The Republic of Cyprus has acceded to the Convention on the Recovery Abroad of Maintenance, signed in New York on 20 June 1956. The Ratification Law is 50/78. In implementing this convention, the Ministry of Justice and Public Order has been designated as the Central Authority and cooperates with counterpart central authorities in other Contracting States.

The object of the convention is: To facilitate the recovery of maintenance by a person who is entitled to receive it (claimant) from another person who owes maintenance (respondent) but who is located in another country.

With Cyprus’ accession to the European Union, the Republic is bound by the Council Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of decisions and cooperation in matters relating to maintenance obligations, which entered into force on 18 June 2011.

General Information

Central Authority

Ministry of Justice and Public Order
International Legal Cooperation Unit
125 Athalassas Ave.
1461 Nicosia
Cyprus

Contact points:

Ms Troodia Dionysiou
International Legal Cooperation Unit
Ministry of Justice and Public Order
Tel: (+357) 22805932
Fax: (+357) 22518328
Email: tdionysiou@mjpo.gov.cy

Ms Constandina Sophocleous
International Legal Cooperation Unit
Ministry of Justice and Public Order
Tel: (+357) 22805973
Fax: (+357) 22518328
Email: csophocleous@mjpo.gov.cy

Relevant links:

- European e-Justice Portal

- Hague Protocol of 23 November 2007

- Hague Convention

- ARCHIVED European Judicial ATLAS website (closed on 30 September 2017)

Procedure for Completing Applications for Recognition and Enforcement of a Maintenance Decision in other Member States under Regulation EC 4/2009

General information on completing applications:

A. Application for the recognition, declaration of enforceability or enforcement of a decision in matters relating to maintenance obligations (Annex VI)

- If the decision was issued after 18 June 2011, the application should be accompanied by Annex I

- If the decision was issued before 18 June 2011, the application should be accompanied by Annex II

Note that Annexes I, II, III and IV are completed by the court issuing the decision.

Part B of the application form (Annex VI) should be completed by the applicant or the applicant’s authorised representative. The applications should be accompanied by

a) the relevant Annex I, II, III or IV, along with a true copy of the court decision/ settlement or authentic instrument as appropriate,
b) the statement of maintenance arrears form,
c) a copy of the applicant’s IBAN,
d) child’s or children's birth certificate(s), etc.

Note that Part A of the application is completed by the Central Authority, i.e. the Ministry of Justice and Public Order.

Statement of maintenance arrears form up to date. The applicant should complete the statement on annual maintenance arrears. The link to this form is attached. The purpose of this non-compulsory form, available in 23 languages, is to facilitate the recovery of maintenance arrears. The form comes with a practical guide for completing it attached. The form is available in the following formats: PDF

(1093 KB)

, editable PDF

(1271 KB)

and XLS

(244 KB)

Note that to download the document in the language of the Member State to which the application will be transmitted, you should select the flag of that country on the right side of the page to change the language. In the section ‘Non-compulsory standard form on the statement of maintenance arrears’, select the ‘editable PDF’ or 'XLS(244 KB)' form.

B. Application to obtain a decision or have modified a decision in matters relating to maintenance obligations (Annex VII)

Procedure for completing an Application for Recognition and Enforcement of a Maintenance Decision to non-EU States under the Hague Convention of 23 November 2007

The link to useful information on completing applications is provided below:

https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/specialised-sections/child-support

Compulsory forms to accompany the application (provided below for easy reference).

- Transmittal Form Annex I

- Application for Recognition or Recognition and Enforcement

- Restricted Information on the Applicant

- Statement of Enforceability of a Decision

- Abstract of a Decision

- Statement of Maintenance Arrears

- Statement of Proper Notice

- Financial Circumstances Form

Procedure for completing applications for Recognition and Enforcement of a Maintenance decision by other Member States under (EC) 4/2009 & the Hague Convention of 23/11/2007