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International Parental Child Abduction > Country Information > Democratic Republic of the Congo International Parental Child Abduction Information
Updated due to changes to the Travel Advisory level, U.S. government restrictions on personnel, and information on armed conflict in North and South Kivu.
Reconsider travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) due to crime, and civil unrest. Some areas have increased risk due to armed conflict. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Do Not Travel To:
Country Summary: Violent crime is common. This includes armed robbery, armed home invasion, and assault. Local police lack the resources to respond to serious crime in a timely and adequate manner. Assailants may pose as police or security agents. DRC law enforcement does not always inform the U.S. embassy when they arrest a U.S. citizen. They may also delay access to detained or charged U.S. citizens. DRC law enforcement has used violence and threats during interrogations.
Demonstrations are common in many cities, and some have turned violent. Police may respond with force, resulting in deaths and arrests. Looting, assault, traffic obstruction, property damage, and other violent actions occur when police don't respond in a timely manner, or at all.
The U.S. government cannot provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens outside of Kinshasa due to poor infrastructure and security risks. Due to the risks in the country, minor dependents cannot accompany U.S. government employees who work in the DRC.
Review the country information page for additional information on travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
If you decide to travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo:
North and South Kivu Provinces – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Active fighting is ongoing between armed groups and government military forces in the Kivu provinces; the M23 armed group is occupying major cities of Goma and Bukavu. Missiles and armed drones have been used in the conflict. The fighting has forced thousands of people from their homes which can cause instability in the province.
Violent crime is common throughout the Kivu provinces. This includes murder, rape, kidnapping, and pillaging. Road travelers are common targets for ambush, armed robbery, and kidnapping.
Terrorist and armed groups operate in the Kivu provinces. They have attacked military and civilian targets. This includes aid workers, businesspeople, and other NGO staff in the area.
There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in North and South Kivu provinces. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more.
Demonstrations and large gatherings can occur throughout the region, especially in urban areas. Mobs can form rapidly and turn violent, posing a threat to bystanders.
Due to the security risks, U.S. government employees working in the DRC must obtain special authorization to travel to North and South Kivu Provinces. Due to the risks, the U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in the Kivu provinces.
Do not travel to these areas for any reason.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Ituri Province – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Violent crime continues throughout Ituri province. This includes murder, rape, kidnapping, and pillaging. Road travelers are common targets for ambush, armed robbery, and kidnapping.
Terrorist and armed groups operate in Ituri province. They have targeted both military and civilian sites. This includes humanitarian aid workers and other NGO staff in the area.
There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Ituri province. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more.
Demonstrations and large gatherings can occur throughout these regions, especially in urban areas. Mobs can form rapidly and turn violent, posing a threat to bystanders.
Armed groups, individuals, and military forces routinely clash with each other. Civilians are frequently targeted in attacks.
Due to the security risks, U.S. government employees working in the DRC must obtain special authorization to travel to Ituri province. Due to the risks, the U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Ituri province.
Do not travel to these areas for any reason.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Tanganyika, Haut Lomami, and the 3 Kasai Provinces – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Violent crime like murder, rape, kidnapping, and robbery are common in these areas:
Road travelers are common targets for ambush, armed robbery, and kidnapping.
Demonstrations and large gatherings can occur throughout these regions, especially in urban areas. Mobs can form rapidly and turn violent, posing a threat to bystanders.
Armed groups, individuals, and military forces routinely clash with each other. Civilians are frequently targeted in attacks.
Due to the security risks, U.S. government employees working in the DRC must obtain special authorization to travel to eastern DRC Region and the 3 Kasai provinces. Due to the risks, the U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in eastern DRC Region and the 3 Kasai provinces.
Do not travel to these areas for any reason.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Mai-Ndombe Province – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Violence in Mai-Ndombe is rising. There are also more police and military in the area, especially along the Route Nationale 17. Government security officials may limit travel for U.S. citizens when violence rises. Activity of armed groups could block passenger and freight traffic on regional routes in the province. Protests can occur without warning.
Due to the security risks, U.S. government employees working in the DRC must obtain special authorization to travel to Mai-Ndombe province. Due to the risks, the U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Mai-Ndombe province.
Do not travel to these areas for any reason.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas
310 Avenue des Aviateurs
Kinshasa/Gombe
Telephone: +(243) 081-556-0151 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(243) 081-556-0151
Email: ACSKinshasa@state.gov
For information concerning travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 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 the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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 Democratic Republic of the Congo 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 the Democratic Republic of the Congo 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 who specializes in family law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and 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. Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance.
Contact information:
U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children's
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Website: childabduction.state.gov
Email: AfricaIPCA@state.gov.
Parental child abduction is a crime in the Democratic Republic of the Congo according to the Law on Child Protection of 2009, Article 131.
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 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 who specializes in family law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and 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 the Democratic Republic of the Congo for information and possible assistance.
Neither the Office of Children’s Issues nor consular officials at the U.S. Embassy or Consulates in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are authorized to provide legal advice.
The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa 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 persons or firms included in this list. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers.
U.S. Department of State is not aware of any government agencies or non-governmental organizations that offer mediation programs.
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:
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.
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