Family & Divorce
Cross-border custody: how the Hague Convention actually works
If your child has been taken to or from another country, this guide walks you through the petition, the courts, and the timeline.
SR
Sarah Reinhardt
Family & Divorce · New York, NY · ★ 4.9
1 min read · Updated May 2026
The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is the foundation of cross-border custody disputes between signatory countries.
Habitual residence
The petition is filed in the country where the child habitually resided immediately before removal — not necessarily where the parent currently lives.