How we work with clients in Guangzhou
Our Guangzhou office in Tianhe helps foreign residents, international traders and their families, and overseas Chinese with family ties in Guangdong through divorce, custody, property and inheritance matters. We also serve clients in Foshan and Zhuhai from here.
Family law in GuangzhouWhich court handles it in Guangzhou?
Divorce, custody and child-support cases are generally heard first by the basic (district) people's court where the defendant is domiciled — for example the courts of Tianhe, Yuexiu, Haizhu, Liwan, Baiyun or Panyu districts. If the defendant does not live in mainland China, the court of the plaintiff's domicile can often hear a divorce.
Recognition of foreign divorce judgments, and applications under the Hong Kong–Mainland matrimonial arrangement, go to the Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court, which also hears appeals from the district courts.
How international child abduction & relocation works with us in Guangzhou
- 1
Confidential first call
A free 30-minute consultation (at our Guangzhou office or by video) to understand your situation and goals.
- 2
Strategy & written quote
Your options, the evidence needed, a realistic timeline and costs — fixed fees wherever the scope is defined.
- 3
Preparation & filing
We draft the documents, gather evidence and file with the competent court or registry for Guangzhou.
- 4
Negotiation, mediation or trial
We represent you throughout and report in English or Chinese at every step, through to enforcement.
International child abduction and China: what parents need to know
Few situations are as frightening as a child being taken across a border without your agreement, or the fear that it might happen. International child abduction involving China is particularly difficult because the usual international return mechanism does not apply to mainland China. This page explains, as of 2026, what the law does and does not offer, how to reduce the risk, what to do urgently, and how to relocate abroad lawfully with a child after divorce.
Mainland China is not a party to the Hague Child Abduction Convention
The 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction allows a parent to seek the prompt return of a child wrongfully taken to another member country. However:
- Mainland China is not a party to the Convention.
- Hong Kong and Macau are parties, so the Convention can apply to a child taken to or from Hong Kong or Macau, subject to the other country's status.
This means there is no Hague return application for a child taken to the mainland. A foreign court order for return is not automatically enforceable in mainland China. Remedies instead come from custody proceedings in Chinese courts, negotiation and mediation, and, above all, prevention. See our glossary entry on the Hague Child Abduction Convention.
International Child Abduction & Relocation in Guangzhou: FAQs
Do I need to meet a lawyer in person in Guangzhou for international child abduction & relocation?
No. Many clients meet us at our Guangzhou office, but most of the work can be done by video, phone, email, WeChat or WhatsApp — including for clients living outside China. Court hearings and some registry steps may still require attendance, and we tell you early exactly when that is.
Do I need to come to your Guangzhou office in person?
No. You are welcome in Tianhe, but many clients work with us entirely by video, email, WeChat or WhatsApp. For most court matters a notarised and apostilled power of attorney lets us act on your behalf. Registry divorces are the main exception — both spouses must attend.
My spouse and I married outside China. Can we divorce at a Guangzhou registry?
Generally not. Registry divorce usually requires the marriage to have been registered in mainland China. Couples who married abroad normally need to divorce through the court — even if they agree on everything, the court can confirm their agreement by mediation.
Is China part of the Hague Child Abduction Convention?
Mainland China is not a party to the 1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention. Hong Kong and Macau are. This means there is no Hague return process for a child taken to the mainland.
What can I do if my child has been taken to mainland China?
Act quickly. The main options are custody proceedings in a Chinese court, negotiation and mediation with the other parent, and support from your embassy. A foreign return order is not automatically enforceable on the mainland, so local legal advice is essential.
How can I stop my spouse from taking our child to China?
Prevention is key: obtain a custody order or agreement requiring written consent for travel, control the child's passports, ask your local court about orders prohibiting removal, and use passport alert schemes where available.
Can I move abroad with my child after divorce in China?
Yes, if the other parent consents in writing or a court approves it. Without consent, you may need to ask the court to modify custody or visitation. Moving without consent can harm your position and may amount to wrongful removal in other countries.
Related guides
Can My Spouse Take Our Child to China? Abduction Risk and the Hague Convention
Mainland China is not a party to the Hague Child Abduction Convention. What that means if your spouse takes your child to China, how to reduce the risk, and what remedies exist.
Read the guideIs China Part of the Hague Convention? Child Abduction, Apostille and Service Explained
It depends which Hague Convention you mean. Mainland China is not party to the Child Abduction Convention (Hong Kong and Macao are), but has applied the Apostille Convention since 7 November 2023 and the Service Convention since 1992.
Read the guideDual Nationality and the Children of International Couples in China
China does not recognise dual nationality, yet many children of international couples hold two passports. How Chinese nationality is decided at birth, what the Chinese travel document is for, and why nationality matters in custody and relocation.
Read the guide