DoS Notice: No U.S. Adoption Service Providers Currently Authorized to Facilitate Adoptions in Nepal

July 17, 2013 The Nepali Ministry of Women and Child Social Welfare (MWCSW) informed the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu that as of July 1, 2013, no U.S. adoption service providers (ASP) are authorized to facilitate adoptions in Nepal.  According to the MWCSW, the authorization of all adoption service providers expired on December 31, 2012.  The Ministry also informed the Department …

DoS Notice: Democratic Republic of the Congo Immigration Authorities Clarify Procedures for Limited Issuance of Exit Permits

July 16,  2013 This notice updates the Department of State’s June 27, 2013, adoption alert regarding the limited resumption of exit permit issuances to adopted Congolese children seeking to depart the country with their adoptive parents. The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) General Directorate of Migration (Direction Generale de Migration, DGM) informed the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa on June 17 that …

DoS Notice: Updated information on U.S.-based Hague Accredited Adoption Service Providers authorized by Mexican Central Authority

July 11, 2013 The Mexican Central Authority informed us that, in June 2013, it granted authorization to provide adoption services in Mexico to three additional U.S. based Convention accredited adoption service providers, bringing the total number of U.S. adoption service providers authorized in Mexico to six:  Across the World Adoptions Carolina Adoption Services, Inc International Child Foundation All God’s Children …

DoS Notice: The Hague Adoption Convention Enters into Force for Swaziland

On July 1, 2013 the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Convention) entered into force for the Kingdom of Swaziland. However, the Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland verbally notified the U.S. Embassy in Mbabane that the current suspension on intercountry adoptions will remain in effect until the country has fully implemented the Convention. The …

DoS Alert: Colombia Moratorium Update

The Colombian Institute for Family Welfare (ICBF) formally announced several important changes in Colombia’s management of intercountry adoptions. Beginning July 15, 2013, ICBF will no longer accept new intercountry adoption applications from non-Colombian citizens living abroad interested in adopting a child under 6 years and 11 months old, unless ICBF considers the child to have special characteristics or needs.  Families …

Nexus of Intercountry Adoption of Nepali Children and Trafficking (National Human Rights Commission)

Trafficking in Persons Especially on Women and Children in Nepal National Human Rights CommissionOffice of the Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Women and ChildrenDecember 2012Section 2.8.3Nexus of Intercountry Adoption of Nepali Children and TraffickingNepal legalized intercountry adoption by amending the National Code of 1964 in 1976. Before it, only national adoptions were allowed. From 1976 to 2000, Nepal Children’s Organization …

DoS Alert: Democratic Republic of the Congo Immigration Authorities Resume Limited Issuance of Exit Permits to Children Adopted in Tribunal pour Enfants

This alert updates the Department of State’s May 2 adoption alert regarding the suspension of issuance of exit permits to adopted Congolese children seeking to depart the country with their adoptive parents. On June 17, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) General Directorate of Migration (Direction Generale de Migration, DGM) informed the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa that the DGM has partially …

DoS Alert on Post-Placement Reports in Russia Adoptions

Russia requires post-placement reports to provide information regarding the welfare of children adopted by U.S. families.  Reports should be prepared in accordance with the requirements established by the Russian government and as agreed to during the adoption process.  All reports should be translated into Russian.  Reports may be submitted to the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation …

DoS Notice: U.S. – Ireland Operating Arrangement for Outgoing Adoptions of U.S. Children by Irish Prospective Adoptive Parents

June 7, 2013 The Department of State and the Adoption Authority of Ireland have concluded discussions on an operating arrangement for Irish prospective adoptive parents to adopt children who are eligible for intercountry adoption in the United States and who will emigrate from the U.S. to Ireland under Hague Adoption Convention (Convention) procedures.   The operating arrangement includes eligibility standards for …