Adopting from Gabon

Hague Convention Information

Gabon is not party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Intercountry adoptions of children from non-Hague countries are processed in accordance with 8 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 204.3 as it relates to orphans as defined under the Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 101(b)(1)(F).

Below is the limited adoption information that the Department has obtained from the adoption authority of Gabon. U.S. citizens adopting children in rare adoption cases from Gabon, as well as U.S. citizen prospective adoptive parents living in Gabon who would like to adopt from the United States or from a third country, should contact the adoption authority of Gabon to inquire about applicable laws and procedures. See contact information below.

Potential adoptive parents begin the process by sending a letter to the Ministry of Social Affairs explaining why they would like to adopt and providing a description of a child they are seeking to adopt. Preferably, the potential adoptive parents reside in Gabon. If not, they will need to travel to Gabon to meet the child. The potential adoptive parents can spend time with the child on weekends and school holidays. After the police have approved the parents and the social worker has determined that the potential adoptive parents and the child have developed a strong relationship, the court can finalize the adoption.

Caution: Prospective adoptive parents should be aware that not all children in orphanages or children’s homes are adoptable. In many countries, birth parents place their child(ren) temporarily in an orphanage or children’s home due to financial or other hardship, intending that the child return home when this becomes possible. In such cases, the birth parent(s) have rarely relinquished their parental rights or consented to their child(ren)’s adoption.

Please visit the Department of State’s Country Specific Information for more information on travelling to Gabon and the U.S. Embassy Libreville website for information on consular services.

Who Can Adopt

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Residency

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Age of Adopting Parents

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Marriage

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Income

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Other

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After Adoption

SOURCE

Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State Country Information