Adopting from El Salvador
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the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.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 El Salvador
El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war, which cost about 75,000 lives, was brought to a close in 1992 when the government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for military and political reforms.
Hague Convention Information
El Salvador is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption(Hague Adoption Convention). To learn more, please read about El Salvador and the Hague Convention.
El Salvador Adoption Alert
There have been a few adoption alerts for El Salvador over the years. To learn more please read the El Salvador Adoption Alert page.
Who Can Adopt
In addition to the U.S. requirements, El Salvador obliges prospective adoptive parents to meet numerous requirements in order to adopt a child from El Salvador. To learn more about these requirements please read Who Can Adopt from El Salvador.
Who Can Be Adopted
Because El Salvador is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, children from El Salvador must meet the requirements of the Convention in order to be eligible for adoption. To learn more, please read Who Can Be Adopted from El Salvador.
How to Adopt
WARNING: El Salvador is party to the Hague Adoption Convention. Do not adopt or obtain legal custody of a child in El Salvador before a U.S. consular officer issues an “Article 5 Letter” in the case.
- Choose a U.S. accredited or approved adoption service provider
- Apply to USCIS to be found eligible to adopt
- Be matched with a child by authorities in El Salvador
- Apply to USCIS for the child to be found eligible for immigration to the United States and receive U.S. agreement to proceed with the adoption
- Adopt the child in El Salvador
- Obtain a U.S. immigrant visa for your child and bring your child home
To learn more about this process please read How to Adopt from El Salvador.
Traveling Abroad
Applying for Your U.S. Passport
U.S. citizens are required by law to enter and depart the United States on a valid U.S. passport. To learn more please read Traveling Abroad in El Salvador.
After Adoption
Post-Adoption/Post-Placement Reporting Requirements
El Salvador requires post-adoption reports, from six months and to two years after the adoption is finalized. We strongly urge you to comply with El Salvador’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 history of positive experiences with Americans 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:
Adoption Services Support Groups for Adopting Persons
North American Council on Adoptable Children
NOTE: Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links does not imply endorsement of contents.
Contact Information
U.S. Embassy in El Salvador
Final Boulevard y Urb. Santa Elena Antiguo Cuscatlán, La Libertad Tel. (outside the El Salvador): 011+503-2501-2999; within El Salvador: 2501-2999 Fax: (503) 2278-6020 E-mail: AdoptSanSal@state.gov Internet: U.S. Embassy El Salvador
El Salvador’s Adoption Authority
Oficina Para Adopciones Coordinador OPA Procuraduría General de la República 9ª. Calle Poniente y 13 Ave. Norte, Torre PGR, Centro de Gobierno San Salvador, El Salvador Tel: (503) 2231-9418 - 2231-9424 or 2231-9412 Email:adopcionespgr.gob@hotmail.com Internet: El Salvador Adoption Authority
Embassy of El Salvador
1400 16th Street, Suite 100, N.W. Washington, D.C, 20036 Tel: (202) 595-7500 Fax: (202) 232 3763 Email: correo@elsalvador.org
El Salvador also has consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Elizabeth (NJ), Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Santa Ana (CA), Woodbridge (VA), Duluth (GA), Miami, New York, Long Island (NY), Nogales (AZ), San Francisco, and Washington, DC. Contact information for these consulates can be found at the web site listed above.
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 Email: AdoptionUSCA@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=el_salvador