If you know of a report that should be included here, please email your Guide and include the source of the information. For official reports from the U.S. State Department, check their Web site.
Continued Below
|
Romania to lift ban by year's end Scroll down for link to details.
SARS Affects International Adoption
(Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)
NEW - China has temporarily suspended processing of adoption for those not already in the process, and discouraging travel for those who are not already in-country Source. See news reports from:
- Voice of America 19-May
- Bloomberg News 16-May
- New York Times 16-May
- Advisory: International Adoption and SARS - from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- SARS Fact Sheets & Travel Advisories - from the World Health Organization (WHO)
- Executive Order on Quarantinable Diseases - from the US Dept. of Health & Human Services (DHHS)
- SARS Effect on Airline Schedules - from our Guide to Air Travel
- What You Need to Know About SARS - from our Guide to Women's Health
Fingerprints Good for 15 Months
As of April 1, this will be enforced even for families traveling to adopt when the 15 months expire. Families are advised to update fingerprints before traveling.
INS Update: March 1, 2003
The Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS) has been absorbed under Homeland Security, and is now known as the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS). For full information: INS Absorbed by Homeland Security. Here at the site, Filing fees and forms downloads are updated.
State Department Update
Important Notice Regarding Adoption Agents and Facilitators - July 18, 2002
The State Department has received a growing number of complaints concerning adoption facilitators operating in various countries.
Country Updates
| COUNTRY | UPDATED | COMMENTS |
| BOLIVIA | 20-SEP-02 | Bolivia ratified the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption in Janaury 2002. The Government of Bolivia has informed the American Embassy in La Paz that Bolvia will approve international adoptions only when the prospective adopting parent(s) reside in countries which have become party to the Convention. Prospective parents who are legal residents of Bolivia or American-Bolivian dual nationals may adopt orphans under Bolivian law. It is expected that the Convention will enter into force in the United States in 2004. more on adopting from Bolivia |
| BULGARIA | 21-FEB-03 | Bulgaria has banned the adoption of Bulgiarian children under the age of one year by foreigners. Source: Bulgarian News.com more on adopting from Bulgaria |
| CAMBODIA | 05-JUN-02 | Americans trying to circumvent the halt in Cambodian adoptions by going through the judicial system may be unable to obtain an orphan visa. For a more complete view, see this article from The New York Times. (May require registration which is free.) more on adopting from Cambodia |
| CHINA | 23-MAY-03 | A hold on international adoptions continues due to the SARS epidemic. more on adopting from China |
| COLOMBIA | 24-FEB-03 | Serious travel warnings have been issued by the State Dept. for Colombia. |
| GUATEMALA (1) | 10-SEP-01 | Today Canada announced it was suspending new adoptions from Guatemala due to reports of corruption. |
| GUATEMALA (2) | 03-JUN-03 | (a) The State Dept. says "In light of the uncertainties facing international adoption in Guatemala with the implementation of the new procedures, adopting families should not file for adoption in Guatemala until the current problems are resolved." (c) Singles are now required to submit a document stating they are not homosexual. details... more on adopting from Guatemala |
| KAZAKHSTAN | 23-MAR-02 | Word has it that no more independent adoption will be allowed from Kazakhstan - and only agencies whose families proceed with children's registration will be allowed to operate. more on adopting from Kazakhstan |
| LAOS | 12-DEC-94 | The government of Laos suspended all adoptions by foreign citizens. |
| LATVIA | 31-OCT-01 | Procedures are likely to change in 2002. |
| LIBERIA | 18-JAN-03 | Travel warnings have been posted for Liberia and visa services at the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia have been suspended until further notice. |
| MOLDOVA | 26-OCT-02 | Rumor has it that the Moldovan government has ended the ban on U.S. adoptions. Watch the Web site of the US Consulate in Chisinau for official info and new (more stringent) regulations. |
| MONGOLIA | 06-JUN-02 | U.S. citizens are cautioned against adopting from Mongolia. |
| ROMANIA | 01-JUN-03 | The moratorium on international adoptions scheduled to lift by the end of 2003 ... more info |
| SARAWAK | 30-JUL-02 | U.S. citizens are cautioned about adoption in Sarawak due to unknown outcomes. |
| SOUTH AFRICA | 24-OCT-01 | Laws will be eased in order to improve adoption opportunities of the more than 2 million anticipated AIDS/HIV orphans. Source: Welfare Minister Zola Skweyiya more on adopting from South Africa |
| UKRAINE | 27-APR-03 | Effective May 1, 2003, the homestudy must be accompanied by a certified translation. As of Feb. 2003, Ukraine requires two complete dossiers for the adoptions of two children, even siblings. Keep up with procedures from the US Embassy Consular Services, Kyiv, Ukraine. Feb. 2003: Charges of child trafficking have been made against the National Adoption Center. Read more. more on adopting from Ukraine |
| VIETNAM | 20-DEC-02 | Vietnam will issue new regulations in 2003. U.S. citizens are advised not to pursue adoptions from Vietnam at this time. more on adopting from Vietnam |
Forum Discussions
Adopting/Adoptive Parent Forum
We're always talking.
| Got a Question? Ask it on the Bulletin Board. |
Calendar of Events Conferences & Happenings |
