The Convention of 23 November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance (HCCH 2007 Child Support Convention) and the Protocol of 23 November 2007 on the Law Applicable to Maintenance Obligations (HCCH 2007 Maintenance Obligations Protocol) seek to establish a modern, efficient and accessible international system for the cross-border recovery of child support and other forms of family maintenance. This specialised section contains a range of information on the Convention and the Protocol, including their full texts, current status, explanatory documents and other materials which will assist those working with these instruments.

COVID-19 – Child support authorities operational status (DIJuF Info.)

Please note that the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH has no mandate to assist in individual cases of the international recovery of child support and family maintenance cases. If you have a question relating to the international recovery of child support or other forms of family maintenance, and your country is bound by the HCCH 2007 Child Support Convention or the HCCH 2007 Maintenance Obligations Protocol, please contact the Central Authority designated by your country. 

Explanatory documents (Convention):

  • Explanatory Report, drawn up by Alegría Borrás and Jennifer Degeling with the assistance of William Duncan and Philippe Lortie

Explanatory documents (Protocol):

Mandatory and Recommended Forms:

Implementation tools (Convention):

Country Profiles (Convention):

Practical Handbooks:

Special Commissions:

iSupport Project:

1956 New York Convention:

Preparatory work and other information:

Bibliography (Convention)

Bibliography (Protocol)