When you have a child with someone who comes from another nation and the relationship between you comes to an end, you may have concerns about this person potentially trying to relocate back to his or her home country with your child. Relocating when you have a child with someone else is typically not as easy as it may sound, and in some cases, this can lead parents to simply take a child out of the country without the permission of the other parent.
If you have concerns about international abduction and your one-time partner taking your child out of the United States without asking you first, know that you can take several steps to help prevent this from occurring. More specifically, if you have concerns about your ex taking your child out of the country, you would be wise to:
Get a court order prohibiting travel
Many people in your shoes find that one of the most effective preventative measures they can take to prevent international child abduction is to obtain a court order that either prohibits travel or prevents your child from obtaining a passport. In the event that your child has dual citizenship in both the United States and the home nation of his or her other parent, you may want to contact the foreign consulate in that nation, too. Why? In some cases, your child may be able to get a passport through this other country, so you would be wise to cover all your bases.
Make authorities aware of your situation
You may also be able to reduce the chances of your ex taking your child back to his or her home country without your authorization by informing local authorities about your concerns. When doing so, be sure to produce any court orders or custody decrees you have in place preventing such actions. You may, too, want to make sure staff members at your child’s school, daycare or what have you are also aware of your concerns.
By taking these steps, you can effectively make it that much more difficult for your former partner to take your child out of the country without your permission.