provide information on a country’s legal system, customs and regulations with respect to children and family
assist a parent or guardian and cooperate with local authorities in cases involving child abductions, custody and welfare
advise a parent or guardian to seek professional legal advice and provide a list of local lawyers with expertise in family law
provide lists of other local professionals, such as family counsellors and social workers, as well as information on resources and avenues to help resolve cases involving children and family
request assistance from competent local authorities to conduct visits to assess a child’s health, safety, living conditions, schooling and general well-being, with the consent of a parent or guardian
respond to inquiries regarding the purpose, composition and certification of a consent letter for children travelling abroad
request that Passport Canada enter a child’s information in their System Lookout List, with the consent of a parent or guardian, if there are concerns about the child’s safety or fears that an unauthorized passport application may be made on the child’s behalf
liaise with local and Canadian authorities, such as law enforcement agencies, social services, non-governmental organizations and central authorities responsible for the Hague Convention
advise Canadian citizens wishing to adopt a child while abroad to contact the relevant authorities, including local social service agencies, Citizenship and Immigration Canada and provincial/territorial adoption authorities in Canada
issue a letter of no objection to adoptive parents living abroad, indicating that Canada approves the adoption and that the child will be permitted entry into Canada
process citizenship applications for children adopted by Canadian parents while abroad
take emergency measures on behalf of Canadian children coerced into marriage or facing the threat of forced marriage abroad, requesting protection from local social services, if required
Consular officials cannot:
intervene in private legal matters relating to children and family
apply or violate foreign laws
provide legal advice or interfere in the legal processes of another country
act as a custodian or legal guardian of a missing or abducted child
enforce a Canadian custody agreement overseas
compel another country to make a specific determination in a custody case
provide financial assistance to cover legal, travel, accommodation or other expenses
provide passport services to any parent who has not complied with a child support order or agreement or whose child appears on Passport Canada’s System Lookout List
act as a law enforcement agency to locate a missing Canadian child