Worldwide Caution: Following the launch of U.S. combat operations in Iran, Americans worldwide and especially in the Middle East should follow the guidance in the latest security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Americans in the Middle East: : For consular information or assistance, call the Department of State’s 24/7 Task Force at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad) and 1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S. and Canada). View more.

Travel.State.Gov

Popular Links

Stay Connected

Legal Resources

Travel.State.Gov US Department of State Homepage
Travel.State.Gov > International Parental Child Abduction > Country Information > Azerbaijan International Parental Child Abduction Information

International Parental Child Abduction

English

Country Information

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

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan
Republic of Azerbaijan
Reconsider Travel to Azerbaijan due to terrorism, armed conflict, and risk of landmines. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

The advisory level was increased to 3. There were no changes to the risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated.

Reconsider Travel to Azerbaijan due to terrorism, armed conflict, and risk of landmines. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do not travel to:

  • The southern border region due to risk of armed conflict (unless this is your best overland exit from Iran).
  • The border with Armenia due to risk of landmines.
  • The former Soviet-era Nagorno Karabakh Autonomous Oblast and surrounding territories due to landmines.

Advisory Summary

Armed Conflict
Following the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran on February 28, there has been an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran and a March 5 drone strike on Nakhchivan International Airport. Commercial flights have also been seriously disrupted.

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

Terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and are a risk in Azerbaijan. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They may target:

  • Tourist locations
  • Transportation centers (airports)
  • Markets and shopping malls
  • Local government buildings
  • Hotels, clubs and restaurants
  • Places of worship
  • Parks
  • Major sporting and cultural events
  • Educational institutionsOther public areas

Risks in specific areas
Level 4 – Do not travel

Border with Iran
Do not travel to the southern border region due to risk of armed conflict (unless this is your best overland exit from Iran).

Following the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran on February 28, there has been an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran. U.S. citizens should avoid the southern border area unless this is your best overland exit from Iran.

Border with Armenia
Do not Travel to the border with Armenia due to the risk of landmines

Landmines and unexploded ordnance exist throughout this region. Many of them are not marked, so it can be hard to know where they are.

Exercise a high degree of caution on roads near the Azerbaijan-Armenia border:

  • Be aware that some portions of the road may cross international boundaries without notice.
  • Roads may be controlled by checkpoints or closed to travelers without notice.

The U.S. government is unable to provide immediate emergency assistance to U.S. citizens because U.S. government employees working in Azerbaijan are prohibited from non-official travel to the border region. 

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Do not travel to the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast and surrounding territories due to landmines.

  • Following armed hostilities in 2023, the former Soviet-era Nagorno Karabakh Autonomous Oblast and surrounding territories are under the control of Azerbaijan.
  • Despite the cessation of fighting, the dangers posed by landmine contamination continue.
  • Landmines and unexploded ordnance exist throughout this region. Many of them are not marked, so it can be hard to know where they are.
  • The U.S. government is unable to provide immediate emergency services to U.S. citizens in the former Soviet-era Nagorno Karabakh Autonomous Oblast and surrounding territories because U.S. government employees need approval to travel there.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

If you decide to travel to Azerbaijan:

... [READ MORE]

Hague Convention Participation

Party to the Hague Abduction Convention?
No
U.S. Treaty Partner under the Hague Abduction Convention?
No
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 Baku

111 Azadliq Prospekti
AZ1007 Baku, Azerbaijan
Telephone: +994-12-488-3300
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +994-12-488-3300
Fax: +994-12-488-3695
Email: BakuACS@state.gov

For information concerning travel to Azerbaijan, 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 Azerbaijan.

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. 

Azerbaijan is not a signatory to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention), nor are there any bilateral agreements in force between Azerbaijan and the United States concerning international parental child abduction. 

Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country. Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney in Azerbaijan who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances. 

The Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Children's Issues provides assistance in cases of international parental child abduction. For U.S. citizen parents whose children have been wrongfully removed to, or retained in, countries that are not U.S. partners under the Hague Abduction Convention, the Office of Children's Issues can provide information and resources about country-specific options for pursuing the return of or access to an abducted child. The Office of Children's Issues may also coordinate with appropriate foreign and U.S. government authorities about the welfare of abducted U.S. citizen children.

Contact information:

Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children's
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Telephone:  1-888-407-4747
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444
Fax: 202-485-6221
Website
Email: EuropeIPCA@state.gov

Parental child abduction may be considered a crime in Azerbaijan depending on the circumstances surrounding the child's removal. Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney in Azerbaijan to determine if their particular case qualifies as a crime under Azerbaijani law.

Parents may wish to consult with an attorney in the United States and in the country to which the child has been removed or retained to learn more about how filing criminal charges may impact a custody case in the foreign court. Please see Possible Solutions - Pressing Criminal Charges for more information. 

Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country.  Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney in Azerbaijan who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances.

The Office of Children's Issues may be able to assist parents seeking access to children who have been wrongfully removed from, or retained outside, the United States.   Parents who are seeking access to children who were not wrongfully removed from or retained outside the United States should contact the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Azerbaijan for information and possible assistance.

Neither the Office of Children's Issues nor consular officials at the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan are authorized to provide legal advice.

The U.S. Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan, posts a list of attorneys, including those who specialize in family law.

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 following persons or firms. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers.

In March 2019, Azerbaijan adopted a Law on Mediation that may require mediation before bringing an action in the courts.  Consult an attorney in Azerbaijan for more information.

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 21, 2019

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Baku
111 Azadliq Prospecti
AZ1007 Baku, Azerbaijan
Telephone
+(994) (12) 488-3300
Emergency
+(994) (12) 488-3300
Fax
No Fax
Email
ConsularBaku@state.gov
Website
https://az.usembassy.gov/

Azerbaijan Map

View Larger Map

Travel.State.Gov
Popular Links

Stay Connected

Legal Resources

Privacy | Accessibility | Copyright & Disclaimer | FOIA | GSA | No FEAR Act Data | Office of the Inspector General | USA.gov | USA.gov/espanol |
This site is managed by the U.S. Department of State. External links to other Internet sites and listings of private entities on this page are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as the U.S. Department of State or U.S. government endorsement of the entity, its views, the products or services it provides, or the accuracy of information contained therein. The order in which names appear has no significance, and the listings or links may be removed at any time at the discretion of the Department.