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	=Who Can Be Adopted=		=Who Can Be Adopted=
		+	Palau has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption. You cannot [[adopt]] a child in Palau unless he or she meets the requirements outlined below.
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		+	In addition to these requirements, a child must meet the definition of an orphan under U.S. law for you to bring him or her back to the United States. Learn more about these U.S. requirements.
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		+	'''ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:'''
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		+	*'''[[Relinquishment]] Requirements:''' The relinquishing parent(s) must provide signed consent.
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		+	*'''[[Abandonment]] Requirements:''' A child is considered abandoned if a period of six months passes without contact with the biological parent(s). The adopting parents must show they have made a good faith effort to contact the biological parent(s).
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		+	*'''Age Requirements:''' A child over the age of 12 years old must consent to being [[adopted]].
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		+	*'''Sibling Requirements:''' There are no requirements regarding the adoption of siblings.
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		+	*'''Requirements for [[Special Needs]] or Medical Conditions:''' There are no requirements regarding care for [[Special Needs|special needs]] or medical conditions.
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		+	*'''Waiting Period:''' There is no mandated waiting period.
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		+	'''Caution:'''  Prospective [[Adoptive Parents|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|parental rights]] or consented to their child(ren)'s adoption.
	=How to Adopt=		=How to Adopt=

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Revision as of 04:35, 8 April 2014

Hague Convention Information

Palau 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).

Although the “Compact of Free Association” between Palau and the United States permits Palauan citizens to travel to the United States for some temporary purposes without a U.S. visa, this provision is NOT applicable to adopted children who will reside permanently with American families in the United States. Prospective adoptive parents of Palauan children must go through the appropriate Palauan adoption procedures as well as the relevant U.S. immigration procedures. Adopted Palauan children who enter the United States without a visa will later have difficulties adjusting their U.S. immigration status and, eventually, acquiring U.S. citizenship.

U.S. IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTIONS

To bring an adopted child to the United States from Palau, you must meet eligibility and suitability requirements. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) determines who can adopt under U.S. immigration law.

Additionally, a child must meet the definition of orphan under U.S. immigration law in order to be eligible to immigrate to the United States on an IR-3 or IR-4 immigrant visa.

Who Can Adopt

In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, you must also meet the following requirements in order to adopt a child from Palau:

Residency

The Palauan government has no specific requirement or policy as regards the residency of foreign prospective adoptive parents.

Age of Adopting Parents

There are no age requirements for adoptive parents, as long as Palauan authorities deem the prospective adoptive parents "suitable."

Marriage

Under Palauan law, both married couples and single individuals may adopt Palauan children if the Palauan authorities deem the prospective adoptive parents "suitable." Foreign citizens who are married to Palauan citizens may also adopt their Palauan stepchildren.

Income

There is no minimum income requirement for adoptive parents, as long as Palauan authorities deem the prospective adoptive parents "suitable."

Other

There are no other specific requirements for adoptive parents, as long as Palauan authorities deem the prospective adoptive parents "suitable." There is no requirement that the adoptive parents have a background check, home visit, or provide police records to the authorities.

Who Can Be Adopted

Palau has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption. You cannot adopt a child in Palau unless he or she meets the requirements outlined below.

In addition to these requirements, a child must meet the definition of an orphan under U.S. law for you to bring him or her back to the United States. Learn more about these U.S. requirements.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Relinquishment Requirements: The relinquishing parent(s) must provide signed consent.

• Abandonment Requirements: A child is considered abandoned if a period of six months passes without contact with the biological parent(s). The adopting parents must show they have made a good faith effort to contact the biological parent(s).

• Age Requirements: A child over the age of 12 years old must consent to being adopted.

• Sibling Requirements: There are no requirements regarding the adoption of siblings.

• Requirements for Special Needs or Medical Conditions: There are no requirements regarding care for special needs or medical conditions.

• Waiting Period: There is no mandated waiting period.

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.

How to Adopt

Adoption Authority

The Process

Traveling Abroad

Applying for Your U.S. Passport

A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave Palau. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify U.S. passports. Getting or renewing a passport is easy. The Passport Application Wizard will help you determine which passport form you need, help you to complete the form online, estimate your payment, and generate the form for you to print-all in one place.

Obtaining Your Visa

In addition to a U.S. passport, you also need to obtain a visa. A visa is an official document issued by a foreign country that formally allows you to visit. Where required, visas are attached to your passport and allow you to enter a foreign nation. To find information about obtaining a visa for Palau, see the Department of State's Country Specific Information.

Staying Safe on Your Trip

Before you travel, it's always a good practice to investigate the local conditions, laws, political landscape, and culture of the country. The State Department is a good place to start. The Department of State provides Country Specific Information for every country of the world about various issues, including the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, and any areas of instability.

Staying in Touch on Your Trip

When traveling during the adoption process, we encourage you to register your trip with the Department of State. Travel registration makes it possible to contact you if necessary. Whether there's a family emergency in the United States, or a crisis in Palau, registration assists the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in reaching you. Registration is free and can be done online.

After Adoption

What resources are available to assist families after the adoption?

Many adoptive parents find it important to find support after the adoption. Take advantage of all the resources available to your family -- whether it's another adoptive family, a support group, an advocacy organization, or your religious or community services.

Here are some good places to start your support group search:

Child Welfare Information Gateway

North American Council on Adoptable Children

Adoption Services Support Group for Adopting Persons

SOURCE

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