Embassy of the United States

Emergencies

Child Abduction

The Hague Convention

Both the United States and Montenegro are parties to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, the international treaty that governs the handling of these difficult cases. Countries that are party to this treaty agree to create a single central office to handle all communication between the two countries involved, and to serve as a place for advice and resources for the parents and families involved.

For in-depth information on what the treaty says and how it helps parents in this situation, please see the State Department's International Child Abduction Page.

My child has been abducted from the United States to Montenegro

If your child has been abducted from the United States to Montenegro, then you can obtain the U.S. Central Authority application form at: Application For Assistance Under the Hague Convention on Child Abduction [PDF]. For guidance and instructions on completing the application form refer to the U.S. Central Authority’s Brochure at: International Parental Child Abduction Booklet.

If you wish to retain the services of an attorney to advise and assist you, then you may select from the list we have assembled of English-speaking attorneys in Montenegro who are willing to undertake cases involving American citizens.

Hiring an Attorney in the United States

If you wish to retain the services of an attorney to advise and assist you, then you may consult the following web sites that provide attorney referral services:

• American Bar Association Lawyer Referral and Information Service
• Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory

Preventing Child Abduction

U.S. Passport assistance to parents resident in Montenegro

If you are a resident of Montenegro and fear that your United States citizen child might be taken abroad by the other parent without your consent, then you can request that your child's name be entered into the worldwide U.S. passport lookout system. Once that is done, if any U.S. passport office or Embassy anywhere in the world receives an application for a passport for that child, then the requesting parent will be informed before the issuance of the passport.

If there is a valid order from a competent court that prohibits the removal of the child from the jurisdiction of the court and/or the requesting party without prior consent, and if a certified copy of that order is provided to the American Citizen Services Unit, then we must comply with the order and refuse to issue a U.S. passport to that child.

Requests and, if relevant, court orders should be sent to the American Citizen Services Unit.  Please see the Key Information box on the right-hand side of this page for full contact information for the Embassy.  

U.S. Passport assistance to parents resident in the United States

For assistance and other sources of information, please visit the State Department's International Child Abduction page.

Other Resources

• Reunite International - helping families experiencing child abduction
• National Center For Missing and Exploited Children