U.S. Embassy Port Louis

4th Floor, Rogers House
John Kennedy Street
Port Louis, Mauritius
Telephone: +(230) 202-4400 
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(230) 202-4400,
press one (1) after the automated greeting
Fax: +(230) 208-9534
Email: PTLConsular@state.gov

Mauritius 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 July 16, 1993.

For information concerning travel to Mauritius, 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 Mauritius.

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 Mauritius.  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:

U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children's
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9th Floor
Website: ChildAbduction.state.gov
Email: AfricaIPCA@state.gov

The Mauritius Central Authority for the Hague Abduction Convention is the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development, and Family Welfare.  The Ministry will take measures to locate the child and taking parent, arrange to visit the home and interview the taking parent, and seek to arrange a voluntary return.  If the taking parent does not agree to a voluntary return, the Ministry refers the case to the court for legal proceedings.  The Mauritius Central Authority can be reached at:

Child Development Unit
c/o Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development, and Family Welfare
3rd Floor CSK Building
Cnr Remi Ollier and Emmanuel Anquetil Streets
Port Louis
Mauritius
Telephone number: +230 206 3700
Fax number:  +230 240 7717
Email: childabduc@govmu.org

To initiate a Hague case for return of, or access to, a child in Mauritius, the left behind parent must submit a Hague application to the Mauritius Central Authority through the U.S. Central Authority. The USCA is available to answer questions about the Hague application process, to forward a completed application to Mauritius Central Authority, and then to monitor its progress through the foreign administrative and legal processes. 

There are no fees for filing Hague applications with either the United States or Mauritius central authorities. The Mauritius Central Authority will provide information that is of a general nature about laws and procedure.  It does not provide legal representation to left behind parents.  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, Mauritius.  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 Mauritius.  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.

Retaining a private attorney is not required in order to submit Hague Convention applications to a court in Mauritius. However, parents should consider hiring a private attorney to follow up on the case and to provide direct information to the court, and to generally advise as to the best course of action for their individual circumstances. A privately hired attorney should contact the Mauritius Central Authority as soon as possible after the Hague Abduction Convention application has been filed with the Mauritius Central Authority.     

The U.S. Embassy in Port Louis, Mauritius posts a list of attorneys including those who specialize in family law at.

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 a possible remedy for both abduction and access cases.  The Mauritius Central Authority will assist both parties to reach voluntary, amicable agreement in all Hague Convention abduction cases.