International Cases Under the Hague Child Support Convention

The 2007 Hague Child Support Convention — implemented in the U.S. in 2017 — connects member countries so a support order can cross borders.

How it works

Member nations commit to recognizing foreign support orders, offering simplified applications to establish, modify, or enforce, and using standardized forms. You apply through your local child support agency with the convention forms — transmittals, certified order copies, a sworn arrears statement, and translations.

Recognition and reality

A foreign court reviews the application for basic defenses (jurisdiction, an already-satisfied order); if approved, enforcement uses local tools — wage garnishment, bank seizures, liens — without relitigating the facts. Expect months, not weeks, and improve your odds with complete documentation, arrears calculated "as of" a specific date, professional translations, and follow-up within 90 days. Domestically, UIFSA's continuing-exclusive-jurisdiction rules still govern modification.

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