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Difference between revisions of "Adopting from South Africa"

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{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/flags/large/sf-lgflag.gif|410x579px|thumb|'''The official flag of South Africa.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
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{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/flags/large/sf-lgflag.gif|410x579px|thumb|'''The official flag.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
  
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{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/maps/sf-map.gif|410x579px|thumb|'''Map of South Africa.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
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{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/maps/sf-map.gif|410x579px|thumb|'''Map'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
  
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{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/locator/afr/sf_large_locator.gif|410x579px|thumb|'''Map of South Africa.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
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{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/locator/afr/sf_large_locator.gif|410x579px|thumb|'''Map'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
  
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{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/de/MapungubweHill.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''Mapungubwe Hill, South Africa.'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
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{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/de/MapungubweHill.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''Mapungubwe Hill'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
  
 
{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/Nelson_Mandela-2008_%28edit%29.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''[[Nelson Mandela]].'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
 
{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/Nelson_Mandela-2008_%28edit%29.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''[[Nelson Mandela]].'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
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{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/40/Soweto_township.jpg/800px-Soweto_township.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''Slums of Soweto.'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
 
{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/40/Soweto_township.jpg/800px-Soweto_township.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''Slums of Soweto.'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
  
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{{#eimage:https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3255/3546874306_aef3183c60.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''A woman from the Ndebele tribe in South Africa..'''<BR/>Source: flickr.com.}}
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{{#eimage:https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3255/3546874306_aef3183c60.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''A woman from the Ndebele tribe'''<BR/>Source: flickr.com.}}
  
 
{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/CTfromTableMountain.jpg/800px-CTfromTableMountain.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''View of Cape Town's "city bowl" from Table Mountain.'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
 
{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/CTfromTableMountain.jpg/800px-CTfromTableMountain.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''View of Cape Town's "city bowl" from Table Mountain.'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
  
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{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6d/Cape_Town_Bo-Kaap_city_street.jpg/800px-Cape_Town_Bo-Kaap_city_street.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''Ca[e Town, South Africa.'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
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{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6d/Cape_Town_Bo-Kaap_city_street.jpg/800px-Cape_Town_Bo-Kaap_city_street.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''Cape Town'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
  
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{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/Sangomas-greeting.jpg/800px-Sangomas-greeting.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''Sangomas greeting each other, South Africa.'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
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{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/Sangomas-greeting.jpg/800px-Sangomas-greeting.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''Sangomas greeting each other'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
  
  
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=South Africa Adoption Alert=
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'''Notice: As of July 14, 2014, all individuals and agencies facilitating [[international]] adoptions must be in compliance with the Intercountry [[Universal Accreditation Act]].'''
  
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<span style="color:red">'''Notice: Adoptions from South Africa to Begin With Approval of U.S. Adoption Service Providers (July 5, 2012)'''
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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.
  
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On June 6, 2012, the Department of State’s Special Advisor for Children’s Issues, Susan Jacobs, and U.S. Consulate General Johannesburg officials met with the South African Ministry of Social Development’s Central Authority (SACA) to clarify South African intercountry adoption procedures.  SACA confirmed that it has authorized two U.S. accredited adoption service providers (ASPs) to contract with South African agencies to process Hague Adoption Convention (Convention) adoptions from South Africa to the United States.
 
  
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=About South Africa=
  
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The two U.S. ASPs are Bethany Christian Services and Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children. Both ASPs may now accept applications for adoptions.  
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Dutch traders landed at the southern tip of modern day [[South Africa]] in 1652 and established a stopover point on the spice route between the [[Netherlands]] and the Far East, founding the city of Cape Town. After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. To learn more please read [[About South Africa]].
  
  
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SACA also clarified the options available for dual citizens.  U.S. citizen prospective [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]] residing in the United States must follow the Convention intercountry adoption process if they wish to [[adopt]] from South Africa, regardless of whether one or both prospective [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]] hold South African citizenship.  U.S. citizens resident in South Africa who wish to [[adopt]] may be able to conclude a Convention adoption if they plan to bring their [[adopted]] child to the United States to live, or may conclude a domesticadoption after meeting South Africa’s five-year residency requirement if they intend to continue residing abroad.  In cases where one spouse is a South African citizen, the five-year residency requirement may be waived.
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=South Africa Adoption Alert=
  
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There have been multiple [[adoption]] alerts for [[South Africa]] over the years. To stay up to date please read the [[South Africa Adoption Alert]] page.
  
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The U.S. Department of State is pleased to have the opportunity to work with South Africa as a Convention partner and to complete Convention intercountry adoptions of eligible children from South Africa by qualified [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]] in the United States.  Please continue to monitor adoption.state.gov as we update the country information sheet on adoptions from South Africa.
 
  
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=Hague Convention Information=
  
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[[South Africa]] is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry [[Adoption]] (Hague [[Adoption]] Convention).  Therefore all intercountry adoptions between [[South Africa]] and the United States must meet the requirements of the Convention and U.S. law implementing the Convention. To learn more please read about [[South Africa and the Hague Convention]].
  
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=Hague Convention Information=
 
  
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Africa is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention).  Therefore all intercountry adoptions between South Africa and the United States must meet the requirements of the Convention and U.S. law implementing the Convention.
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=Who Can Adopt=
  
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[[Adoption]] between the United States and [[South Africa]] is governed by the Hague [[Adoption]] Convention.  Therefore to [[adopt]] from [[South Africa]], you must first 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 South Africa]].
  
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South African law recognizes two kinds of adoptions by foreigners:
 
  
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::1. Local adoptions of children resident in South Africa by foreign residents of South Africa, and
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=Who Can Be Adopted=
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::2. Intercountry adoptions of children resident in South Africa by foreign citizens residing abroad.
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Because [[South Africa]] is party to the Hague [[Adoption]] Convention, children from [[South Africa]] must meet the requirements of the Convention in order to be eligible for [[adoption]].  For example, the Convention requires that [[South Africa]] attempt to place a child with a family in-country before determining that a child is eligible for intercountry [[adoption]].  In addition to [[South Africa]]’s requirements, a child must meet the definition of a Convention adoptee for you to bring him or her back to the United States. To learn more please read about [[Who Can Be Adopted from South Africa]].
  
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The first category (“non-Hague adoption”) requires the foreign [[Adoptive Parent|adoptive parent]](s) to be resident for five years in South Africa, and the adoptions are handled by an accredited agency and finalized by the Department of Social Development under laws relating to local adoptions.  Note:  Under applicable U.S. laws and regulations, children [[adopted]] in non-Hague adoptions will only be eligible for immigration to the United States after a waiting period of two years’ residence and two years’ [[Legal Custody|legal custody]] with the [[Adoptive Parent|adoptive parent]](s).
 
  
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=How to Adopt=
  
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The second category (“Hague adoption”) is only available to citizens of countries with a working agreement between the prospective [[Adoptive Parent|adoptive parent]]’s country of origin and South Africa.  As of this writing, there have been no working agreements finalized between South African and U.S. adoption service providers.  Please contact the U.S. Consulate Johannesburg Immigrant Visa Unit (contact information below) for the latest information regarding adoption in South Africa. 
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==Adoption Authority==
  
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'''[[South Africa]]'s [[Adoption]] Authority'''
  
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There have been a number of cases in which American Citizens have been issued “Guardianship Orders” from the South African High Court. These orders do not constitute “irrevocable release for adoption and immigration” as required by United States Immigration Law. As such, they cannot be used for immigration purposes.
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Department of Social Development
  
  
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'''NOTE:'''  Special transition provisions apply to adoptions initiated before April 1, 2008.  Learn more. 
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==The Process==
  
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=Who Can Adopt=
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Because [[South Africa]] is party to the Hague [[Adoption]] Convention, adopting from [[South Africa]] must follow a specific process designed to meet the Convention's requirements. A brief summary of the Convention [[adoption]] process is provided below. You must complete these steps in the following order so that your [[adoption]] meets all necessary legal requirements. [[South Africa]] implemented the Children's Act on April 1, 2010, which formalizes laws and procedures regarding intercountry [[adoption]] under the Hague Convention.
  
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'''NOTE:'''  If you completed a full and final [[adoption]] or filed your [[I-600A|I-600a]] or [[I-600]] with USCIS before April 1, 2008, the Hague [[Adoption]] Convention may not apply to your [[adoption]]. Your [[adoption]] could continue to be processed in accordance with the immigration regulations for non-Convention adoptions. Learn more  .
  
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==Residency==
 
  
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==Age of Adopting Parents==
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# Choose an Accredited [[Adoption Service Provider]]
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# Apply to be Found Eligible to [[Adopt]]
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# Be Matched with a Child
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# Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Immigration to the United States
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# [[Adopt]] the Child in [[South Africa]]
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# Bring your Child Home
  
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==Marriage==
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To learn more about this process please read [[How to Adopt from South Africa]].
  
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==Income==
 
  
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==Other==
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=Traveling Abroad=
  
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'''Applying for Your U.S. Passport'''
  
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=Who Can Be Adopted=
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A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave [[South Africa]]. 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 South Africa]].
  
  
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=How to Adopt=
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=After Adoption=
  
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'''What resources are available to assist families after the [[adoption]]?'''
  
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==    Adoption Authority==
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Many [[Adoptive Parents|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.
  
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==The Process==
 
  
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=Traveling Abroad=
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Here are some good places to start your support group search:
  
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'''Applying for Your U.S. Passport'''
 
  
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A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave South Africa. 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. The [https://pptform.state.gov/ Passport Application Wizard] will help you determine which passport form you need, help you to complete the form online, estimate your payment, and generate the form for you to print-all in one place.
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[https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f_postadoption.cfm Child Welfare Information Gateway]  
  
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[http://www.nacac.org/ North American Council on Adoptable Children]
  
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'''Obtaining Your Visa'''
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[http://www.adoptionservices.org/adoption_support_groups_family/index.htm Adoption Services Support Group for Adopting Persons]
  
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In addition to a U.S. passport, you also need to obtain a visa. A visa is an official document issued by a foreign country that formally allows you to visit. Where required, visas are attached to your passport and allow you to enter a foreign nation.  To find information about obtaining a visa for South Africa, see the Department of State's [http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html Country Specific Information].
 
  
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=Contact Information=
  
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'''Staying Safe on Your Trip'''
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'''U.S. Consulate in [[South Africa]]'''
  
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Before you travel, it's always a good practice to investigate the local conditions, laws, political landscape, and culture of the country. The State Department is a good place to start. The Department of State provides [http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html Country Specific Information] for every country of the world about various issues, including the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, and any areas of instability.
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U.S. Consulate General
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1 Sandton Drive
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Sandhurst 2196
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Johannesburg
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Tel: 27-11-290-3000
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Fax: 27-11-884-0396
  
  
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'''Staying in Touch on Your Trip'''
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The Consulate in Johannesburg handles all consular matters, including immigrant visas, for Pretoria. The United States also has Consulates General in Cape Town and Durban; however these offices do not process immigrant visas.
  
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When traveling during the [[adoption]] process, we encourage you to register your trip with the Department of State. Travel registration makes it possible to contact you if necessary. Whether there's a family emergency in the United States, or a crisis in South Africa, registration assists the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in reaching you. Registration is free and can be done online.
 
  
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=After Adoption=
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'''[[South Africa]]’s [[Adoption]] Authority'''
  
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'''What resources are available to assist families after the [[adoption]]?'''
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Department of Social Development
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Registrar of Adoptions
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Private Bag X901
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Pretoria 0001, [[South Africa]]  
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Tel: 27-12-312-7592
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Fax: 27-12-312-7837
  
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Many [[Adoptive Parents|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.
 
  
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'''Commissioner of Child Welfare'''
  
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Here are some good places to start your support group search:
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Private Bag X61
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Pretoria 0001, [[South Africa]]
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Tel: 27-12-328-4026
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Fax:  27-12-321-8124
  
  
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[https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f_postadoption.cfm Child Welfare Information Gateway]  
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'''Embassy of [[South Africa]]'''
  
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[http://www.nacac.org/ North American Council on Adoptable Children]  
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Embassy of the Republic of [[South Africa]]
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3051 [[Massachusetts]] Avenue, NW
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[[Washington]] , DC 20008
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Tel: 202-232-4400
  
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[http://www.adoptionservices.org/adoption_support_groups_family/index.htm Adoption Services Support Group for Adopting Persons]
 
  
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[[South Africa]] also has Consulates in Chicago, Los Angeles and [[New York]].
  
  
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==SOURCE==
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'''Office of Children’s Issues'''
  
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'''Intercountry [[Adoption]], Bureau of Consular Affairs.  U.S. Department of State Country Information'''
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U.S. Department of State
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CA/OCS/CI 
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SA-17, 9th Floor 
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[[Washington]], DC 20522-1709
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Tel:  1-888-407-4747
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E-mail:  AskCI@state.gov
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 +
 
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==SOURCE==
  
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'''Intercountry [[Adoption]], Bureau of Consular Affairs.  U.S. Department of State Country Information''' adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=south_africa
  
 
[[Category: International Adoption]]
 
[[Category: International Adoption]]

Latest revision as of 02:37, 21 February 2018

The official flag.
Source: cia.gov.

Map
Source: cia.gov.

Map
Source: cia.gov.

Mapungubwe Hill
Source: Wikipedia.org.

.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Drakensberg, the eastern and highest portion of the Great Escarpment which surrounds the east, south and western borders of the central plateau of Southern Africa.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Slums of Soweto.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

A woman from the Ndebele tribe
Source: flickr.com.

View of Cape Town's "city bowl" from Table Mountain.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Cape Town
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Sangomas greeting each other
Source: Wikipedia.org.


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.


About South Africa

Dutch traders landed at the southern tip of modern day South Africa in 1652 and established a stopover point on the spice route between the Netherlands and the Far East, founding the city of Cape Town. After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. To learn more please read About South Africa.


South Africa Adoption Alert

There have been multiple adoption alerts for South Africa over the years. To stay up to date please read the South Africa Adoption Alert page.


Hague Convention Information

South Africa is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Therefore all intercountry adoptions between South Africa and the United States must meet the requirements of the Convention and U.S. law implementing the Convention. To learn more please read about South Africa and the Hague Convention.


Who Can Adopt

Adoption between the United States and South Africa is governed by the Hague Adoption Convention. Therefore to adopt from South Africa, you must first 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 South Africa.


Who Can Be Adopted

Because South Africa is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, children from South Africa must meet the requirements of the Convention in order to be eligible for adoption. For example, the Convention requires that South Africa attempt to place a child with a family in-country before determining that a child is eligible for intercountry adoption. In addition to South Africa’s requirements, a child must meet the definition of a Convention adoptee for you to bring him or her back to the United States. To learn more please read about Who Can Be Adopted from South Africa.


How to Adopt

Adoption Authority

South Africa's Adoption Authority

Department of Social Development


The Process

Because South Africa is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, adopting from South Africa must follow a specific process designed to meet the Convention's requirements. A brief summary of the Convention adoption process is provided below. You must complete these steps in the following order so that your adoption meets all necessary legal requirements. South Africa implemented the Children's Act on April 1, 2010, which formalizes laws and procedures regarding intercountry adoption under the Hague Convention.

NOTE: If you completed a full and final adoption or filed your I-600a or I-600 with USCIS before April 1, 2008, the Hague Adoption Convention may not apply to your adoption. Your adoption could continue to be processed in accordance with the immigration regulations for non-Convention adoptions. Learn more .


  1. Choose an Accredited Adoption Service Provider
  2. Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt
  3. Be Matched with a Child
  4. Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Immigration to the United States
  5. Adopt the Child in South Africa
  6. Bring your Child Home

To learn more about this process please read How to Adopt from South Africa.


Traveling Abroad

Applying for Your U.S. Passport

A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave South Africa. 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 South Africa.


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. Consulate in South Africa

U.S. Consulate General 1 Sandton Drive Sandhurst 2196 Johannesburg Tel: 27-11-290-3000 Fax: 27-11-884-0396


The Consulate in Johannesburg handles all consular matters, including immigrant visas, for Pretoria. The United States also has Consulates General in Cape Town and Durban; however these offices do not process immigrant visas.


South Africa’s Adoption Authority

Department of Social Development Registrar of Adoptions Private Bag X901 Pretoria 0001, South Africa Tel: 27-12-312-7592 Fax: 27-12-312-7837


Commissioner of Child Welfare

Private Bag X61 Pretoria 0001, South Africa Tel: 27-12-328-4026 Fax: 27-12-321-8124


Embassy of South Africa

Embassy of the Republic of South Africa 3051 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington , DC 20008 Tel: 202-232-4400


South Africa also has Consulates in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.


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


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=south_africa