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Travel.State.Gov > International Parental Child Abduction > Country Information > Turkey International Parental Child Abduction Information

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Travel.State.Gov > International Parental Child Abduction > Country Information > Turkey International Parental Child Abduction Information

Turkey

Turkey
Türkiye
Exercise increased caution to Türkiye due to terrorism, armed conflict, and arbitrary detentions. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. An area of increased risk was updated. Advisory summary was updated to reflect changes to the U.S. mission operations.

Exercise increased caution to Türkiye due to terrorism, armed conflict, and arbitrary detentions. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

  • Do not travel to southeast Türkiye due to risk of terrorism and armed conflict.

Advisory Summary

On March 9, 2026, the Department of State ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members to leave Consulate General Adana due to the safety risks.  Americans in southeast Türkiye are strongly encouraged to depart now.

The U.S. Consulate Adana has suspended all consular services. Americans should contact the U.S. Embassy Ankara or the U.S. Consulate General Istanbul for consular services.

Terrorism

There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Türkiye. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more.

  • Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Türkiye.
  • Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations.
  • Be cautious in transportation hubs, markets, malls, and government buildings, as well as hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, and parks. Be careful in airports and at major events.

Arbitrary Detentions

  • The Turkish government detains and arrests individuals, including U.S. citizens, for alleged links to terrorist groups based on scant evidence and minimal due process.
  • U.S. citizens have also been subject to exit bans that prevent them from departing Türkiye.
  • Protests not approved by the Turkish government can lead to arrest, as can criticizing the government, including on social media.

Risks in specific areas

Level 4: Do not travel

Southeast Türkiye

Do not travel to southeast Türkiye due to risk of terrorism and armed conflict.

Following the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran on February 28, there has been a threat of Iranian missile attack. On March 4, NATO air defenses destroyed an Iranian ballistic missile headed into Turkish airspace.

Do not travel to southeast Türkiye due to risks associated with armed conflict in neighboring countries.  Southeast Türkiye includes the provinces of Adana, Adiyaman, Batman, Bingol, Bitlis, Diyarbakir, Elazig, Gaziantep, Hakkari, Hatay, Icel, Kilis, Kahramanmaras, Malatya, Mardin, Mus, Osmaniye, Siirt, Sanliurfa, Sirnak, Tunceli and Van.

There are heightened risks of anti-Western, specifically anti-U.S. or anti-Israel, sentiment.  There is continued threat of attacks by terrorist groups.

U.S. government employees are subject to travel restrictions in the entire southeast region since the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran on February 28, 2026.

On March 9, 2026, the Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members to leave Consulate General Adana due to the safety risks.  Americans in southeast Türkiye are strongly encouraged to depart now.

The U.S. Consulate Adana has suspended all consular services.  Americans should contact the U.S. Embassy Ankara or the U.S. Consulate General Istanbul for consular services, including emergency assistance.  Americans may also call the State Department 24/7 at +1-202-501-4444 to request emergency assistance.  

If you decide to travel to Türkiye:  

  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
  • Review our information on Terrorism and Travel to High-Risk Areas. 
  • Have a plan to leave in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis Response and Evacuations.
  • Review the Country Security Report for Türkiye.
  • Monitor local media for breaking news. Be prepared to adjust your plans.
  • Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
  • Develop a communication plan with family, your employer, or host organization. Plan together how and when you'll confirm you are safe (text or call).   
  • Keep travel documents up to date and easy to access.
  • Stay aware of your surroundings.  
  • Stay alert especially in tourist spots.
  • Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Türkiye.
  • Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist.
  • We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.
... [READ MORE]

Hague Convention Participation

Party to the Hague Abduction Convention?
Yes
U.S. Treaty Partner under the Hague Abduction Convention?
Yes
Learn why the Hague Abduction Convention Matters.

What You Can Do

Learn how to respond to abductions FROM the US
Learn how to respond to abductions TO the US
ALL / ALL /

U.S. Embassy Ankara

1480 Sok No:1 Cukurambar Mah 
Cankaya 06530, Ankara
Turkey
Telephone: +(90) (312) 294-0000 (emergencies only)
Fax: +(90) (312) 232-7472
Contact American Citizen Services Ankara

Consulates

U.S. Consulate General Istanbul
Istinye Mahallesi, Üç Şehitler Sokak No.2
Istinye 34460 – Istanbul, Turkey
Telephone: +(90) (212) 335-9000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(90) (212) 335-9000
Fax: +(90) (212) 335-9102
Contact American Citizen Services Istanbul

U.S. Consulate Adana
Girne Bulvari No. 212,
Güzelevler Mahallesi, Yüregir
Adana, Turkey
Telephone: +(90) (322) 455-4100
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(90) (322) 455-4100
Fax: +(90)(322) 455-4141
Contact American Citizen Services Adana

U.S. Consular Agent - Izmir
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(90) (312) 455-5555
Izmir@state.gov

Turkey and the United States have been treaty partners under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention) since August 1, 2000.

For information concerning travel to Turkey, including information about the location of the U.S. Embassy, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, entry/exit requirements, safety and security, crime, medical facilities and health information, traffic safety, road conditions and aviation safety, please see country-specific information for Turkey.

The U.S. Department of State reports statistics and compliance information for individual countries in the Annual Report on International Child Abduction. The report is located here.

The U.S. Department of State serves as the U.S. Central Authority (USCA) for the Hague Abduction Convention.  In this capacity, the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Children’s Issues facilitates the submission of applications under the Hague Abduction Convention for the return of, or access to, children located in countries that are U.S. treaty partners, including Turkey.  Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance prior to initiating the Hague process directly with the foreign Central Authority.

Contact information:

United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children’s Issues
2201 C Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20520
Telephone:  1-888-407-4747
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444
Fax: 202-485-6221
Website

The Turkish Central Authority for the Hague Abduction Convention is the Ministry of Justice.  The Ministry of Justice has an administrative role in processing Hague Abduction Convention applications. The Ministry of Justice forwards completed Hague applications to the appropriate Public Prosecutor attached to the civil court of general jurisdiction in the jurisdiction where the defendant resides.  Parents or legal guardians and other parties (e.g., the child) have the right to their own counsel.  The Turkish Central Authority can be reached at:

Turkish Ministry of Justice
General Directorate of International Law and Foreign Relations
Mustafa Kemal Mah. 2151.Cad. No:34/A  
Söğütözü, ANKARA
Telephone: +90-312-218-7801
Facsimile:  +90-312-219-4523
Email: uhdigm@adalet.gov.tr

To initiate a Hague case for return of, or access to, a child in Turkey, a parent or legal guardian is encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and instructions for completing the Hague application form located at the Department of State website and contact the Department of State for assistance prior to initiating the Hague process directly with the foreign Central Authority.  It is extremely important that each document written in English be translated into Turkish.  Please note, however, that certified translations are not necessary.  Any competent person or organization may translate the documents.  The USCA is available to answer questions about the Hague application process, to forward a completed application to the Turkish Central Authority, and to subsequently monitor its progress through the foreign administrative and legal processes. 

There are no fees for filing Hague applications with either the United States or Turkish central authorities. Attorney fees, if necessary, are the responsibility of the applicant parent. Additional costs may include airplane tickets for court appearances and for the return of the child, if so ordered.

A parent or legal guardian may file an application under the Hague Abduction Convention for return to the United States of a child abducted to, or wrongfully retained in, Turkey.  The U.S. Department of State can assist parents living in the United States to understand whether the Convention is an available civil remedy and can provide information on the process for submitting a Hague application.

A person may file an application under the Hague Abduction Convention for access to a child living in Turkey.  The criteria for acceptance of a Hague access application vary from country to country.  The U.S. Department of State can assist parents living in the United States to understand country-specific criteria and provide information on the process for submitting a Hague application.

In a Hague Abduction Convention case, it is not mandatory for a petitioner to retain a private attorney, because the Turkish Central Authority will assign a Public Prosecutor to present the case to the court.  However, the Public Prosecutor does not represent the left-behind parent who submitted the Hague Abduction Convention application; instead, the Prosecutor represents Turkey and submits the request for return on behalf of the Turkish Central Authority.  The parent or legal guardian who has submitted the application may hire a private attorney in Turkey to join the Prosecutor in presenting the Hague Abduction Convention case.  A privately hired attorney should contact the Turkish Central Authority as soon as possible after the Hague Abduction Convention application has been filed with the Turkish Central Authority.

The U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, posts a list of attorneys including those who specialize in family law at.

This list is provided as a courtesy service only and does not constitute an endorsement of any individual attorney. The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the persons or firms included in this list. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers.

The Office of Children’s Issues is not aware of any government or private organizations in Turkey that offer mediation services for custody disputes. 

Exercising Custody Rights

While travelling in a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country. It is important for parents to understand that, although a left-behind parent in the United States may have custody or visitation rights pursuant to a U.S. custody order, that order may not be valid and enforceable in the country in which the child is located.  For this reason, we strongly encourage you to speak to a local attorney if planning to remove a child from a foreign country without the consent of the other parent.  Attempts to remove your child to the United States may:

  • Endanger your child and others;
  • Prejudice any future judicial efforts; and
  • Could result in your arrest and imprisonment.

The U.S. government cannot interfere with another country’s court or law enforcement system.

To understand the legal effect of a U.S. order in a foreign country, a parent should consult with a local attorney in the country in which the child is located.  

For information about hiring an attorney abroad, see our section on Retaining a Foreign Attorney. 

Although we cannot recommend an attorney to you, most U.S. Embassies have lists of attorneys available online. Please visit the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for a full listing.

For more information on consular assistance for U.S. citizens arrested abroad, please see our website.

Country officers are available to speak with you Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  For assistance with an abduction in progress or any emergency situation that occurs after normal business hours, on weekends, or federal holidays, please call toll free at 1-888-407-4747. See all contact information.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this flyer is provided for general information only, is not intended to be legal advice, and may change without notice. Questions involving interpretation of law should be addressed to an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. 

 

Last Updated: October 11, 2018

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Ankara
1480 Sok No:1 Cukurambar Mah Cankaya 06530, Ankara
Telephone
90-312-294-0000 (emergencies only)
Emergency
Fax
90-312-232-7472
Email
Website
https://tr.usembassy.gov/

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