Latest revision as of 16:44, 8 July 2021

The official flag.
Source: cia.gov.

Map.
Source: cia.gov.

Map.
Source: cia.gov.

Krakow.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

National Park - Ojców.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Central marketplace of Wrocław.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

A group of Polish children.
Source: flickr.com.

Gothic Wrocław Town Hall, Wroclaw.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Wawel cathedral, Krakow.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Warsaw.
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the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.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 Poland

Poland's history as a state begins near the middle of the 10th century. By the mid-16th century, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth ruled a vast tract of land in central and eastern Europe. During the 18th century, internal disorders weakened the nation, and in a series of agreements between 1772 and 1795, Russia, Prussia, and Austria partitioned Poland among themselves. To learn more please read About Poland.

Hague Convention Information

Poland 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 Poland and the Hague Convention.

Who Can Adopt

In addition to the U.S. requirements, prospective adoptive parents need to meet Poland’s requirements to adopt a child from Poland. To learn more please read about Who Can Adopt from Poland.

Who Can Be Adopted

Because Poland is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, children from Poland must meet the requirements of the Convention in order to be eligible for adoption. To learn more please read about Who Can Be Adopted from Poland.

How to Adopt

Adoption Authority

Poland’s Adoption Authority

Ministry of Labor and Social Policy Department of Family Policy 11 Nowogrodzka Street 00-513 Warsaw, Poland Tel: +48 (22) 529-0666 or 0665 Fax: +48 (22) 429-0661 Email: Aleksandra.kowalczyk@mpips.gov.pl

The Process

Because Poland is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, adopting from Poland must follow a specific process designed to meet the Convention’s requirements. A brief summary of the Convention adoption process is given below. You must complete these steps in the following order so that your adoption meets all necessary legal requirements. Adoptions completed out of order may result in the child not being eligible for an immigrant visa to the United States.

1. Choose a U.S. accredited or approved adoption service provider
2. Apply to USCIS to be found eligible to adopt
3. Be matched with a child by authorities in Poland
4. 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
5. Adopt the Child in Poland
6. 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 Poland.

Traveling Abroad

Applying for Your U.S. Passport

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

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 Poland

IV Unit/Adoptions 12 Piekna Street 00-540 Warsaw, Poland Tel: +48 (22) 625-1401 or +28 (22) 504-2106 Fax: +48 (22) 504-2039 Email: adoptwrw@state.gov Internet: U.S. Embassy Poland

Poland’s Adoption Authority

Ministry of Labor and Social Policy Department of Family Policy 11 Nowogrodzka Street 00-513 Warsaw, Poland Tel: +48 (22) 529-0666 or 0665 Fax: +48 (22) 429-0661 Email: Aleksandra.kowalczyk@mpips.gov.pl

Poland’s Authorized Adoption Centers

Mazowieckie Regional Adoption Center ul. Nowogrodzka 75 02-018 Warszawa Tel/fax: +48 (22) 622-0370, 0371, or 0372 Email: woa.warszawa@mcps.com.pl Internet: Poland's Authorized Adoption Centers

National Adoptive-Guardian Center of the Children's Friends Society

(Towarzystwo Przyjaciol Dzieci – TPD) Ul. Krakowskie Przedmiescie 6 00-325 Warszawa Tel: +48 (22) 425-4677 or 4688 Fax: +48 (22) 827-7813 Email: adopcja@tpdzg.org.pl

Catholic Adoptive-Guardian Center (Katolicki Osrodek Adopcyjno-Opiekunczy)

Ul. Grochowska 194/196 04-357 Warszawa Fax: (48)(22) 818-5430 Email: katolickiosrodek@interia.pl Internet: CJA

Embassy of Poland

2224 Wyoming Av. NW Washington, D.C. 20008 Tel: (202) 499-1700 Email: washington.consular@msz.gov.pl Internet: Embassy of Poland

Poland 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 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-800A or I-800 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=poland