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Adopting from Togo
Source: cia.gov.
Source: cia.gov.
Source: cia.gov.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
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the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.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 Togo
French Togoland became Togo in 1960. Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA, installed as military ruler in 1967, ruled Togo with a heavy hand for almost four decades. Despite the facade of multi-party elections instituted in the early 1990s, the government was largely dominated by President EYADEMA, whose Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) party has maintained power almost continually since 1967 and maintains a majority of seats in today's legislature. Upon EYADEMA's death in February 2005, the military installed the president's son, Faure GNASSINGBE, and then engineered his formal election two months later. Democratic gains since then allowed Togo to hold its first relatively free and fair legislative elections in October 2007. After years of political unrest and condemnation from international organizations for human rights abuses, Togo is finally being re-welcomed into the international community.
Hague Convention Information
Togo is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption ( Hague Adoption Convention ). Therefore all adoptions between TOGO and the United States must meet the requirements of the Convention and U.S. law implementing the Convention.
There are two types of adoptions in Togo: Plenary and simple. Both are valid for immigration purposes.
Beginning March 2010, all new adoption cases in Togo will be conducted under the guidelines of the Hague Convention. NOTE: Special transition provisions apply to some adoptions initiated before April 1, 2008.
Who Can Adopt
Adoption between the United States and Togo is governed by the Hague Adoption Convention. Therefore to adopt from Togo, you must first 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 please read about Who Can Adopt from Togo.
Who Can Be Adopted
Because Togo is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, children from Togo must meet the requirements of the Convention in order to be eligible for adoption. For example, the Convention requires that Togo attempt to place a child with a family in-country before determining that a child is eligible for intercountry adoption. In addition to Togo's requirements, a child must meet the definition of a Convention adoptee for you to bring him or her back to the United States. To learn more please read about Who Can Be Adopted from Togo.
How to Adopt
Adoption Authority
The Togolese adoption authority is the Comité National d'Adoption d'Enfants au Togo (CNAET) - National Adoption Committee for Children in Togo. While the Committee is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Child Protection, the membership of the Committee is comprised of a variety of legal and medical professionals.
Ministère de l'Action Sociale et de la Solidarité Nationale. Comité National d'Adoption d'Enfants au Togo Secretariat Permanent BP 1402 Lome, Togo Tel. (228) 221-56 39
The Process
Because Togo is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, PAPs must follow a specific process designed to meet the Convention's requirements. A brief summary of the Convention adoption process is below. You must complete these steps in the following order so that your adoption meets all the necessary legal requirements.
NOTE: If you completed a full and final adoption in Togo or filed your I-600a with USCIS before April 1, 2008, the Hague Adoption Convention may not apply to your adoption. Your adoption could continue to be processed in accordance with the immigration regulations for non-Convention adoptions. Learn more.
- Choose an Accredited Adoption Service Provider
- Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt
- Be Matched with a Child
- Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Immigration to the United States
- Ensure your Child has Adequate Travel Documents
- Adopt the Child in Togo
- Bring your Child Home
To learn more about this process please read about How to Adopt from Togo.
Traveling Abroad
Applying for Your U.S. Passport
A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave Togo. 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 Togo.
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 Togo
Ambassade des Etats-Unis d'Amérique, 4332 Blvd. Eyadema B.P. 852 Lomé, Togo Tel: (228) 261 54 70.79 Embassy Fax: (228) 261 55 01 Consular Fax: (228) 261 54 99 Email:Consularlome@state.gov Internet: U.S. Embassy Togo
Address: Comite National d'Adoption des Enfants au Togo (CNAET) Tel: (228) 222 14 09/221 69 46 Fax: (228) 222 14 09 Email: CNAET@YAHOO.FR
Embassy of Togo
Address: Embassy of the Republic of Togo, 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; Tel: (202) 234-4212 Fax: (202) 232-3190 Email: Embassyoftogo@hotmail.com Internet: Embassy of Togo
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 general immigration procedures, call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)
For questions about the I-800A or I-800 petition process, call the National Benefits Center
Toll free (877) 424-8374; Toll (816) 251-2770
E-mail: NBC.Hague@dhs.gov
SOURCE
Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State Country Information adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=togo