Child abduction and parenting or custody issues

An international child abduction occurs when a child’s parent or legal guardian wrongfully takes the child from Canada or keeps them in another country. 

The information below may help if you think your child:

• is in danger of being abducted and taken out of Canada
• was abducted abroad
• is being kept from coming back to Canada 

If you think your child is in danger of being abducted and taken out of Canada

Learn the signs that can indicate the other parent or guardian is planning to abduct your child - and how you can prevent it:

• Is your child in danger of being abducted abroad?

If your child was abducted abroad or is being kept from coming back to Canada

Contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre if:

• your child is missing and may have been taken to another country without your permission
• a custody dispute arises while your child is in another country

You can take steps to seek the return of a child who was abducted while outside Canada. Consult these resources:

• If your child has been abducted
• How to seek the return of your child to Canada
• If you are reuniting with your child 

Canadian officials abroad work closely with authorities in other countries to advocate for the safety and well-being of Canadian children outside Canada.