DOS Adoption Notice: Vietnam Update

Vietnam December 2012 Notice: Special Advisor Jacobs Visits Vietnam  Special Advisor for Children’s Issues Ambassador Susan Jacobs recently met with host government officials in Vietnam to discuss Vietnam’s current progress on adoption reform to meet obligations under the Hague Convention and improve child welfare.  Vietnam became a party to the Hague Adoption Convention (the Convention) February 1, 2012, and is …

DOS Adoption Notice: Re-instatement of Services to U.S. Adoption Service Provider

Ethiopia   December 11, 2012 Notice: Re-instatement of Services to U.S. Adoption Service Provider On November 9, the Department of State posted a notice regarding the Ethiopian Ministry of Women, Children, and Youth Affairs’ temporary suspension of services to International Adoption Guides effective September 12, 2012.  On December 4, the Ministry informed the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa that as of …

DOS Adoption Notice: Status of EthioStork International Social Service Consultants

Ethiopia   December 11, 2012 Notice: Status of EthioStork International Social Service Consultants The Ethiopian Ministry of Women, Children, and Youth Affairs requested the Department of State provide clarification to U.S. families on the licensing of the organization, EthioStork International Social Service Consultants.  The Ministry informed the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa that the organization EthioStork is not licensed to …

DOS Adoption Notice: Update on Intercountry Adoptions in Guatemala

Guatemala December 11, 2012 Notice: Update on Intercountry Adoptions in Guatemala   The following is an update on issues and developments in Guatemalan adoptions.  We also take this opportunity to remind adopting parents and others that the U.S. government is not a party to these pending adoption cases and cannot represent the interests of parties in private legal matters.  Thus, …

DOS Adoption Alert: The Hague Adoption Convention Enters into Force for Lesotho

Lesotho December 5, 2012 Alert: The Hague Adoption Convention Enters into Force for Lesotho On December 1, 2012 the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Convention) entered into force for Lesotho.  However, the Government of Lesotho notified the U.S. Embassy in Maseru that the Government of Lesotho is suspending receipt of new adoption …

DOS Adoption Alert: Freeze on New Intercountry Adoption Applications

India November 30, 2012 Alert: Freeze on New Intercountry Adoption Applications Effective December 1, 2012, India will not accept new applications for intercountry adoptions from the United States. or other foreign adoption service providers until further notice, in order to clear a backlog of existing cases. Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) will continue to process applications registered prior to December …

DOS Adoption Notice: Update on Inter-country Adoptions in Cambodia

Cambodia November 30, 2012 Notice: Update on Inter-country Adoptions in Cambodia The Special Advisor for Children’s Issues, Ambassador Susan Jacobs, met with host government officials in Cambodia on October 28 and 29 regarding Cambodia’s efforts to meet obligations under the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption (the Convention).  The United States continues to support Cambodia’s efforts to improve its child welfare …

DOS Adoption Notice: New Malian Law Potentially Restricts Intercountry Adoptions

Mali November 26, 2012 Notice: New Malian Law Potentially Restricts Intercountry Adoptions In December 2011, the Malian National Assembly passed a new Code of Person and the Family. The Code includes a provision that could be interpreted to mean that only Malian nationals would be allowed to complete intercountry adoptions of Malian children. While the Malian Presidency did not issue …

DOS Adoption Notice: Ethiopia – Suspension of Services to U.S. Adoption Service Providers

Ethiopia November 9, 2012 Notice: Suspension of Services to U.S. Adoption Service Providers The Ministry of Women, Children, and Youth Affairs informed the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa that as of September 12, 2012, the Ministry temporarily suspended services to International Adoption Guides and Adoption Advocates International.  This suspension follows reports of abuse to Ethiopian adoptees placed with U.S. families …

DOS Adoption Notice: Morocco Ministry of Justice Provides Prosecutors New Instructions on Kafala Guardianship Decrees

Morocco November 6, 2012    Notice: Ministry of Justice Provides Prosecutors New Instructions on Kafala Guardianship Decrees    On September 21, 2012, Justice Minister El Mostapha Ramid published a notice instructing Moroccan Prosecutors to formally oppose a petition filed with a juvenile judge seeking the granting of Kafala guardianship decrees to prospective adoptive foreign parents who are not resident in …