Metochiou & Ploutarchou Street
2407, Engomi
Nicosia, Cyprus
Telephone: +(357) 22-393939
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(357) 22-393939; wait for the recorded message then dial 0
Fax: +(357) 22-266640
Email: ACSNicosia@state.gov
The Republic of Cyprus and the United States have been treaty partners under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention) since March 1, 1995.
For information concerning travel to Cyprus, 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, aviation safety and more, please see country-specific information for Cyprus.
For information on children abducted to the area administered by Turkish Cypriots in Northern Cyprus, parents or legal guardians should contact the Department of State.
The U.S. Department of State reports statistics and compliance information for individual countries in the Annual Report on International Child Abduction. The report is located here.
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 Cyprus. 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
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Telephone: 1-888-407-4747
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444
Fax: 202-485-6221
Website
The Cypriot Central Authority (CCA) for the Hague Abduction Convention is the Ministry of Justice and Public Order. The Ministry of Justice and Public Order reviews and forwards applications for return and access to the Office of the Attorney General for proceedings before the district family court where the defendant resides.
The CCA can be reached at:
Ministry of Justice and Public Order
International Legal Cooperation Unit
125 Athalassas Avenue
1461 Nicosia
Cyprus
Telephone: +357 (22) 805 928 / 932
Fax: +357 (22) 518 328 / 356
Email: registry@mjpo.gov.cy
Website
To initiate a Hague case for return of, or access to, a child in Cyprus, the USCA encourages a parent or legal guardian to review the eligibility criteria and instructions for completing the Hague application form located at the Department of State website and contact the Department of State for assistance prior to initiating the Hague process directly with the CCA. It is extremely important that each supporting document written in English be translated into Greek. Please note, however, that certified translations are not necessary. Any competent person or organization may translate the documents. The USCA is available to answer questions about the Hague application process, to forward a completed application to the CCA, and subsequently to monitor its progress through the foreign administrative and legal processes.
There are no fees for filing Hague applications with either the U.S. or Cypriot central authorities. Attorney fees in Cyprus, if necessary, are the responsibility of the applicant parent. Additional costs may include airplane tickets for court appearances and for the return of the child, if so ordered.
A 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, Cyprus. 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 Cyprus. 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 Ecuador-specific criteria and provide information on the process for submitting a Hague application.
In a Hague Abduction Convention case sent to Cyprus, it is not necessary for a petitioner to retain a private attorney because all applications are assigned and presented to the court by Lawyers of the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic, on behalf of the CCA.
The CCA will assign a public prosecutor to present the case to the court. However, the public prosecutor does not represent the left-behind parent or legal guardian who submitted the Hague Abduction Convention application. Instead, the prosecutor represents Cyprus and submits the request for return on behalf of the Cypriot Minister of Justice. Applicant parents or legal guardians have the option to hire a private attorney at their own expense in Cyprus to join the public prosecutor in presenting the Hague Abduction Convention case. A privately hired attorney should contact the CCA as soon as possible after the CCA receives the Hague Abduction Convention application.
The U.S. Embassy in Nicosia, Cyprus, provides a list of attorneys for U.S. citizens 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.
The USCA is not aware of any government or private organizations in Cyprus that offer mediation services in either abduction or access cases.
Exercising Custody Rights
While travelling in a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country. It is important for parents to understand that, although a left-behind parent in the United States may have custody or visitation rights pursuant to a U.S. custody order, that order may not be valid and enforceable in the country in which the child is located. For this reason, we strongly encourage you to speak to a local attorney if planning to remove a child from a foreign country without the consent of the other parent. Attempts to remove your child to the United States may:
- Endanger your child and others;
- Prejudice any future judicial efforts; and
- Could result in your arrest and imprisonment.
The U.S. government cannot interfere with another country’s court or law enforcement system.
To understand the legal effect of a U.S. order in a foreign country, a parent should consult with a local attorney in the country in which the child is located.
For information about hiring an attorney abroad, see our section on Retaining a Foreign Attorney.
Although we cannot recommend an attorney to you, most U.S. Embassies have lists of attorneys available online. Please visit the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for a full listing.
For more information on consular assistance for U.S. citizens arrested abroad, please see our website.
Country officers are available to speak with you Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. For assistance with an abduction in progress or any emergency situation that occurs after normal business hours, on weekends, or federal holidays, please call toll free at 1-888-407-4747. See all contact information.
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 in the relevant jurisdiction.
