Canada — international parental child abduction
Canada is a Contracting Party to the 1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention (in force since 1 December 1983). If your child was taken out of Canada by the other parent — or you fear they might be — there is a lawful path, and acting early matters. This is your Canada starting point.
Your child was taken out of Canada
The five lawful first steps, who to contact, and what not to do.
Canada emergency steps →Stop a child leaving Canada
Canada has no routine exit checks — so here is what actually works: orders, passports, and alerts.
Prevention that works →Travel consent letters
The recommended template, how to use it, and the limit the government itself warns about.
Consent letter guide →Which Central Authority handles your case?
Canada has a federal Central Authority and one for every province and territory.
Find the right office →Does the Hague Convention apply to your case?
Both countries must be members, and the treaty must be in force between them. The most-searched Canadian corridor — Canada ↔ United States — is a fast Hague pair. Check any pair with our free checker.
Last verified: 2026-07-05 · Sources: HCCH, travel.gc.ca, Justice Canada · Reviewer: pending professional review (beta).