward a completed application to the Uruguayan Central Authority, and to subsequently monitor its progress through the foreign administrative and legal processes. 

There are not fees for filing Hague applications with either the United States or Uruguayan central authorities.   Attorney fees, if necessary, are the sole responsibility of the person hiring the attorney.  Additional costs may include airplane tickets for court appearances and for the return of the child, if so ordered. 

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Return:

A parent or legal guardian may file an application under the Hague Abduction Convention for return to the United States of a child abducted to, or wrongfully retained in Uruguay.  The U.S. Department of State can assist parents living in the United States to understand whether the Convention is an available civil remedy and can provide information on the process for submitting a Hague application.

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Visitation/Access:

A person may file an application under the Hague Abduction Convention for access to a child living in Uruguay.  The criteria for acceptance of a Hague access application vary from country to country.  The U.S. Department of State can assist parents living in the United States to understand country-specific criteria and provide information on the process for submitting a Hague application.

Retaining an Attorney:

Retaining a private attorney is not required in order to submit Hague Convention applications to a court in Uruguay.  However, parents should consider hiring a private attorney to follow up on the case, to provide direct information to the court, and to generally advise as to the best course of action for their individual circumstances.  A privately-hired attorney should contact the Uruguayan Central Authority as soon as possible after the Hague Abduction Convention application has been filed.  For parents who do not have the financial resources to hire a private attorney, Uruguay has public defenders who may be available to assist.  Information on pro bono legal assistance through a public defender can be found on the website of the Public Defender’s Office in Family Matters at:   http://guiaderecursos.mides.gub.uy/mides/text.jsp?contentid=4152&site=1&channel=mides.  Parents may wish to contact the Legal Aid Clinic of the University of the Republic, which may also provides pro bono legal assistance.  Information on the University’s Legal Aid Clinic can be found at:   http://www.fder.edu.uy/consultorio.html.   

The U.S. Embassy in Montevideo, Uruguay posts list of attorneys including those who specialize in family law at:  http://uruguay.usembassy.gov/uscitizenservices-notary-attorneys.html

This list is provided as a courtesy service only and does not constitute an endorsement of any individual attorney. The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the persons or firms included in this list.  Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers.

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Mediation:

Mediation in Uruguay is only available through Uruguay’s Courts of Justice.  We are unaware of any non-governmental mediation services.  The Courts of Justice may be contacted at: http://www.poderjudicial.gub.uy or through e-mail at: 
sip-scj@poderjudicial.gub.uy.

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Embassy Contact Information: 

The U.S. Embassy in Uruguay can be contacted at: 

U.S. Embassy Montevideo
Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200
Uruguay
Telephone: (598) (2) 1770-2000
Fax: (598) (2) 1770-2440
E-mail:  MontevideoACS@state.gov
Website:  http://uruguay.usembassy.gov

The Embassy of Uruguay is located in Washington, D.C. at:

Embassy of Uruguay
1913 I (Eye) Street, NW
Washington D.C., DC 20006
Telephone:  (202) 331-1313
Fax:  (202) 331-8142
Website: http://www.mrree.gub.uy/frontend/page?1,embajada-eeuu,pagina-principal-embajada-eeuu,O,es,0,