U.S. Embassy Lithuania

Akmenu Gatve. 6
Vilnius, Lithuania
LT-03106
Telephone: +(370) (5) 266-5600
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(370) (5) 266 5500
Fax: +(370) (5) 266-5590
Email: VilniusACS@state.gov

Lithuania 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 May 1, 2007.

For information concerning travel to Lithuania, 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 and aviation safety, please see country-specific information for Lithuania.

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 Citizens 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 Lithuania.  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:

Office of Children’s Issues
Bureau of Consular Affairs
U.S. Department of State
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9^th Floor
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Telephone:  1-888-407-4747
Fax: 202-485-6221
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444
Email: AbductionQuestions@state.gov

Website: travel.state.gov 

The Lithuanian Central Authority (LCA) for the Hague Abduction Convention is the State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service.  The LCA plays an administrative role in Hague Abduction Convention applications, including locating missing children, reaching out to taking parties to ascertain whether a voluntary resolution is possible, and providing a list of local attorneys, if requested.  The LCA can be reached at:

Ministry of Social Security and Labour
State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service
A. Vivulskio Street 13
03221 Vilnius
Lithuania
Telephone: +370 (5) 231 0928
Fax: +370 (5) 231 0927
e-mail: info@ivaikinimas.lt
Internet

To initiate a Hague case for return of, or access to, a child in Lithuania, 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 LCA.  The USCA is available to answer questions about the Hague application process, to forward a completed application to the LCA, and to subsequently monitor its progress through the foreign administrative and legal processes. 

There are no fees for filing Hague applications with either the U.S. or Lithuanian central authorities.  Attorney fees, if necessary, are the responsibility of the applicant parent or legal guardian.  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, Lithuania.  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 Lithuania. 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 country-specific criteria and provide information on the process for submitting a Hague application.

The Lithuanian legal system does not require parents to retain a private attorney in order to file a Hague Abduction Convention petition with a court; however, the LCA recommends that parents have legal representation. Parents may hire a private attorney to assist them with their case and to advise them as to the best course of action for their individual circumstances. A privately hired attorney should contact the LCA and the USCA as soon as possible after the LCA receives the Hague Abduction Convention application. The LCA can provide referrals to assist applicants to find a private attorney or the applicants may represent themselves. The LCA’s role is not to assign attorneys to cases but to facilitate the Hague process until such time as an attorney submits the Hague petition to the Lithuanian court. Parents or legal guardians may apply for free or reduced fee legal representation based on their income and assets.

The U.S. Embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania, posts a list of attorneys 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 persons or firms included in this list. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers.

Mediation is available in Lithuania at any stage of a Hague Abduction Convention case (return or access) and can be used to address a variety of issues ranging from return to access to child support. The LCA can assist with mediation by working with the parent(s) to examine whether there is a possibility for an amicable dialog between the parties. If the parties agree to mediate their case, a mediator will draw up an agreement between the parties to outline the terms of the mediation, including fees.