International Parental Child Abduction Russia
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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.
December 2012
For information concerning travel to Russia, 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 Russia.
Russia acceded to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention) on October 1, 2011; however, the United States and Russia are not yet treaty partners. Until Russia and the United States establish a treaty relationship per Article 38 of the Convention, parents whose children have been abducted from the United States to Russia or wrongfully retained in Russia are unable to invoke the Convention to pursue their children’s return or to seek access to them.
Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country. Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Russia and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances.
The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Children’s Issues provides assistance in cases of international parental child abduction. For U.S. citizen parents whose children have been wrongfully removed to or retained in countries that are not U.S. partners under the Hague Abduction Convention, the Office of Children’s Issues can provide information and resources about country-specific options for pursuing the return of or access to an abducted child. The Office of Children’s Issues may also coordinate with appropriate foreign and U.S. government authorities about the welfare of abducted U.S. citizen children. Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance.
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
Email: AskCI@state.gov
Parental child abduction is not a crime in Russia. A parent or guardian must file a missing person report with the Russian police in order for the Ministry of the Interior (MVD) to take action. The Federal Bailiff’s Service will assist with enforcement if a parent obtains a Russian court order granting custody or visitation.
Parents may wish to consult with an attorney in the United States and in the country to which the child has been removed or
retained to learn more about how filing criminal charges may impact a custody case in the foreign court. Please see Possible Solutions - Pressing Criminal Charges for more information.
Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country. Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Russia and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances.
The Office of Children’s Issues may be able to assist parents seeking access to children who have been wrongfully removed
from or retained outside the United States. Parents who are seeking access to children who were not wrongfully removed from
or retained outside the United States should contact the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Russia for information and
possible assistance.
Neither the Office of Children’s Issues nor consular officials at the U.S. Embassy or Consulates in Russia are authorized to provide legal advice.
The U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia, posts a list of attorneys, including those who specialize in family law at: list of attorneys or http://moscow.usembassy.gov/acs-resources.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.
Mediation is not a recognized legal process used in custody disputes in Russia, although local religious organizations may provide informal services.
The U.S. Embassy in Russia can be contacted at:
U.S. Embassy in Moscow
Bolshoy Deviatinsky Pereulok No. 8
Moscow 121099,
Russian Federation
TEL: +7 (495) 728-5000
FAX: +7 (495) 728-5084
U.S. Embassy in Moscow
The Embassy of Russia is located in Washington, D.C., at:
2641 Tunlaw Road NW,
Washington, DC 20007
TEL: (202) 939-8907, 939-8913, 939-8918
FAX: (202) 483-7579
The Embassy of Russia in Washington, D.C
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