U.S. Citizen Services

Child Custody

International Parental Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction came into force between the United States and The Gambia July 1, 1988. Therefore, Hague Convention provisions for return would apply to children abducted or retained after July 1, 1988. Parents and legal guardians of children abducted or retained after July 1, 1988, may still submit applications for access to the child under the Hague Convention in some cases.

For in depth information on the workings of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction visit the State Department’s: International Parental Child Abduction Page.

My child has been abducted from the United States to The Gambia: If your child has been abducted from the United States to The Gambia you can obtain the U.S. Central Authority application form via ftp at: Application For Assistance Under the Hague Convention on Child Abduction (in pdf format). For guidance and instructions on completing the application form refer to the U.S. Central Authority’s Brochure at: International Parental Child Abduction Booklet.

Preventing Child Abduction

Passport assistance to parents resident in The Gambia: If you are a resident of The Gambia and fear that your United States citizen child might be taken abroad by the other parent without the mutual consent of both parents, the child’s name can be put in the U.S. passport namecheck system. Then, if an application is received, the requesting parent will be informed before issuance of the passport.

When there is a court order from a court of competent jurisdiction that prohibits the removal of the child from the jurisdiction of the court and/or the requesting party without prior consent, and the order is provided to the American Citizens Services Section, a U.S. Passport may be denied.

Requests and, if relevant, court orders should be sent to:

American Citizen Services
U.S. Embassy
P.M.B. 19, Banjul, The Gambia

Telephone: +(220) 4392856 ext. 2130 Fax: +(220) 4375270

Passport assistance to parents resident in the United States: For assistance and other sources of information, please visit the State Department International Parental Child Abduction site.