Revision as of 01:09, 20 February 2014

Hague Convention Information

Cameroon 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 Cameroon did not change.

Fraud Warning: Recently many Americans have become victims of Cameroonian scam artists offering adoption services through the Internet. Americans should be very cautious about sending money or traveling to Cameroon to adopt a child from an orphanage they have only heard about through e-mails. Prospective adoptive parents MUST travel to Cameroon and participate in person in the legal procedures that govern Cameroonian adoptions. In order to protect themselves and the children from the possibility of fraud or other serious problems, prospective adoptive parents are advised to consider first the list of accredited orphanages available at the Ministry of Social Affairs. Should prospective adoptive parents wish to hire a Cameroonian attorney to assist with the adoption, they can obtain a list of attorneys from the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde.

Who Can Adopt

To bring an adopted child to United States from Cameroon, 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). Learn more.

In addition to these U.S. requirements for adoptive parents, Cameroon also has the following requirements for adoptive parents:

Residency

The prospective adoptive parents must have the child in their care and custody for at least three consecutive months before the High Court will consider issuing an adoption decree.

Age of Adopting Parents

At least one adoptive parent in the couple must be older than 40 years of age. If neither parent meets the age requirement, at least one must be at least 35 years old and they must have been married for a minimum of 10 years. If neither of these requirements can be met, the couple can submit a medical certificate confirming their infertility in order to have the age requirement waived. The couple should bring a medical certificate from a U.S. or local doctor.

Marriage

Adoptive parents must be married . Single people can adopt - with certain restrictions on age. As homosexuality is illegal in Cameroon, gay or lesbian marriages are not recognized.

Income

The couple must provide evidence of financial capacity to support the adopted child. This evidence can be proven with a report of a home study from the U.S. along with bank statements, evidence of assets, pay slips, etc.

Other

Both parties in a couple must be in agreement over the adoption. One spouse may not adopt without the other's consent. PAPs must submit a medical certificate from either a U.S. or local doctor showing that they are medically fit. Evidence of consent of the birth parent(s) (if they are alive). The consent must be witnessed either in court, by a diplomatic consulate or by a public notary. Evidence of the consent of the adoptee if s/he is 16 or older. The consent must be witnessed either in court, by a diplomatic consulate or by a public notary. Prospective adoptive parents must come to Cameroon for an extended period of time and participate (in person) in the elaborate legal procedures.

Who Can Be Adopted

Cameroon has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption. You cannot adopt a child in Cameroon unless he or she meets the requirements outlined below.

In addition to these requirements, a child must meet the definition of an orphan under U.S. law for you to bring him or her immediately to the United States. Learn more about these U.S. requirements.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

1. Adopted individuals cannot have children of their own at the time of the adoption, nor have any legal descendants.

2. Adopted individuals may not marry their adoptive parents or siblings.

How to Adopt

Adoption Authority

The Process

Traveling Abroad

After Adoption

SOURCE

Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State Country Information