Adopting from Bosnia and Herzegovina
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the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.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 Bosnia Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina declared sovereignty in October 1991 and independence from the former Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs. The Bosnian Serbs - supported by neighboring Serbia and Montenegro - responded with armed resistance aimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic lines and joining Serb-held areas to form a "Greater Serbia." To learn more, read About Bosnia and Herzegovina
Hague Convention Information
Bosnia and Herzegovina 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). Learn more about Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Hague Convention.
Who Can Adopt
In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, you must also meet several requirements in order to adopt a child from Bosnia and Herzegovina. To learn more, read about Who Can Adopt from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Who Can Be Adopted
In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, Bosnia and Herzegovina has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption. To learn more about these requirements, read about Who Can Be Adopted from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
How to Adopt
Bosnia and Herzegovina consists of two entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska. Family law governing adoption is within the competence of those entities, and, therefore, two ministries mentioned below are the adoption authorities for the relevant entity. Learn more about How to Adopt from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Traveling Abroad
Learn more about Traveling Abroad in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
After Adoption
We strongly urge you to comply with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s post-adoption requirements in a timely manner. Your adoption agency may be able to help you with this process. Your cooperation will contribute to that country’s positive experiences with American parents.
Post-Adoption Resources
Many adoptive parents find it important to find support after the adoption. There are many public and private nonprofit post-adoption services available for children and their families. There are also numerous adoptive family support groups and adoptee organizations active in the United States that provide a network of options for adoptees who seek out other adoptees from the same country of origin. Take advantage of all the resources available to your family -- whether it is another adoptive family, a support group, an advocacy organization, or your religious or community services.
Here are some places to start your support group search:
Child Welfare Information Gateway
North American Council on Adoptable Children
Adoption Services Support Groups for Adopting Persons
NOTE: Inclusion of non-U.S. government links does not imply endorsement of contents.
Contact Information
U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Address: 1 Robert C. Frasure Street, 71000 SARAJEVO Tel: +387 33 704-000 Fax: +387 33 221-837 Email: rws@state.gov Internet: U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Adoption Authority
FOR FEDERATION OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA:
Ministarstvo rada i socijalne politike Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine Ministry of Labor and Social Policy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina) Address: Vilsonovo setaliste 10, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Tel: +387 33 661 782 Fax: +387 33 661 783 Email: info@fmrsp.gov.ba Internet: Ministry of Labor and Social Policy Bosnia and Herzegovina
FOR REPUBLIKA SRPSKA
Ministarstvo zdravlja i socijalne zastite Republike Srpske (Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of the Republika Srpska) Address: Trg Republike Srpske 1, 78000 Banja Luka Tel: +387 51 339 486 Fax: +387 51 339-652 Email: ministarstvo-zdravlja@mzsz.vladars.net Internet: Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of the Republika Srpska
Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Address: 2109 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 Tel: (1 202) 337-1500 Fax: (1 202) 337-1502 Email: info@bhembassy.org Internet: Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina also has a consulate in Chicago, Ill.
Office of Children’s Issues
U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street, N.W. SA-29 Washington, DC 20520 Tel: 1-888-407-4747 Email: AskCI@state.gov Internet: U.S. Department of State
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
For questions about immigration procedures: National Customer Service Center (NCSC) Tel: 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833) Internet: USCIS
For questions about filing a Form I-600A or I-600 petition:
National Benefits Center
Tel: 1-877-424-8374 (toll free); 1-816-251-2770 (local)
Email: NBC.Adoptions@DHS.gov
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=bosnia-herzegovina