Adopting from Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Notice: As of July 14, 2014, all individuals and agencies facilitating international adoptions must be in compliance with the Intercountry Universal Accreditation Act.
Contents
Congo Adoption Alert
The Department of State issues Adoption Alerts to caution American citizens about adopting from a certain country. To read about alerts pertaining to the Congo, please read Adoption Alert for Congo, Democratic Republic of the.
Hague Convention Information
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is not party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption(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). To learn more, read about The Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Hague Convention.
Who Can Adopt
In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, you must also meet numerous additional requirements in order to adopt a child from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. To learn more, read about Who Can Adopt from Congo, Democratic Republic of the.
Who Can Be Adopted
In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has multiple specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption. To learn more, read about Who Can Be Adopted from Congo, Democratic Republic of the.
How to Adopt
The process for adopting a child from the Democratic Republic of the Congo 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 the democratic republic of the congo
- Apply for the child to be found eligible for orphan status
- Bring your child home
To learn more about the process, please read How to Adopt from Congo, Democratic Republic of the, How to Adopt from Congo, Democratic Republic of the Part 2 and How to Adopt from Congo, Democratic Republic of the Part 3.
Traveling Abroad
Applying for Your U.S. Passport
U.S. citizens are required by law 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 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. To learn more, read about Traveling Abroad in Congo, Democratic Republic of the.
After Adoption
POST-ADOPTION/POST-PLACEMENT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The Democratic Republic of the Congo does not have any post-adoption reporting requirements.
Post-Adoption Resources
Many adoptive parents find it important to find support after the adoption. There are many public and private nonprofit post-adoption services available 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
U.S. Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
U.S. Embassy Kinshasa 310, Avenue des Aviateurs Kinshasa, Gombe République Démocratique du Congo Tel: +243 81 884-6623 (Mondays through Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m.) or +243-81-880-556-0151 Email: KinshasaAdoptions@state.gov Internet: U.S. Embassy Kinshasha
Democratic Republic of the Congo Adoption Authorities
Direction Générale de Migration 65, Boulevard du 30 Juin Commune de la Gombe Ville de Kinshasa, R.D.Congo Tel: +243 81 682 77 82 or +243 99 994 27 67 Email: dgm@dgm.cd or dgmetatmajor@yahoo.fr
Division of Urbaine des Affaires Sociale
33 Avenue Busudjano Quartier Ancien Combattant Commune de Kasavubu Ville de Kinshasa, R.D. Congo Tel: +243 99 873 5200 or +243 89 991 5933
Tribunal Pour Enfants – Kinshasa
Terrain Saint Therese Quartier 5 Commune de N’Djili Ville de Kinshasa, R.D. Congo Tel: +243 81 065 21 23
Embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
1726 M Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 Tel: (202) 234-7690
Office of Children’s Issues
U.S. Department of State CA/OCS/CI SA-17, 9th Floor Washington, D.C. 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]