Enforcement of child support payments from abroad: the 2007 Hague Convention

The 2007 Hague Convention is an international agreement that makes it possible to recover child support when the payer resides in another country.

It helps to:

1. recover child support payments;
2. enforce a Ukrainian court decision abroad;
3. avoid complex court procedures in a foreign country.

How it works

The procedure is carried out through so-called Central Authorities. You do not need to apply directly to a foreign court or search for a lawyer abroad. The necessary formalities are handled by public authorities.

1.You submit an application in the country where you currently reside.

2.The Central Authority of that country:

1. receives your documents;
2. assists with the preparation of the application;
3. forwards it to Ukraine or another country where the debtor resides.

3.The case is then transferred to the competent authority in the debtor’s country.

4.The enforcement procedure is initiated.

5.The recovered funds are transferred to you.

Important! You do not need to travel to Ukraine to submit an application. You work through the authorities of the country where you are currently residing, and the procedure is generally free of charge or involves only minimal costs.

States Parties to the Convention

As of June 2026, the Convention is in force for 56 States Parties. Below is a list of countries where Ukraine may seek recognition and enforcement of its court decisions under this mechanism.

European Union Member States (27 States bound through the European Union since 1 August 2014)

1. Austria
2. Netherlands
3. Belgium
4. Germany
5. Bulgaria
6. Poland
7. Greece
8. Portugal
9. Denmark
10. Romania
11. Estonia
12. Slovakia
13. Ireland
14. Slovenia
15. Spain
16. Hungary
17. Italy
18. Finland
19. Cyprus
20. France
21. Latvia
22. Croatia
23. Lithuania
24. Czech Republic
25. Luxembourg
26. Sweden
27. Malta

Other European States

1. Albania
2. Serbia
3. Bosnia and Herzegovina
4. Switzerland
5. Norway

Americas

1. Brazil
2. Colombia
3. Dominican Republic
4. El Salvador
5. Ecuador
6. United States of America
7. Canada (Manitoba, Ontario, British Columbia)

Asia and Oceania

1. Azerbaijan
2. Kazakhstan
3. Georgia
4. New Zealand

Africa

1. Botswana
2. Cabo Verde
3. Burkina Faso

Other States

1. Belarus
2. Türkiye
3. Monaco
4. Ukraine
5. Paraguay

Step-by-Step Guide

Below is a general algorithm for an applicant residing in Ukraine who has a final Ukrainian court decision on child support against a debtor residing in one of the States Parties to the Convention.

Step 1. Check Whether the Convention Covers Your Situation

Before starting the procedure, ensure that:

1. the debtor’s country of residence is a State Party to the Convention;
2. child support is sought for a child under the age of 21 (or under 18 if the requested State has made a reservation), or the claim concerns spousal maintenance linked to a child support claim;
3. the Ukrainian court decision has entered into legal force.

Step 2. Obtain Properly Certified Court Documents

You should obtain from the court that issued the decision:

1. a certified paper copy of the court decision bearing confirmation that it has entered into legal force;
2. the original or a certified copy of the writ of execution.

Step 3. Obtain an Apostille

Each court document must be apostilled by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. The apostille confirms the authenticity of the signature and official seal and is sufficient for most States Parties without additional consular legalisation.

An apostille may be requested online or in person through the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. A separate apostille is required for each document.

Step 4. Obtain a Notarised Translation

All apostilled documents must be translated into the official language of the country where the respondent resides, or into another language accepted by that country. Most States Parties accept English-language translations.Translations must be prepared by a sworn translator or a translator authorised in accordance with notarial requirements. Before ordering a translation, verify the language requirements of the relevant country through the HCCH Register or the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.

Step 5. Prepare the Document Package

The standard package includes:

1. court decision with confirmation of legal force + apostille + translation;
2. writ of execution + apostille + translation;
3. copy of the applicant’s passport;
4. certificate confirming the applicant’s place of residence in Ukraine;
5. child’s birth certificate + apostille + translation;
6. information about the debtor’s last known place of residence or employment;
7. marriage certificate or divorce certificate, where applicable, + apostille + translation;
8. calculation of arrears, if accumulated debt is being claimed;
9. bank account details for transferring recovered funds.

Step 6. Complete the Standard Application Form

The Hague Convention provides standard application forms. For the recognition and enforcement of an existing decision, the relevant application form for recognition and enforcement is used. The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine can provide guidance and the required forms. Applicants may contact the Department of International Law and International Legal Assistance of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.

Step 7. Submit the Package to the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine

The completed and signed package should be submitted to the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine either in person or by post.

As the Central Authority under the Convention, the Ministry:

1. verifies the completeness and correctness of the documents;
2. forwards the package to the Central Authority of the requested State;
3. monitors the transfer process and communicates with the foreign authority when necessary.

Step 8. Review and Enforcement by the Foreign Central Authority

After receiving the application package, the Central Authority of the country where the debtor resides:

1. verifies compliance with the Convention requirements;
2. initiates recognition of the decision within its jurisdiction, where required, without the applicant’s participation;
3. transfers the case to enforcement authorities;
4. undertakes compulsory enforcement measures, including wage garnishment, seizure of bank accounts, and enforcement against property;
5. transfers recovered funds to the applicant’s account.

Specific considerations for certain regions

European Union Member States

Relations between Ukraine and EU Member States are governed by the 2007 Hague Convention rather than Council Regulation (EC) No 4/2009, since Ukraine is not a member of the European Union. In practice, however, the procedure is similar and operates through Central Authorities. Most EU Member States accept English-language translations.

United States and Canada

In the United States, the Central Authority functions are performed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), while in practice child support agencies at the state level handle enforcement. Canada acceded to the Convention in 2024. Its application currently extends only to three provinces: Manitoba, Ontario, and British Columbia. For both countries, applicants should verify specific documentary requirements.

Azerbaijan and Belarus

These countries have made language reservations. Only translations into the relevant national language are accepted (Azerbaijani and Belarusian/Russian respectively). Applicants should verify current requirements with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.

If the debtor resides in a non-contracting state

In such cases, the 2007 Hague Convention mechanism does not apply. Possible alternatives include:

1. a bilateral treaty on legal assistance in civil matters between Ukraine and the relevant state;
2. the 1956 United Nations Convention on the Recovery Abroad of Maintenance, which covers a broader range of countries but provides a less effective mechanism;
3. direct application to a foreign court, which generally requires representation by a local lawyer.

Conclusion and useful contacts

The 2007 Hague Convention helps parents recover child support when the other parent resides abroad. It is designed so that individuals do not have to navigate the process alone, as the key procedural steps are carried out by public authorities. In most cases, the procedure is free of charge and does not require hiring a lawyer in another country.

Central authority in Ukraine

1. Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, Department of International Law and International Legal Assistance
2. Address: 13 Horodetskoho Street, Kyiv, 01001, Ukraine
3. Website: minjust.gov.ua

Official resources

1. States Parties Register and Central Authorities: hcch.net (Convention No. 38)
2. Country Profiles and Language Requirements: hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/specialised-sections/child-support
3. Application Forms: available through the HCCH website and the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.

If you need legal advice regarding the recovery of child support from abroad, you can book an online consultation with a lawyer via this link.