International Parental Child Abduction Serbia
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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
Serbia 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 December 1, 1991.
For information concerning travel to Serbia, 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 Serbia.
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 Serbia. Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance prior to initiating the Hague process directly with the foreign Central Authority.
Contact information:
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: www.travel.state.gov
The Serbian Central Authority (SCA) for the Hague Abduction Convention is located in the Ministry of Justice. The SCA has an administrative role in processing Hague applications. The Ministry of Justice forwards completed Hague applications to the competent civil court in the jurisdiction where the child resides.
The SCA can be reached at:
Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Serbia
International Legal Assistance Department
St. Nemanjina 22-26
Belgrade, Republic of Serbia
Tel.: +381 (11) 3622 356
Fax: +381 (11) 3622 356
E-mail: int.legal.assist.srb@mpravde.gov.rs
Website: http://www.mpravde.gov.rs
To initiate a Hague case for return of, or access to, a child in Serbia, the USCA encourages a parent or legal guardian to review the eligibility criteria and instructions for completing the Hague application form located at the Department of State website and to contact the Department of State for assistance prior to initiating the Hague process directly with the SCA. It is extremely important that each document written in English be translated into Serbian. Please note, however, that certified translations are not necessary. The USCA is available to answer questions about the Hague application process, to forward a completed application to the SCA, and to subsequently monitor its progress through the foreign administrative and legal processes.
There are no fees for filing Hague applications with either the U.S. or Serbian central authorities. Attorney fees are the responsibility of the applicant parent. Additional costs may include airplane tickets for court appearances and for the return of the child, if so ordered.
Back to TopA 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, Serbia. 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.
A person may file an application under the Hague Abduction Convention for access to a child living in Serbia. 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.
The SCA requires parents or legal guardians to retain a private attorney in order to file a Hague Abduction Convention application
with the court. If the parents or legal guardians do not qualify for legal aid from the state, they would be responsible
for all attorney fees.
A parent who hires private counsel should notify both the Serbian and U.S. central authorities.
The U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, Serbia, posts a list of attorneys including those who specialize in family law.
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.
The Serbian federal government is extremely supportive of mediation programs to resolve international parental abduction cases. While courts cannot order cases into mediation, judges can and do strongly encourage mediated resolutions and can stay hearings to permit parties the time to mediate. The SCA and the judge hearing the Hague case work together to identify cases that are potentially suitable for mediated resolutions and make recommendations accordingly. Participation in mediation is voluntary
The U.S. Embassy in Serbia can be contacted at:
Embassy of the United States Serbia
Kneza Miloša 50
11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Telephone: +931-11-361-9344
E-mail: BelgradeACS@state.gov
Website: U.S. Embassy in Serbia
The Embassy of Serbia is located in Washington, D.C. at:
Embassy of Serbia
2134 Kalorma Road, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: 202-332-0333
Fax: 202-332-3933
E-mail: info@serbiaembusa.org
Website: Embassy of Serbia in the United States
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