International Parental Child Abduction Honduras
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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.
January 2013
Honduras and the United States have been treaty partners under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction Convention (Hague Abduction Convention) since June 1, 1994.
For information concerning travel to Honduras, 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 Honduras.
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 Citizen 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 Honduras. 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: travel.state.gov
The Honduran Central Authority for the Hague Abduction Convention is the Instituto Hondureño de la Niñez y la Familia (IHNFA) and is responsible for processing Hague applications. IHNFA may be reached at:
Instituto Hondureño de la Niñez y la Familia (IHNFA)
Edificio IHNFA
Colonia Humuya
Calle La Salud, No 1101 frente al semáforo de El Prado
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Telephone: 504-2239-8379
Email: convenciondelahayaihnfahn@gmail.com
To initiate a Hague case for return of, or access to, a child in Honduras, the left-behind parent must submit a Hague application to IHNFA. The USCA is available to answer questions about the Hague application process, to forward a completed application to IHNFA, and to monitor its progress through the foreign administrative and legal processes.
There are no fees for filing Hague applications with either the United States or Honduran 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.
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, Honduras. 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 Honduras. 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 a private attorney is not required to file Hague Convention applications with courts in Honduras. However, parents should consider hiring a private attorney to follow up on cases, provide information to courts, and advise on courses of action appropriate for their individual circumstances. A privately-hired attorney should contact IHNFA, the Honduran Central Authority, as soon as possible after the Hague Abduction Convention application has been filed. IHNFA does not act as a parent’s legal representative. However, IHNFA presents Convention applications to courts, and an IHNFA representative attends court proceedings.
The U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa, Honduras posts 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 following persons or firms. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers..
IHNFA promotes mediation to resolve abduction cases and will attempt to initiate mediation in all Hague Abduction Convention cases.
The U.S. Embassy in Honduras can be contacted at:
U.S. Embassy Honduras
Avenida La Paz
Apartado Postal No. 3453
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Telephone: (504) 2236-9320, extension 4400
Fax: (504) 2238-4357
E-mail: usahonduras@state.gov
Website: http://honduras.usembassy.gov/
The Embassy of Honduras is located in Washington, D.C. at:
Embassy of Honduras
3007 Tilden Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: (202) 966-7702
Fax: 202 966-9751
E-mail: embassy@hondurasemb.org
Website: http://www.hondurasemb.org/
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