Hague Abduction Convention 1980 — Return Application
DSDW Central Authority + Family Court + Hague 1980 Articles 3, 12, 13 · best for Wrongful removal · Wrongful retention · Article 21 access
NYC Legal's Adoption & Surrogacy Bar handles Hague Abduction Convention 1980 — Return Application across Hague 1993, Hague 1980, Thai ART Act 2015, and US/UK/AU/CA surrogacy frameworks.
Partner network: DSDW Thailand, US State Department, UK CAFCASS, AU DSS, HCCH HQ, Hague 1993 Central Authorities in 105 countries.
Hague Abduction Convention 1980 — Return Application takes 42-180 working days at 485,000-1,485,000 บาท — includes intake, home study/medical clearance, court filings, certifications, MFA legalisation and post-placement.
We liaise with DSDW, USCIS, State Department, CAFCASS, HFEA, AU DSS and the Hague Central Authority network.
Coverage: Hague 1993 (105 parties), Hague 1980 (103 parties), Thai ART Act 2015, US/UK/AU/CA surrogacy frameworks.
Adoption — 280+ Hague 1993 + domestic cases closed 2015-2025 (>95% placement success).
Coverage
How it works
- 1
Intake + eligibility (7-14 days)
Interview + medical clearance + criminal-record check + financial vetting.
- 2
Home Study / Medical Clearance
Home Study Article 5 + medical + psychological + DSDW/Central Authority approval.
- 3
Matching + Article 17 Agreement
Child matching + Article 17 dual-Central-Authority agreement + court filing.
- 4
Court Order + Article 23 / PBO
Adoption Order + Article 23 Certificate + Pre-Birth Order + parentage judgment.
- 5
Post-placement + citizenship
2-yr post-placement reports + citizenship visa (US IH-3/IR-3, UK, AU) + dual citizenship.
Frequently asked questions
Who fits Hague Abduction Convention 1980 — Return Application?
Wrongful removal, Wrongful retention, Article 21 access and anyone needing Hague compliance + cross-border parentage.
Total cost?
485,000-1,485,000 บาท — includes Central Authority fees, court costs, home study, translation, MFA + legal fees.
Timeline?
42-180 working days — Hague adoption 12-24 months, surrogacy 12-18 months, Hague Abduction 6 weeks expedited.
Which countries does Hague 1993 cover?
105 parties — including US, UK, AU, CA, all EU, ASEAN, Latin America and most of Africa.
Is surrogacy legal in Thailand?
Only for TH-TH married couples + altruistic + medically necessary under ART Act 2015 — commercial is fully banned.
Safest international surrogacy?
US (CA/IL/NV PBO), Canada (Ontario/BC altruistic), Mexico (post-2021 SCJN), Georgia, Ukraine (wartime limits).
Hague Abduction Return — how?
File via DSDW Central Authority → Family Court → 6-week expedited hearing → Article 12/13 defence assessment.
Surrogate child's citizenship?
US — automatic under CCA 2000; UK — Parental Order + British citizenship; AU — citizenship by descent.