At a glance
Points of service
Digital provision points
- The service is not provided digitally
Number of required documents
Fees
Provided without cost
Estimated Time
70 days
Description
Basic information
Competent body
Service / organizational unit of a authority entity
Last update
14/04/2025
Application
Application Type
Submission by:
Submitted by:
Title
Notes:
What you will need
Means of authentication, identification and signature
Identification document
-
1
1
Child’s birth certificate. ...
Birth certificate (Census)
Child’s birth certificate.
Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (digital), Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Submitted by: Persons
-
2
2
A photograph of the child and of the parent who is alleged to have wrongfully removed or retained it ...
Photograph
A photograph of the child and of the parent who is alleged to have wrongfully removed or retained it.
Relevant link: Link
Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (digital), Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Submitted by: Persons
Relevant Procedure: MyPhoto for citizens
-
6
3
Documents proving the habitual residence of the child before the wrongful removal or retention (e.g. ...
Certificate
Documents proving the habitual residence of the child before the wrongful removal or retention (e.g. certificate of attendance at school, certificate from an attending physician).
Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (digital), Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Submitted by: Persons
-
7
4
Proof of the child’s identity (e.g. passport) ...
Identification document
Proof of the child’s identity (e.g. passport)
Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (digital), Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Submitted by: Persons
-
8
5
Authorisation to the Central Authority of the requested state to act on behalf of the applicant. ...
Enabling act
Authorisation to the Central Authority of the requested state to act on behalf of the applicant.
Relevant link: Link
Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (digital), Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Submitted by: Persons
-
3
6
Marriage certificate (where available). ...
Municipal Certificates (conditional)
Marriage certificate (where available).
Relevant link: Link
Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (digital), Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Submitted by: Persons
Document submitted under requirements: Yes
Document’s requirement: Family
-
4
7
Copy of divorce ruling (where applicable). ...
Certificate from a court (conditional)
Copy of divorce ruling (where applicable).
Relevant link: Link
Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (digital), Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Submitted by: Persons
Document submitted under requirements: Yes
Document’s requirement: Family
-
5
8
Copy of judicial decisions on rights of custody (where applicable). ...
Certificate from a court (conditional)
Copy of judicial decisions on rights of custody (where applicable).
Relevant link: Link
Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (digital), Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Submitted by: Persons
Document submitted under requirements: Yes
Document’s requirement: Family
Output & Results
Output
Steps
-
1
Opening of procedure
-
2
Receipt of applications from citizens residing in Greece
Responsible for Implementation Competent Employee
Μethod of Implementation Manual Action
Description The Ministry of Justice receives from citizens residing in Greece applications for the return of children who are allegedly moved and illegally detained abroad.
-
3
Control of supporting documents and forwarding of applications to the foreign Central Authorities
Responsible for Implementation Competent Employee
Description The Ministry of Justice shall check whether the application has been duly completed and is accompanied by the necessary supporting documents (otherwise requesting any missing documents) and shall forward the application and the relevant supporting documents to the foreign Central Authority.
-
4
Receipt of applications from foreign Central Authorities and notification of receipt
Responsible for Implementation Competent Employee
Μethod of Implementation Software action
Description The Ministry of Justice, as a designated Central Authority (CA) for the implementation of the Hague Convention of 1980, shall receive from the relevant foreign CAs any applications filed by citizens for the return of their children who have allegedly been wrongfully removed and retained in Greece at a place other than their former habitual residence. The Ministry of Justice shall notify the foreign Central Authority as soon as possible of the receipt of such applications.
-
5
Control of supporting documents
Responsible for Implementation Competent Employee
Μethod of Implementation Inspection
Description The competent employee to whom the case has been assigned shall check whether the application has been duly completed, as well as the supporting documents attached thereto, as indicated in the ‘Supporting Documents’ section. If any supporting documents are found to be missing, the employee shall duly notify the foreign Central Authority and request the additional supporting documents.
-
6
Inquiries to discover the whereabouts of the child
Responsible for Implementation Competent Employee
Μethod of Implementation Software action
Description If the application, duly completed and accompanied by the required supporting documents, is accepted, the Ministry of Justice shall forward a request in writing to Hellenic Police Headquarters to discover the whereabouts of the child and the parent in Greece.
-
7
Forwarding or return of an application
Description If the police inquiries conclude that the child is no longer in Greece but in a different country, the Ministry of Justice shall forward the application to the Central Authority of the country where the child is located. If the inquiry proves unsuccessful, the Ministry of Justice shall return the application to the requesting Central Authority.
-
8
Additional actions
Responsible for Implementation Competent Department
Μethod of Implementation Software action
Description The Ministry of Justice may take additional actions in order to achieve the objectives of the Hague Convention of 1980, such as: facilitating an amicable resolution or the voluntary return of the child, exchanging information relating to the social background of the child with the foreign Central Authority, notifying the countrys courts of the stay of custody proceedings provided for in the Convention until a ruling on whether the child must be returned or not has been rendered.
-
9
Notification of a foreign Central Authority regarding a judicial decision
Responsible for Implementation Competent Employee
Description The Ministry of Justice shall inform the foreign Central Authority of any judicial decision rendered by a Greek court and of the applicant’s right to appeal.
Other information
Alternative titles
Official title
Languages supported
Legislation
-
Law 4020/2011 (Government Gazette 217/Α)
Description Ratification of the Convention on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children.
Legal references Link
-
Law 2102/1992 (Government Gazette 193/Α)
Description Ratification of the Hague Convention of 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
Legal references Link
-
European Regulation 2201/2003
Description Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility.
Legal references Link
Categories
Τype of procedure
Trigger
Trigger (submission method)
Type
End of Process
Ιndefinite
