Revision as of 23:27, 7 April 2014

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

Map of Niger.
Source: cia.gov.

Map of Niger.
Source: cia.gov.

Sand dune in Niger near Niamey, Niger.
Source: flickr.com.

A farmer in Niger.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

A mother and her children sit by their goatskin tent in a Toureg encampment near Fakara, Niger.
Source: flickr.com.

A mother and her son in .
Source: flickr.com.

Village women and livestock in Niger.
Source: flickr.com.

Niger children.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

The Grabd Mosque in Niamey, Niger.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Two Niger girls.
Source: flickr.com.

Hague Convention Information

Niger is not party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (the Hague Adoption Convention). Intercountry adoptions of children from non-Hague countries are processed in accordance with 8 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 204.3 as it relates to orphans as defined under the Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 101(b)(1)(F).

PLEASE NOTE: Nigerien law does not technically permit adoptions by couples with biological children. The Direction de la Protection de l'Enfant (DPE) may review a longstanding policy of granting exceptions in the future.

Who Can Adopt

To bring an adopted child to the United States from Niger, you must meet eligibility and suitability requirements. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) determines Who Can Adopt under U.S. immigration law.

Additionally, a child must meet the definition of orphan under U.S. law in order to be eligible to immigrate to the United States on an IR-3 or IR-4 immigrant visa.

In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, you must also meet the following requirements in order to adopt a child from Niger:

Residency

None.

Age of Adopting Parents

According to Nigerien law, one prospective adoptive parent must be at least 35 years of age.

Marriage

According to Nigerien law, the prospective adoptive parents must be married for a minimum of 10 years.

Income

Prospective adoptive parents have to submit proof of income.

Other

None.

Who Can Be Adopted

In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, Niger has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption:

RELINQUISHMENT: None

ABANDONMENT: Any child whose parents cannot be found.

AGE OF ADOPTIVE CHILD: None.

SIBLING ADOPTIONS: None.

SPECIAL NEEDS OR MEDICAL CONDITIONS: None.

WAITING PERIOD OR FOSTER CARE: None.

Caution: Prospective adoptive parents should be aware that not all children in orphanages or children's homes are adoptable. In many countries, birth parents place their child(ren) temporarily in an orphanage or children's home due to financial or other hardship, with the intention of returning for the child when they are able to do so. In such cases, the birth parent(s) rarely would have relinquished their parental rights or consented to their child(ren)'s adoption.

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

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

SOURCE

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