The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention) entered into effect between the United States and Costa Rica on January 1, 2008. The treaty is designed to resolve cases of international child abduction, specifically parental kidnapping.
For the United States, abduction issues are the responsibility of the Office of Children’s Issues, in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs. Click here for information about this office.
For Costa Rica, abduction issues are the responsibility of Patronato Nacional de la Infancia (PANI). Left-behind parents should immediately contact one of these offices if a child has been abducted to, or from, either country. Parents should also contact one of these offices if they suspect that a child is at risk of being abducted. Representatives can provide advice on protecting against improper removal of children from the country.
Learn More about Costa Rica’s participation in the Hague Abduction Convention.
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