Uruguay and the Hague Abduction Convention

The United States' Annual Report on International Child Abduction 2020 states that:

Uruguay and the United States have been treaty partners under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction Convention (Hague Abduction Convention) since September 1, 2004.

To initiate a Hague case for return of, or access to, a child in Uruguay, the left-behind parent must submit a Hague application to the Uruguayan Central Authority.

There are no fees for filing Hague applications with either the United States or Uruguayan central authorities. Attorney fees, if necessary, are the responsibility of the applicant parent. Additional costs may include airplane tickets for court appearances and for the return of the child, if so ordered.

The United States and the Uruguay Central Authorities have a strong and productive relationship that facilitates the resolution of abduction cases under the Convention.

Voluntary Resolution: The Convention states that central authorities “shall take all appropriate measures to secure the voluntary return of the child or to bring about an amicable resolution of the issues.” In 2019, one abduction case was resolved through voluntary means.

Location: The Department of State did not request assistance with location from the Uruguayan authorities.

Judicial Authorities: The United States is not aware of any abduction cases brought before the Uruguayan judiciary in 2019.

Enforcement: The United States is not aware of any abduction cases in which a judicial order relating to international parental child abduction needed to be enforced by the Uruguayan authorities.

Department Recommendations: The Department and the Uruguayan Central Authority will continue the effective processing and resolution of cases under the Convention.