Adopting from Zambia
Notice: As of July 14, 2014, all individuals and agencies facilitating international adoptions must be in compliance with the Intercountry Universal Accreditation Act.
The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice. Always seek the advice of a licensed and qualified professional. While the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.
Contents
About Zambia
The territory of Northern Rhodesia was administered by the [British] South Africa Company from 1891 until it was taken over by the UK in 1923. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred development and immigration. The name was changed to Zambia upon independence in 1964. To learn more please read About Zambia.
Hague Convention Information
Zambia is not party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (the 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). To learn more please read about Zambia and the Hague Convention.
Who Can Adopt
In addition to these U.S. requirements, you must also be found eligible to adopt by Zambia. Zambia requires that prospective adoptive parents meet multiple additional requirements. To learn more please read about Who Can Adopt from Zambia.
Who Can Be Adopted
In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, Zambia has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption. To learn more about these requirements please read Who Can Be Adopted from Zambia.
How to Adopt
Adoption Authority
Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health
NOTE: Prospective adoptive parents may contact Social Welfare Officers and Juvenile Inspectors of the Provincial and District Social Welfare Offices to apply for adoption.
The Process
The process for adopting a child from Zambia generally includes the following steps:
- Choose an adoption service provider
- Apply to be found eligible to adopt
- Be matched with a child
- Adopt the child in Zambia
- Apply for the child to be found eligible for orphan status
- Bring your child home
To learn more about this process please read How to Adopt from Zambia.
Traveling Abroad
Applying for Your U.S. Passport
A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave Zambia. 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. To learn more please read about Traveling Abroad in Zambia.
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
Contact Information
U.S. Embassy in Zambia
Ibex Hill Road Lusaka, Zambia Tel: (260)-211-357-000 E-mail: consularlusaka@state.gov Website: U.S. Embassy Zambia
The Department of Social Welfare of the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health, oversees adoptions. Prospective adoptive parents may contact the Department of Social Welfare office of the Commissioner for Juvenile Welfare to begin the adoption process.
Commissioner for Juvenile Welfare
Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health P.O. Box 31958 Lusaka, Zambia Tel: (26)-021-123-5343, (26)-021-122-3319, (26)-021-123-6967 Fax: (26)-021-123-6968, (26)-021-123-5343 Email: sw@gov.za, mcdss@zamnet.zm
Lusaka Provincial Social Welfare Office
Boma House Church Road P.O. Box 30281 Lusaka, Zambia Tel: (26)-021-122-5770
Luapula Provincial Social Welfare Office
Provident House P.O. 710041 Mansa, Zambia
Northern Provincial Social Welfare Office
Provident House P.O. 410013 Kasama, Zambia
Northwestern Provincial Social Welfare Office
Provincial Community Development Centre P.O. 110013 Solwazi, Zambia
Zambian Registrar General
Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship Corner of Independence and Dedan Kimathi Road P.O. Box 32311 Lusaka, Zambia Tel: 260-211-228196/7
Zambian Embassy
2419 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20008 Tel: (202) 265-9717 Fax: (202) 265-9718 E-mail: embzambia@aol.com Internet: Zambian Embassy
Office of Children's Issues
U.S. Department of State CA/OCS/CI SA-17, 9th Floor Washington, DC 20522-1709 Tel: 1-888-407-4747 E-mail: AskCI@state.gov Internet: U.S. Department of State
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
For questions about immigration procedures, call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC)
1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)
SOURCE
Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State Country Information adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=zambia