General
U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual
The FAM and associated Handbooks (FAHs) are a resource for the State Department's structures, policies, and procedures that govern the operations of the Department and Foreign Service.
View WebsiteDigest of United States Practice in International Law
The Office of the Legal Adviser publishes the annual Digest of United States Practice in International Law to provide the public with a historical record of the views and practice of the Government of the United States in public and private international law.
View WebsiteLaw Library of Congress – Foreign, Comparative, & International Digital Collections
Drawing from the Law Library’s extensive collections on foreign, comparative and international legal materials, the digital collections represent historical documents, official publications, legal gazettes, and research reports authored by Law Library foreign legal specialists.
View WebsiteRefWorld
includes collection of the core international treaties, agreements, policies, and other legal reference information relating to UNHCR's mandate, and case law from international, regional and national courts
View WebsiteInternational Child Abduction
Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction & Enforcement Act (1997)
Uniform Law Commission - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (current and adopted by the ULC in 1997)
View WebsiteUniform Child Abduction Prevention Act
Uniform Law Commission - Child Abduction Prevention Act
View WebsiteINCADAT – International Child Abduction Legal Database
HCCH's international case database for child abduction opinions
View WebsiteNCMEC – Family Abduction Resources
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's Family Abduction Resources
View WebsiteAnnual Compliance Reports
U.S. Department of State annual compliance report for Child Abduction cases
View WebsiteFiling a Hague Application
U.S. Department of State instructions on filing a Hague Abduction application with a Central Authority
View WebsiteInternational Child Abduction Remedies Act
ICARA is the U.S. federal implementing legislation for the 1980 Hague Abduction Convention.
View WebsiteInternational Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act
ICAPRA is the law that requires the U.S. Department of State to provide yearly compliance reports and offers potential solutions for countries that are persistently failing to return children who are abducted overseas.
View WebsiteInterpol Crimes Against Children
Learn more about Interpol's work on addressing crimes against children.
View WebsiteU.S. Customs and Border Protection: Prevent Abduction Program
This website provides information on CBP's Prevent Abduction Program and ways to prevent an international parental child abduction.
View WebsiteInternational Parental Kidnapping Crime Act
18 USC 1204 is known as the International Parental Kidnapping Crime Act (IPKCA), a federal statute that criminalizes removing, or attempting to remove, a child from the United States, or retaining a child outside of the U.S., with the intent to obstruct the lawful exercise of parental rights.
View WebsiteU.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual
The FAM and associated Handbooks (FAHs) are a resource for the State Department's structures, policies, and procedures that govern the operations of the Department and Foreign Service.
View WebsiteDigest of United States Practice in International Law
The Office of the Legal Adviser publishes the annual Digest of United States Practice in International Law to provide the public with a historical record of the views and practice of the Government of the United States in public and private international law.
View WebsiteState Department Office of the Assistant Legal Adviser for Private International Law
The Office of Legal Adviser works on a variety of issues in private international law, including family law and judicial assistance. Its work is found on this website.
View WebsiteRequest Copies of Your, or Your Child’s, U.S. Passport Records
Use this link to request your U.S. passport records, or the U.S. passport records of a child for whom you are a legal guardian
View WebsiteDept of State Fed. Reg. Transmittal of Hague Abduction Convention to Senate
Federal Register, Vol. 51, No. 58 (March 26, 1986) - Department of State's Text and Legal Analysis of the Hague Abduction Treaty for transmittal of the treaty to the Senate
View WebsiteDOJ – Descriptive Profiles and Preventive Interventions for Family Abductions
The U.S. Department of Justice's research on family abduction profiles.
View WebsiteUnderstanding and Using UCAPA to Prevent Child Abduction
Family Law Quarterly, Volume 41, Number 1, Spring 2007
View WebsiteU.S. Department of State – Parental Child Abduction Resources for Judges
Online resources for Judges for International Parental Child Abduction cases.
View WebsiteU.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE – PARENTAL CHILD ABDUCTION RESOURCES FOR attorneys
Online resources, including Hague Abduction Convention applications, instructions, and other forms, caselaw, litigation guides, etc. for attorneys.
View WebsiteInternational Custody
Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction & Enforcement Act (1997)
Uniform Law Commission - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (current and adopted by ULC in 1997)
View WebsiteUniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction & Enforcement Act (2013) Not Yet Enacted
Uniform Law Commission - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction & Enforcement Act (not enacted in any state, but passed by ULC in 2013)
View Website1996 Hague Child Protection Convention (Not Yet Ratified)
HCCH's 1996 Hague Child Protection Convention
View WebsiteHCCH’s Work on Recognition & Enforcement of Family Agreements
HCCH's Project on the Recognition & Enforcement of Family Agreements
View WebsiteInternational Social Service – International Family Mediation Services
International Social Service's Mediation Resources
View WebsiteInternational Social Service – USA – Services for Children
International Social Service - US Branch's services for children
View WebsiteU.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual
The FAM and associated Handbooks (FAHs) are a resource for the State Department's structures, policies, and procedures that govern the operations of the Department and Foreign Service.
View WebsiteInternational Judicial Assistance
The U.S. Department of State – Office of Authentications
U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications
View WebsiteThe U.S. DOJ – Office of International Judicial Assistance
U.S. Department of Justice Office of International Judicial Assistance
View WebsiteThe U.S. DOJ – Office of Foreign Litigation
U.S. Department of Justice Office of Foreign Litigation
View WebsiteThe U.S. Department of State – International Judicial Assistance resources
U.S. Department of State's Judicial Assistance Resource Page
View WebsiteLetters Blogatory – Ted Folkman
International Judicial Assistance blog by attorney Ted Folkman
View WebsiteThe Hague Law Blog – Aaron Lukken
International Judicial Assistance blog by attorney Aaron Lukken
View WebsiteGetting a Document Notarized Overseas (Notary Services of US Consulates)
This website gives information on obtaining authentications and notarizations from U.S. consular officers overseas.
View WebsiteRequesting Records under Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Instructions on how to make a FOIA request of a U.S. federal government agency.
View WebsiteDigest of United States Practice in International Law
The Office of the Legal Adviser publishes the annual Digest of United States Practice in International Law to provide the public with a historical record of the views and practice of the Government of the United States in public and private international law.
View WebsiteState Department Office of the Assistant Legal Adviser for Private International Law
The Office of Legal Adviser works on a variety of issues in private international law, including family law and judicial assistance. Its work is found on this website.
View WebsiteInter-American Convention Letters Rogatory
The U.S. Department of State's website about the Inter-American Convention on Letters Rogatory
View WebsiteDOJ Office of International Judicial Assistance Resources
Links to international service resources and OIJA's Guide on Service Abroad (updated periodically)
View WebsiteRefWorld
includes collection of the core international treaties, agreements, policies, and other legal reference information relating to UNHCR's mandate, and case law from international, regional and national courts
View WebsiteInternational Law
U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual
The FAM and associated Handbooks (FAHs) are a resource for the State Department's structures, policies, and procedures that govern the operations of the Department and Foreign Service.
View WebsiteDigest of United States Practice in International Law
The Office of the Legal Adviser publishes the annual Digest of United States Practice in International Law to provide the public with a historical record of the views and practice of the Government of the United States in public and private international law.
View WebsiteState Department Office of the Assistant Legal Adviser for Private International Law
The Office of Legal Adviser works on a variety of issues in private international law, including family law and judicial assistance. Its work is found on this website.
View WebsiteLaw Library of Congress – Foreign, Comparative, & International Digital Collections
Drawing from the Law Library’s extensive collections on foreign, comparative and international legal materials, the digital collections represent historical documents, official publications, legal gazettes, and research reports authored by Law Library foreign legal specialists.
View WebsiteTreaties in Force (United States)
List of treaties and other international agreements of the United States on record in the Department of State
View WebsiteTreaty Database for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Kingdom of the Netherlands is the depositary for around 100 international treaties, including all Hague Conventions.
View WebsitePeace Palace International Law Library
Online resources for the Peace Palace Library in The Hague, Netherlands.
View WebsiteUN Audiovisual Library of International Law
Video archives, lectures, and scholarly presentation on various topics of international law.
View WebsiteNYU Foreign Law Database
This guide lists essential print and online sources for researching foreign law.
View WebsiteRefWorld
includes collection of the core international treaties, agreements, policies, and other legal reference information relating to UNHCR's mandate, and case law from international, regional and national courts
View WebsiteInternational Maintenance (Child Support)
Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (2008)
Uniform Law Commission - Interstate Family Support Act (adopted by ULC in 2008)
View WebsiteDHHS – OCSE – Intergovernmental Reference Guide
Department of Health & Human Services reference page for International Child Support
View WebsiteDigest of United States Practice in International Law
The Office of the Legal Adviser publishes the annual Digest of United States Practice in International Law to provide the public with a historical record of the views and practice of the Government of the United States in public and private international law.
View WebsiteHague Child Support Convention Forms
The Hague Convention forms were developed to comply with the Convention and reduce the complexity of international case processing for all Convention countries.
View WebsitePrivileges and Immunities
Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
International treaty recognizing privileges and immunities of certain diplomats
View WebsiteVienna Convention on Consular Relations
International treaty establishing some privileges and immunities for certain consular posts
View WebsiteDiplomatic Relations Act
Federal Act related to policies towards agents of foreign governments (22 USC 254)
View WebsiteInternational Organizations Immunities Act
Federal law related to privileges and immunities of employees of international organizations (22 USC 288)
View WebsiteGlobal Community Liaison Office for U.S. Foreign Service
Information about Adding Family Members to your Orders
View WebsiteU.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual
The FAM and associated Handbooks (FAHs) are a resource for the State Department's structures, policies, and procedures that govern the operations of the Department and Foreign Service.
View WebsiteDigest of United States Practice in International Law
The Office of the Legal Adviser publishes the annual Digest of United States Practice in International Law to provide the public with a historical record of the views and practice of the Government of the United States in public and private international law.
View WebsiteU.S. Passports
Passport Information (Children under 16)
U.S. Department of State Information on Obtaining a Passport for a Child
View WebsiteChildren’s Passport Issuance Alert Program
U.S. Department of State Passport Issuance Alert Program (PIAP)
View WebsiteU.S. Passport Fact Sheet for Judges & Lawyers
Helpful information in bullet-format for lawyers and judges on issuing, holding, renewing, etc. U.S. passports, particularly for minor children.
View WebsiteDual U.S. – Foreign Country Nationality
This site provides information on dual nationality with the United States and a foreign country.
View WebsiteCode of Federal Regulations for Minors Passports
22 CFR 51.28 (Minors) dictates under what circumstances an application for a U.S. passport can be made on behalf of a minor.
View WebsiteConsular Report of Birth Abroad
A CRBA can be issued as an official record of the child’s claim to U.S. citizenship or nationality when born overseas.
View WebsiteU.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual
The FAM and associated Handbooks (FAHs) are a resource for the State Department's structures, policies, and procedures that govern the operations of the Department and Foreign Service.
View WebsiteTraveling as a Dual National
Information on acquiring dual nationality and potential challenges, including entry and exit travel/passport requirements.
View WebsiteRequest Copies of Your, or Your Child’s, U.S. Passport Records
Use this link to request your U.S. passport records, or the U.S. passport records of a child for whom you are a legal guardian
View Website22 CFR 171.22 – Requesting U.S. Passport Records
Legal authority for requesting U.S. passport records for yourself or your minor child. (This is separate from a FOIA request for a third party's/non-child's records).
View WebsiteAttorney Lists
Department of State: Find an Attorney Abroad
The U.S. Department of State maintains a site of attorneys in different jurisdictions.
View WebsiteInternational Academy of Family Lawyers
"IAFL is a worldwide association of practising lawyers who are recognised by their peers as the most experienced and skilled family law specialists in their respective countries."
View Website