The Government of the United States has designated the Office of Children’s Issues of the Department of State as its central authority for child abduction cases.

Please click here for general information on the Office of Children’s Issues and international child abduction.

The Embassy can provide you with a list of local attorneys should you require legal representation. We can also monitor the welfare of children involved in custody disputes when the child is in Cabo Verde. However, please be advised that the U.S. Embassy in Praia is limited in its authority to resolve custody disputes or demand that a child be returned to a left-behind parent. For more information please contact the Embassy at PraiaConsular@state.gov.

For specific questions please send an email to AfricaIPCA@State.gov.