# § 9002. Definitions
For the purposes of this chapter—
**(1)** the term “applicant” means any person who, pursuant to the Convention, files an application with the United States Central Authority or a Central Authority of any other party to the Convention for the return of a child alleged to have been wrongfully removed or retained or for arrangements for organizing or securing the effective exercise of rights of access pursuant to the Convention;
**(2)** the term “Convention” means the Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, done at The Hague on October 25, 1980;
**(3)** the term “Parent Locator Service” means the service established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 653 of title 42;
**(4)** the term “petitioner” means any person who, in accordance with this chapter, files a petition in court seeking relief under the Convention;
**(5)** the term “person” includes any individual, institution, or other legal entity or body;
**(6)** the term “respondent” means any person against whose interests a petition is filed in court, in accordance with this chapter, which seeks relief under the Convention;
**(7)** the term “rights of access” means visitation rights;
**(8)** the term “State” means any of the several States, the District of Columbia, and any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States; and
**(9)** the term “United States Central Authority” means the agency of the Federal Government designated by the President under section 9006(a) of this title.
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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 100–300, § 3, Apr. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 437.)
## Editorial Notes
### References in Text
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act” meaning , , , which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note under and Tables.
### Codification
Section was formerly classified to , The Public Health and Welfare.