Adopting from Monaco

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

Map of Monaco.
Source: cia.gov.

Map of Monaco.
Source: cia.gov.

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

The Monte Carlo Casino at dusk, Monaco.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Hague Convention Information

Monaco is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Intercountry adoption processing in Hague countries is done in accordance with the requirements of the Convention; the U.S. implementing legislation, the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (IAA); and the IAA’s implementing regulations, as well as the implementing legislation and regulations of the child’s country of origin.

U.S. citizens interested in adopting children from Monaco should contact Monaco’s Central Authority to inquire about applicable adoption laws and procedures. U.S. citizen prospective adoptive parents living in Monaco who would like to adopt a child from the United States or from a third country should also contact Monaco’s Central Authority to determine their status of habitual residence and about applicable laws and procedures. See contact information below.

In order to complete an Intercountry adoption of a child from Monaco under the Hague Adoption Convention, you must work with a U.S. accredited or approved adoption service provider acting as primary provider. At this time, there are no known U.S. accredited or approved adoption service providers that have applied for or received authorization from the government of Monaco to handle intercountry adoption between Monaco and the United States. Therefore adoptions under the Hague Adoption Convention between the United States and Monaco may not be possible at this time.

The foregoing does not affect the ability of the adoptive parent who is not habitually resident in the United States to file a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, for an adopted child from Monaco with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The prospective adoptive parent must meet specific requirements before being eligible to file a Form I-130 including obtaining a full and final adoption and completing two years of legal and physical custody with the child outside of the United States. USCIS determines whether a child meets the definition of an “adopted child”, and qualifies for immigration on a case-by-case basis. For more information about Form I-130, please visit the USCIS Form I-130 processing page.

Please visit the Department’s Country Specific Information for more information on travelling to Monaco, and the website of the U.S. Consulate General in Marseille, France for information on consular services.

WARNING: In the case of an intercountry adoption by U.S. citizens being approved by Monaco’s Central Authority, the consular officer will send a letter (referred to as an “Article 5 Letter”) to Monaco’s Central Authority where all Convention requirements are met and the consular officer determines that the child appears eligible to immigrate to the United States. This letter will inform the Central Authority that the parents are eligible and suited to adopt, that all indications are that the child may enter and reside permanently in the United States, and that the U.S. Central Authority agrees that the adoption may proceed.

Do not attempt to adopt or obtain custody of a child in Monaco before a U.S. consular officer issues the Article 5 Letter in any adoption case.

The consular officer will make a final decision about a child’s eligibility for an immigrant visa later in the adoption process.

After Adoption

SOURCE

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