41B.19 Certificate - Protection Of Children (Hague Convention) Act 2000

What this form is for

• • Use for international child abduction cases where Ireland is involved
• • Required when seeking the return of a child to their country of habitual residence
• • Necessary when establishing wrongful removal or retention under the Hague Convention
• • Not for domestic custody disputes within Ireland
• • Different from other Hague Convention forms that deal with specific aspects like access rights

Use this form or another form?

Deadline or filing window

There is no specific deadline for submitting this form, but it should be filed as soon as possible after discovering the wrongful removal or retention of the child to maximize the chances of a timely resolution.

Before you submit

• • All sections completed with no blank spaces
• • Child's full birth certificate included
• • Documentation of child's habitual residence provided
• • Evidence of wrongful removal or retention attached
• • Correct court jurisdiction identified
• • Form signed and witnessed if required
• • Copy retained for personal records

How to file this form

1. 1Obtain the official 41B.19 form from the Courts Service website or court office
2. 2Complete all sections with accurate information about the child, parents, and circumstances
3. 3Gather supporting documentation including birth certificates and evidence of habitual residence
4. 4Have the form witnessed if required by court rules
5. 5Submit to the appropriate family court handling international child abduction cases
6. 6Pay any required court fees
7. 7Obtain proof of submission from the court

Known limitations

• • Does not resolve underlying custody disputes
• • Limited to cases covered by the Hague Convention
• • Cannot be used if more than one year has passed since abduction without exceptions
• • Requires that child was habitually resident in another country before abduction
• • Court may refuse return if grave risk of harm exists