Initiation of proceedings for return or for the protection of rights of access
The return of a child who has been wrongfully removed to or retained in a Contracting State of the Hague Convention or the European Convention may be requested from the Central Authority by completing the form below. The same applies to the protection of cross-border rights of access. To clarify which international Convention applies and which form to fill out, please contact the Central Authority.
The services provided by the Central Authorities are free of charge. Court proceedings under the European Convention 1980 are free of charge for applicants. Judicial proceedings for return or for the protection of access rights under the Hague Convention 1980 are only free of charge for applicants if neither of the two concerned Contracting States has made a reservation to the exemption of costs or if the applicants are granted legal aid.
In order to find out, which Contracting States have made a reservation to the Hague Convention 1980 concerning the costs, you may check our list of contracting states and the country notes. The costs include court fees, legal representation, protective measures, interpreter and mediation/conciliation procedure. Since the services provided by the Contracting States without such a reservation vary significantly (in particular with regard to the legal representation of applicants in the return proceedings), please contact the Central Authority for more detailed information.
Depending on the complexity of each individual case and the applicable legal system, the proceedings may last several months or longer. You will find further information in our brochure.
Important: Please read carefully the guidelines on completing the application form and contact the Central Authority for any question.
Application forms based on the Hague Convention 1980
Request for return
Request for return (Hague Convention) - German
Request for return (Hague Convention) - French/English
Request for return (Hague Convention) - French
Request for return (Hague Convention) - Italian
Request for return (Hague Convention) - English
Request for return (Hague Convention) - Spanish
Request for return (Hague Convention) - Portuguese
Request for return (Hague Convention) - Russian
Request for return (Hague Convention) - Turkish
Request for access rights
Request for access rights (Hague Convention) - German
Request for access rights (Hague Convention) - French/English
Request for access rights (Hague Convention) - French
Request for access rights (Hague Convention) - Italian
Request for access rights (Hague Convention) - English
Request for access rights (Hague Convention) - Spanish
Request for access rights (Hague Convention) - Portuguese
Application forms based on the European Convention 1980
Request for return
Request for return (European Convention) - German
Request for return (European Convention) - French/English
Request for return (European Convention) - French
Request for return (European Convention) - Italian
Request for return (European Convention) - English
Request for return (European Convention) - Spanish
Request for return (European Convention) - Portuguese
Request for access rights
Request for return (European Convention) - German
Request for return (European Convention) - French/English
Request for return (European Convention) - French
Request for return (European Convention) - Italian
Request for return (European Convention) - English
Request for return (European Convention) - Spanish
Request for return (European Convention) - Portuguese
Info complementari
Federal Office of Justice
Bundesrain 20
CH-3003 Bern