Adopting from Czech Republic
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the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.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 Czech Republic
At the close of World War I, the Czechs and Slovaks of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire merged to form Czechoslovakia. During the interwar years, having rejected a federal system, the new country's predominantly Czech leaders were frequently preoccupied with meeting the increasingly strident demands of other ethnic minorities within the republic, most notably the Slovaks, the Sudeten Germans, and the Ruthenians (Ukrainians). On the eve of World War II, Nazi Germany occupied the territory that today comprises the Czech Republic and Slovakia became an independent state allied with Germany. To learn more please read About Czech Republic.
Hague Convention Information
The Czech Republic is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Intercountry adoption processing in Hague countries is done in accordance with the requirements of the Convention; the U.S. implementing legislation, the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (IAA); and the IAA’s implementing regulations, as well as the implementing legislation and regulations of the Czech Republic.
Please find below information that the Department has obtained from the adoption authority of Czech Republic. U.S. citizens interested in adopting children from the Czech Republic should contact the Central Authority of the Czech Republic to inquire about applicable laws and procedures. U.S. citizen prospective adoptive parents living in the Czech Republic who would like to adopt a child from the United States or from a third country should also contact the Czech Republic’s Central Authority. See contact information below.
Please visit the Department’s Country Specific Information for more information on travelling to the Czech Republic and the U.S. Embassy in Prague’s website for information on consular services.
Please note: The consular officer will send a letter (referred to as an “Article 5 Letter”) to the Czech Republic Central Authority regarding any intercountry adoption involving U.S. citizen parents and a child from the Czech Republic; in cases where all Convention requirements are met and the consular officer determines that the child appears eligible to immigrate to the United States. This letter will inform the Czech Republic’s Central Authority that the parents are eligible and suited to adopt, that all indications are that the child may enter and reside permanently in the United States, and that the U.S. Central Authority agrees that the adoption may proceed further.
Do not attempt to adopt or obtain custody of a child in the Czech Republic before a U.S. consular officer issues the Article 5 Letter in any adoption case.
Remember: The consular officer will make a final decision about a child’s eligibility for an immigrant visa later in the adoption process.
How to Adopt
Adoption Authority
Czech Republic’s Adoption Authority
Úrad pro mezinárodne právní ochranu detí (Office for International Legal Protection of Children) Silingrovo namestí 3/4 60200 BRNO Czech Republic tel. & fax: +420 (5) 4221 2836 Internet: [1]
Dr. Marketa Novakova
Deputy Director
Office for International Legal Protection of Children (UMPOD)
Brno, Czech Republic
Tel: +420 542 215 443
E-mail address: marketa.novakova@umpod.cz
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=czech_republic