Revision as of 22:41, 2 April 2014

The official flag of Moldova.
Source: cia.gov.

Map of Moldova.
Source: cia.gov.

Map of Moldova.
Source: cia.gov.

The official coat of arms of Moldova.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

A kindergarden in Moldova.
Source: flickr.com.

The Orthodox church in Shevchenko Street in central Tiraspol, Moldova.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

A monastery in Moldova.
Source: flickr.com.

View of downtown Chisinau, capital of Moldova.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Bender Fortress, Moldova.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Hague Convention Information

Moldova is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Therefore all adoptions between Moldova and the United States must meet the requirements of the Convention and U.S. law implementing the Convention.

Note: Special transition provisions apply to adoptions initiated before April 1, 2008. Learn more.

Who Can Adopt

Adoption between the United States and Moldova is governed by the Hague Adoption Convention. Therefore to adopt from Moldova, 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). Learn more.

Adoption in Moldova can be a complicated process, sometimes involving long waits. Moldovan adoption law gives preference to Moldovan citizens and citizens of countries that have implemented the 1993 Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.

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

Residency

There are no residency requirements for foreign adoptive parents.

Age of Adopting Parents

The minimum age requirement for adoptive parents is 25. The maximum age is 50, unless one of the couple is under the age of 50.

Marriage

Married couples and single people may adopt. Unmarried couples may not adopt from Moldova.

Income

Prospective adoptive parents must show financial stability.

Other

The presence of the following conditions disqualify prospective adoptive parents from adopting in Moldova : HIV/AIDS, psychological and behavioral disorders, drug addiction, chronic alcoholism, chronic somatic diseases (disability of the 1st and 2nd degree), various forms of cancer, Hepatitis B, C or D. The following conditions may temporarily disqualify a person from adopting: sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis and severe virulent diseases.

Who Can Be Adopted

Because Moldova is a member of the Hague Adoption Convention, children from Moldova must meet the requirements of the Convention in order to be eligible for adoption. For example, the Convention requires that Moldova attempt to place a child with a family in Moldova before determining that a child is eligible for intercountry adoption. Learn more about the Convention's requirements for adoptable children. In addition to Moldova's requirements, a child must meet the definition of a Convention adoptee for you to bring him or her back to the United States.

Intercountry adoptions are permitted in exceptional cases, when no relatives or other Moldovan families are able to adopt orphans or become their guardians. Children who have health or developmental problems that Moldovan families cannot afford to treat are also considered exceptional cases.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Waiting Period: Information about children eligible for adoption is published in the Monitorul Official, the Moldovan Governments official register. For the first six months after this information is published, an adoptable child is eligible only for domestic adoption by Moldovan citizens. After six months, an adoptable child is eligible for intercountry adoption. Prospective adoptive parents may indicate the sex and age range of the child they prefer.

How to Adopt

Adoption Authority

The Process

Traveling Abroad

Applying for Your U.S. Passport

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

Obtaining Your Visa

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 Moldova, see the Department of State's Country Specific Information.

Staying Safe on Your Trip

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 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.

Staying in Touch on Your Trip

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 Moldova, registration assists the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in reaching you. Registration is free and can be done online.

After Adoption

SOURCE

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