Adopting from Tanzania
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the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.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 Tanzania
Shortly after achieving independence from Britain in the early 1960s, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the nation of Tanzania in 1964. One-party rule ended in 1995 with the first democratic elections held in the country since the 1970s. Zanzibar's semi-autonomous status and popular opposition led to two contentious elections since 1995, which the ruling party won despite international observers' claims of voting irregularities. The formation of a government of national unity between Zanzibar's two leading parties succeeded in minimizing electoral tension in 2010.
Hague Convention Information
Tanzania is not party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption ( Hague Adoption Convention ). Therefore, when the Hague Adoption Convention entered into force for the United States on April 1, 2008, intercountry adoption processing for Tanzania did not change.
In order to adopt a child from Tanzania, prospective adoptive parent(s) must be residents of Tanzania for at least three consecutive years. The Tanzanian Department of Social Welfare considers a person to be resident if that person holds a Resident Permit (Class A, B or C),a Dependent's Pass or an Exemption Permit and lives in Tanzania. This requirement is never waived.
Who Can Adopt
To bring an adopted child to United States from Tanzania, you must be found eligible to adopt by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government agency responsible for making this determination is the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). To learn more please read about Who Can Adopt from Tanzania.
Who Can Be Adopted
Tanzania has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption. You cannot adopt a child in Tanzania unless he or she meets multiple requirements. To learn more please read about Who Can Be Adopted from Tanzania.
How to Adopt
Adoption Authority
Department of Social Welfare
The Process
The process for adopting a child from Tanzania 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 Tanzania
- Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Adoption
- Bring Your Child Home
To learn more about this process please read about How to Adopt from Tanzania.
Traveling Abroad
Applying for Your U.S. Passport
A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave Tanzania. 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 Tanzania.
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 Tanzania
Embassy of the United States of America 686 Old Bagamoyo Road Msasani, P.O. Box 9123 Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania Email: drsacs@state.gov Internet: U.S. Embassy Tanzania
Department of Social Welfare 4 th Floor NSSF Building Corner of Morogoro and Bibi Mohamed Roads P.O. Box 1949 Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania Tel: (+255) 2135572
Embassy of Tanzania
Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania 1232 22nd Street NW, Washington D.C 20037 Telephone: (202)884-1080, (202)939-6125/7 Fax: (202)797-7408 Website: Embassy of Tanzania
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=tanzania