15442e28-5563-4ad0-8499-a92530be4b66
374282
Αιτήσεις επιστροφής απαχθέντων τέκνων ή επικοινωνίας με απαχθέντα τέκνα
At a glance
Points of service
DEPARTMENT OF PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW, MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
Digital provision points
- The service is not provided digitally
Number of required documents
Description
The procedure concerns cross-border applications for the return of abducted children or access to abducted children. More specifically, the Ministry of Justice, as the Central Authority, shall receive or send applications from or to the relevant foreign authorities regarding the return of children or access to children who were allegedly wrongfully removed or retained in a state other than that where they were habitually resident. The goal is to ensure the safe return of the child or to protect the rights of access of the parent who filed the application.
Basic information
Competent body
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
Authority/Public body’s Unit responsible for the institutional framework of the procedure
Service / organizational unit of a authority entity
DEPARTMENT OF PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW
Application
Application Type
Application
Submission by:
Submitted by the applicant (digital), Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Title
Application for the return of a child, as provided for in the Hague Convention of 1980.
Notes:
A standard application for the return of an abducted child can be found on the website of the Hague Conference.
What you will need
Means of authentication, identification and signature
Output & Results
Output
Document Production, Launch another procedure
Other information
Alternative titles
Applications under the Hague Convention of 1980, international child abduction, child protection measures, right of access
Official title
Applications for the return of abducted children or access to abducted children
Languages supported
English, Greek
Categories
Trigger (submission method)
Application (letter), email, Public service / public body document
G1
ΔΔ
1
0
0
99487
No
259200
172800
Identification document
522929
8210
Framers, SDG
Input in another process
The procedure concerns cross-border applications for the return of abducted children or access to abducted children. More specifically, the Ministry of Justice, as the Central Authority, shall receive or send applications from or to the relevant foreign authorities regarding the return of children or access to children who were allegedly wrongfully removed or retained in a state other than that where they were habitually resident. The goal is to ensure the safe return of the child or to protect the rights of access of the parent who filed the application.
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5
3
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70 days}}
1
Child’s birth certificate.
Birth certificate (Census)
Child’s birth certificate.
Submission by:
Submitted by the applicant (digital), Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Submitted by:
Persons
Document submitted under requirements:
No
No
9439
2
A photograph of the child and of the parent who is alleged to have wrongfully removed or retained it.
Photograph
No
8298
3
Marriage certificate (where available).
Municipal Certificates
Marriage certificate (where available).
Relevant link:
https://www.gov.gr/en/ipiresies/oikogeneia
Submission by:
Submitted by the applicant (digital), Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Submitted by:
Persons
Document submitted under requirements:
Yes
Document’s requirement:
Family
No
4705
4
Copy of divorce ruling (where applicable).
Certificate from a court
No
8289
5
Copy of judicial decisions on rights of custody (where applicable).
Certificate from a court
No
8289
6
Documents proving the habitual residence of the child before the wrongful removal or retention (e.g. certificate of attendance at school, certificate from an attending physician).
Certificate
Documents proving the habitual residence of the child before the wrongful removal or retention (e.g. certificate of attendance at school, certificate from an attending physician).
Submission by:
Submitted by the applicant (digital), Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Submitted by:
Persons
Document submitted under requirements:
No
No
9703
7
Proof of the child’s identity (e.g. passport)
Identification document
Proof of the child’s identity (e.g. passport)
Submission by:
Submitted by the applicant (digital), Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Submitted by:
Persons
Document submitted under requirements:
No
No
2244
8
Authorisation to the Central Authority of the requested state to act on behalf of the applicant.
Enabling act
No
3070
Law
2102
1992
193
Α
Law
4020
2011
217
Α
European Regulation
2201
2003
1
Opening of procedure
No
No
2
Receipt of applications from citizens residing in Greece
Responsible for Implementation
Competent Employee
Μethod of Implementation
Manual Action
Description
The Ministry of Justice receives from citizens residing in Greece applications for the return of children who are allegedly moved and illegally detained abroad.
Yes
No
3
Control of supporting documents and forwarding of applications to the foreign Central Authorities
Responsible for Implementation
Competent Employee
Description
The Ministry of Justice shall check whether the application has been duly completed and is accompanied by the necessary supporting documents (otherwise requesting any missing documents) and shall forward the application and the relevant supporting documents to the foreign Central Authority.
Yes
Yes
4
Receipt of applications from foreign Central Authorities and notification of receipt
Responsible for Implementation
Competent Employee
Μethod of Implementation
Software action
Description
The Ministry of Justice, as a designated Central Authority (CA) for the implementation of the Hague Convention of 1980, shall receive from the relevant foreign CAs any applications filed by citizens for the return of their children who have allegedly been wrongfully removed and retained in Greece at a place other than their former habitual residence. The Ministry of Justice shall notify the foreign Central Authority as soon as possible of the receipt of such applications.
Yes
No
5
Control of supporting documents
Responsible for Implementation
Competent Employee
Μethod of Implementation
Inspection
Description
The competent employee to whom the case has been assigned shall check whether the application has been duly completed, as well as the supporting documents attached thereto, as indicated in the ‘Supporting Documents’ section. If any supporting documents are found to be missing, the employee shall duly notify the foreign Central Authority and request the additional supporting documents.
Yes
No
6
Inquiries to discover the whereabouts of the child
Responsible for Implementation
Competent Employee
Μethod of Implementation
Software action
Description
If the application, duly completed and accompanied by the required supporting documents, is accepted, the Ministry of Justice shall forward a request in writing to Hellenic Police Headquarters to discover the whereabouts of the child and the parent in Greece.
Yes
No
7
Forwarding or return of an application
Description
If the police inquiries conclude that the child is no longer in Greece but in a different country, the Ministry of Justice shall forward the application to the Central Authority of the country where the child is located. If the inquiry proves unsuccessful, the Ministry of Justice shall return the application to the requesting Central Authority.
Yes
Yes
8
Additional actions
Responsible for Implementation
Competent Department
Μethod of Implementation
Software action
Description
The Ministry of Justice may take additional actions in order to achieve the objectives of the Hague Convention of 1980, such as: facilitating an amicable resolution or the voluntary return of the child, exchanging information relating to the social background of the child with the foreign Central Authority, notifying the countrys courts of the stay of custody proceedings provided for in the Convention until a ruling on whether the child must be returned or not has been rendered.
Yes
No
9
Notification of a foreign Central Authority regarding a judicial decision
Responsible for Implementation
Competent Employee
Description
The Ministry of Justice shall inform the foreign Central Authority of any judicial decision rendered by a Greek court and of the applicant’s right to appeal.
Yes
Yes
Hague Conference on Private International Law
Ministry of Justice – International Judicial Cooperation in Civil Matters – International Child Abduction
Hague Conference on Private International Law
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