Ask-the-Consul: Child safety travel advisory

May 24, 2026 Features / Columnists, News

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(Kaieteur News) – Family matters involving children can be deeply emotional. Whether you’re planning to travel with your child or concerned about custody rights, understanding international parental child abduction is essential. Here are answers to common questions we receive.

Q: What is international parental child abduction?

A: It occurs when a parent wrongfully removes a child from their country of habitual residence or wrongfully retains them in another country without the other parent’s consent or in violation of custody rights. Under U.S. law, it’s a federal felony to remove or retain a child younger than age 16 outside the United States with intent to obstruct parental rights.

Q: What is NOT considered abduction?

A: It’s not abduction when parents consent to travel, a parent has sole legal custody with travel authority, or a court order specifically authorizes international travel.

Q: I’m in Guyana and want to take my child to the United States. Do I need the other parent’s consent?

A: Yes, you should always obtain the other parent’s consent before traveling internationally with your child.

For departing Guyana: Check with Guyanese authorities about local requirements, as many countries require consent from both parents or documentation showing you have authority to travel with the child.

For entering the United States: While there are no specific U.S. federal requirements mandating parental consent letters for children entering with one parent on a non-immigrant visa, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers may ask questions to ensure child welfare and prevent trafficking.

Most importantly: Taking your child to the United States without the other parent’s consent could violate Guyanese law or custody agreements, potentially constituting international parental child abduction. Even with a valid visa, if you take your child abroad without proper consent and don’t return as agreed, the other parent can report this as an abduction.

Always carry:

• A notarized consent letter from the other parent
• Custody documents if you have sole custody
• The child’s birth certificate
• Contact information for the other parent

The safest approach is always to obtain written consent from the other parent before traveling internationally.

Q: Can a parent in the U.S. take a child to Guyana without the other parent’s consent? 

A: No. Taking a child from the United States to Guyana (or any country) without the other parent’s consent or in violation of custody rights can constitute international parental child abduction and may be a federal crime. 

Q: What if a parent takes my child from the U.S. to Guyana and won’t return them? 

A:Important: Guyana is NOT currently a party to the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction. This means the streamlined return process under the Convention doesn’t apply. However, you still have options:

1. Contact the Office of Children’s Issues immediately:
   • 1-888-407-4747 (U.S./Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (international)
   • Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time

2. The U.S. Embassy in Georgetown can help by:

• Conducting welfare visits to check on your child
• Offering a list of local attorneys
• Facilitating communication with local authorities
• Monitoring your child’s situation

3. File a police reportin the United States

4. Enroll your child in the Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP)to be notified if someone tries to get a U.S. passport for your child.

5. Consult attorneysin both the U.S. and Guyana, as you’ll need to pursue custody remedies through the Guyanese legal system.

DOS & DON’TS When Traveling with Children 

DO:

• Get written consent from the other parent before international travel
• Carry notarized consent letters and custody documents
• Communicate openly about travel plans, dates, and destinations
• Return on time as agreedKeep the other parent informed of how to reach you

DON’T:

• Assume custody means you can travel without informing the other parent
• Extend your trip without consent
• Relocate permanently without legal authorization
• Ignore custody agreements or court orders

Prevent abduction before it happens:

1. Enroll in CPIAP(Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program) –This alerts you if someone applies for a U.S. passport for your child.
2. Include travel provisions in custody agreements
3. Keep custody documents accessible
4. Maintain open communication with the other parent.
5. Be alert to warning signs: talk about relocating abroad, obtaining documents without explanation etc.
6. Seek legal advice early if you have concerns.

International parental child abduction is a serious matter that can have lasting effects on families. The most important thing to remember is that communication and consent are essential. Carry proper documentation including notarized consent letters, custody orders, and birth certificates.

The U.S. Embassy in Georgetown stands ready to assist with welfare visits in Guyana, legal referrals, and coordination with local authorities, though we cannot physically retrieve children or override court decisions. Above all, remember that these protections exist to serve the best interests of children, who thrive when both parents are involved in their lives and when adults resolve disagreements through proper legal channels rather than taking matters into their own hands.

Need more information? Visit:  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/International-Parental-Child-Abduction.html.

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“Ask the Consul” is a monthly column from the U.S. Embassy answering questions about U.S. immigration law and other Consular topics.  Detailed information about visas can be viewed at https://gy.usembassy.gov/, https://ais.usvisa-info.com/ and https://travel.state.gov/.  Information about American Citizen Services can be found at https://gy.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to prepare their own documents and avoid third-party advice.  Consular processes change frequently, and non-U.S. government advisors often provide inadequate or inaccurate information.  Please contact our Visa Information Service Center using the contact information at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-gy/niv/information/contact_us if you have general visa questions.

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• Ask the Consul, Child Safety, travel, travel advisory, US Embassy, US visa

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