Child abduction

If a child has been taken to a country that is not a party to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will assist in the clarification of the abduction.

An international child abduction usually means cases where a child aged under 16 years with a habitual residence in Finland has been taken abroad without parental consent or the child has not been returned from abroad after the end of the visitation right period.

The authorities of the country where the child has been taken are responsible for handling the child abduction case

If a child has been taken to (Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)a country that is a party to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)the Ministry of Justice (Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)will help in the clarification of the abduction and provides guidance in filing the application for return.

If the child has been taken to a country that is not a party to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will assist in the clarification of the abduction in accordance with sections 31 and 32 of the Consular Services Act (Link to another website.) (Opens New Window).

The mission can

  • try to contribute to the voluntary return of the child and to help bring about an amicable resolution to the matter
  • help in investigating the whereabouts and conditions of the child, in obtaining legal assistance 
  • assist in seeking general information on the legislation of the state in question
  • assist in communication between the parties to the case
  • transmit information and documents concerning the return of the child 
  • assist in the arrangements for the repatriation of the child

If the child's whereabouts is unknown or it is unclear to which country the child has been taken, contact the Police(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window) in your place of residence. 

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