Adopting from Cameroon
Notice: As of July 14, 2014, all individuals and agencies facilitating international adoptions must be in compliance with the Intercountry Universal Accreditation Act.
Contents
Cameroon Adoption Alert
There have been several adoption alerts for Cameroon. To learn more, read Cameroon Adoption Alert.
About Cameroon
French Cameroon became independent in 1960 as the Republic of Cameroon. The following year the southern portion of neighboring British Cameroon voted to merge with the new country to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon. To learn more, read About Cameroon.
Hague Convention Information
Cameroon is not party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Therefore, when the Hague Adoption Convention entered into force for the United States on April 1, 2008, intercountry adoption processing for Cameroon did not change. To learn more, read about Cameroon and the Hague Convention.
Who Can Adopt
To bring an adopted child to United States from Cameroon, you must 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). To learn more, read about Who Can Adopt from Cameroon.
Who Can Be Adopted
Cameroon has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption. To learn more, read about Who Can Be Adopted from Cameroon.
How to Adopt
The process for adopting a child from Cameroon generally includes the following steps:
- Choose an Adoption Service Provider
- Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt
- Be Matched with a Child
- Adopt the Child in Cameroon
- Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Adoption
- Bring Your Child Home
To learn more, read about How to Adopt from Cameroon.
Traveling Abroad
Applying for Your U.S. Passport
U.S. citizens are required to enter and depart the United States on a valid U.S. passport. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify United States 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. To learn more, read about Traveling Abroad in Cameroon.
After Adoption
What does Cameroon require of the adoptive parents after the adoption?
Cameroon does not require post-adoption reporting at this time.
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
NOTE: Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links does not imply endorsement of contents.
Contact Information
U.S. Embassy in Cameroon
Avenue Rosa Parks P.O. Box 817 Yaoundé, Cameroon Tel: (237) 2220-15-00 YaoundeACS@state.gov
Cameroonian Adoption Authority
Ministry of Social Affairs/High Court (Tribunal de Grande Instance) SubDepartment of Child Protection situationed at Meki Quarters Sous Direction de la Sauvegarde de L'Enfant-SDSE Tel: 2220-02-16
Embassy of the Republic of Cameroon
2349 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W Washington, D.C. 20036 Tel: (202) 265-8790 Fax: (202) 387-3826 Internet: Embassy of the Republic of Cameroon
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 E-mail: AskCI@state.gov Internet: U.S. Department of State
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
For questions about immigration procedures, call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC)
1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)
SOURCE
Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State Country Information[1]