Office of Children's Issues

U.S. Department of State
Office of Children's Issues

Seal of the United States Department of State
Agency overview
Formed	1994
Jurisdiction	Hague Abduction Convention Hague Adoption Convention
Headquarters	Harry S. Truman Building 2201 C Street, NW, SA-29 Washington, D.C. 20520
Employees	40
Agency executives	Beth Payne, Director Abduction Unit Chief Eastern, Stefanie B. Eye Abduction Unit Chief Western, Laurie J. Trost Adoption Unit Chief, Alison E. Dilworth
Parent agency	Bureau of Consular Affairs
Website	[1]

The Office of Children's Issues is an agency of the Bureau of Consular Affairs, which in turn is part of the U.S. Department of State. The Office of Children’s Issues was created in 1994 under the leadership of Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mary Ryan and that of her successor Maura Harty. The Office of Children's Issues develops and coordinates policies and programs related to international child abduction. In this respect, it is the U.S. Central Authority under the terms of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption.

With respect to international adoptions, the agency coordinates policy and provides potential parents with information on international adoption. It does not intervene on behalf of individuals in foreign courts because, as it claims, adoption is an issue of judicial sovereignty within the country where the child resides. However, it is able to offer general information and help with regard to the adoption process in over 60 countries.

In its role as the United States' Central Authority with respect to the Hague Abduction Convention, the Office is responsible for taking action in cases involving international child abduction. The Office also provides information in response to inquiries about international child abduction, visitation rights and abduction prevention techniques. Like other Central Authorities around the world, it's responsible for working closely with other agencies and Central Authorities to ensure the speedy return of children under the Hague Convention.