Adopting from South Sudan
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the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.
Contents
About South Sudan
Egypt attempted to colonize the region of southern Sudan by establishing the province of Equatoria in the 1870s. Islamic Mahdist revolutionaries overran the region in 1885, but in 1898 a British force was able to overthrow the Mahdist regime. An Anglo-Egyptian Sudan was established the following year with Equatoria being the southernmost of its eight provinces. The isolated region was largely left to itself over the following decades, but Christian missionaries converted much of the population and facilitated the spread of English. To learn more please read About South Sudan.
Hague Convention Information
The Republic of South Sudan is not 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 South Sudan and the Hague Convention.
Who Can Adopt
In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, you must also meet multiple requirements in order to adopt a child from the Republic of South Sudan. To learn more please read about Who Can Adopt from South Sudan.
Who Can Be Adopted
In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, the Republic of South Sudan has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption. To learn more please read about Who Can Be Adopted from South Sudan.
How to Adopt
Adoption Authority
The Republic of South Sudan’s Adoption Authority
Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare
The Process
The process for adopting a child from the Republic of South Sudan generally includes the following steps:
- Choose an adoption service provider
- Apply to be found eligible to adopt
- Be matched with a child
- Adopt [or obtain custody of] the child in the Republic of South Sudan
- Apply for the child to be found eligible for orphan status
- Bring your child home
To learn more about this process please read about How to Adopt from South Sudan.
Traveling Abroad
Applying for Your U.S. Passport
A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave South Sudan. 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 Sudan.
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 the Republic of South Sudan
Kololo Road Juba Tel: +211 912 105 188 Email: ACSJuba@state.gov Internet: U.S. Embassy South Sudan
Republic of South Sudan’s Adoption Authority
Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare Ministries Road Juba
Embassy of the Republic of South Sudan
Address:1233 20th street NW. Suite 602 Washington, D.C. 20036 Tel: 202-293-7940 Fax: 202-293-7941 Internet: Embassy of South Sudan
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: AskCI@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-600A or I-600 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[1]