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Adopting from Marshall Islands
Source: cia.gov.
Source: cia.gov.
Source: cia.gov.
Source: flickr.com.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Source: flickr.com.
Source: flickr.com.
Source: flickr.com.
Source: flickr.com.
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the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.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 Marshall Islands
After almost four decades under US administration as the easternmost part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Marshall Islands attained independence in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association. To learn more please read About Marshall Islands.
Hague Convention Information
Marshall Islands is not a 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 Marshall Islands 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 Marshall Islands. To learn more please read about Who Can Adopt from Marshall Islands.
Who Can Be Adopted
Marshall Islands 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 Marshall Islands.
How to Adopt
Adoption Authority
Marshall Islands’ Adoption Authority
Central Adoption Authority (“CAA”)
The Process
The process for adopting a child from Marshall Islands generally includes the following steps:
- Choose an Adoption Service Provider
- Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt
- Be Matched with a Child
- Adopt or gain custody of the child in Marshall Islands
- Apply for the child to be found eligible for orphan status
- Bring Your Child Home
To learn more about this process please read How to Adopt from Marshall Islands.
Traveling Abroad
Applying for Your U.S. Passport
A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave the Marshall Islands. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify U.S. passports. To learn more please read about Traveling Abroad in Marshall Islands.
After Adoption
What does the Marshall Islands require of the adoptive parents after the adoption?
Sections 827 and 828 of the Marshall Islands’ Adoptions Act of 2002 address post-adoption reporting. The adoptive parents must arrange for a post-adoption home visit during the first six months after the adoption and must file a Post Adoption Report with the CAA at the conclusion of the six month period.
The Post Adoption Report must contain a description of how the child and family are adjusting, whether bonding and attachment between the child and family are sufficient, whether the child’s health and emotional needs are being met, what the family is doing to encourage the child’s cultural heritage, and any other pertinent data sufficient to inform the birth family of the status of the child.
We strongly urge you to comply with Marshall Islands’ post-adoption requirements in a timely manner. Your adoption agency may be able to help you with this process. Your cooperation will contribute to that country’s positive experiences with U.S. citizen parents.
Post-Adoption Resources
Many adoptive parents find support services very helpful after completing an adoption. There are many public and private nonprofit post-adoption services available in the United States for children and their families. There are also numerous adoptive family support groups and adoptee organizations active in the United States that provide a network of options for adoptees who seek out other adoptees from the same country of origin. Take advantage of all the resources available to your family, whether it is another adoptive family, a support group, an advocacy organization, or your religious or community services.
Here are some places to start your support group search:
Child Welfare Information Gateway
North American Council on Adoptable Children
Adoption Services Support Groups for Adopting Persons
NOTE: Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links does not imply endorsement of contents.
Contact Information
The U.S. Embassy in Marshall Islands is located in Majuro. The U.S. Embassy in Majuro does not issue immigrant visas. The closest U.S. Embassy to the Republic of the Marshall Islands that processes immigrant visas is in Manila, Philippines.
U.S. Embassy in Majuro
P.O. Box 1379 Majuro, MH 96960 Marshall Islands Tel: (692) 247-4011 Fax: (692) 247-4012 Email: MajConsular@state.gov Internet: U.S. Embassy Majuro
U.S. Embassy in Manila
1201 Roxas Blvd. Ermita, Metro Manila – 1000 Philippines Tel: (632) 528-6300 Email: IVManilaReplies@state.gov Internet: U.S. Embassy Manilla
Central Adoption Authority of the Marshall Islands
P.O. Box 18 Majuro, MH 96960 Tel: +692 625-8240 Fax: +692 625-5353
Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
2433 Massachusetts Ave N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008 Tel: (202) 234-5414 Fax: (202) 232-3236 Email: info@rmiembassyus.org Internet: Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
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]