Chad and the Hague Convention

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Source: Wikipedia.org.

Chad 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 [https://www.uscis.gov/laws-and-policy/regulations 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 Chad. U.S. citizens adopting children in rare adoption cases from Chad, as well as U.S. citizen prospective adoptive parents living in Chad who would like to adopt from the United States or from a third country, should contact the Ministry of Justice to inquire about applicable laws and procedures.

The Government of Chad does allow intercountry adoptions, however, prospective adoptive parents should be aware that the lack of clear legal procedures for adopting in Chad can, and often does, result in protracted, difficult, and expensive adoption proceedings. Presently two sorts of adoptions are available in Chad; adoption simple and adoption pleinière. The adoption simple appears to be a form of traditional adoption whereby parents who are not able to provide for their child(ren) allow them to live with locally-based adoptive parents who can provide for the child(ren). The adoption simple does not allow the adoptive parents to change the adoptive child’s legal name. An adoption pleinière appears to be a fuller and more finalized form of adoption in Chad. The adoption pleinière does permit adoptive parents to change their adoptive child’s legal name. Prospective adoptive parents should not consider an adoption simple as final or irrevocable for custody and immigration purposes. Chad’s Tribunal de la Première Instance appears to have final jurisdiction when determining adoption cases for immigration and custody purposes. All questions should be directed to the Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice at +235.22.52.36.67

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, with the intention of returning for the child when they are able to do so. In such cases, the birth parent(s) rarely would have 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 Chad and the U.S. Embassy N’djamena’s website for information on consular services.

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