Advertisements

How to Adopt from Algeria

Revision as of 11:02, 7 July 2021 by Admin (Talk | contribs)

(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)

Tadrart Rouge.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

The Process

The process for adopting a child from Algeria generally includes the following steps:


  1. Choose an Adoption Service Provide
  2. Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt
  3. Be Matched with a Child
  4. Adopt the Child in Algeria
  5. Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Adoption
  6. Bring Your Child Home


There are no adoption agencies operating in Algeria.


1.Choose an Adoption Service Provider

There are no adoption agencies operating in Algeria. The first step in adopting a child from Algeria is to decide whether or not to use an Adoption Service Provider licensed agency in the United States that can help with your adoption. Adoption service providers must be licensed by the U.S. state in which they operate. Read more about choosing the right adoption service providers.


2.Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt

To bring an adopted child from Algeria to the United States, you must apply to be found eligible to adopt (Form I-600A) by the U.S. Government, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

In addition to meeting the U.S. requirements for adoptive parents, you need to meet the requirements of Algeria as described in the Who Can Adopt section.


3.Be Matched with a Child

If you are eligible to adopt, and a child is available for intercountry adoption, the Commission of the Ministry of National Solidarity in Algeria will provide you with a list of orphanages in Algeria that you can than consult with to determine if any eligible children are available. Each family must decide for itself whether or not it will be able to meet the needs of a particular child and provide a permanent family placement for that child.

The child must be eligible to be adopted according to Algeria's requirements, as described in the Who Can be Adopted section. The child must also meet the definition of an orphan under U.S. law. Find out more about the orphan process from USCIS.


4. Adopt the Child (or Gain Legal Custody) In-Algeria

The process for finalizing the adoption (or gaining legal custody) in Algeria generally includes the following:


  • ROLE OF THE ALGERIAN EMBASSY: First, a prospective adoptive parent must submit a request for kafala to the Algerian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Once the Algerian Embassy receives this request and accompanying information, its social services division will begin an investigation of the prospective parents. If the social services division provides a positive recommendation for adoption, the Algerian Embassy will forward the file to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Algeria, which will in turn forward the file to the Ministry of National Solidarity. The Commission of the Ministry of National Solidarity will ultimately make the decision of whether or not to grant kafala. The Commission of the Ministry of National Solidarity only meets every three months.
  • ADOPTION AUTHORITY: N/A
  • ROLE OF THE COURT: Issues the name change document, if any.
  • ADOPTION APPLICATION: This consists of the request for kafala described elsewhere.
  • TIME FRAME: The U.S Embassy cannot predict how long the process will take. The process of obtaining kafala is generally a long one.
  • ADOPTION FEES: There are no fees for the process of obtaining kafala. The orphanages in Algiers (the "pouponnieres") do not require any payment.
  • DOCUMENTS REQUIRED: When submitting a request for legal custody to the Algerian Embassy, the prospective parent should include:
1. A written request for kafala, including his or her reasons for desiring the kafala
2. A birth certificate for each of the prospective adoptive parents
3. The family form ('fiche familiale') for married prospective adoptive parents
4. Medical certificates
5. Criminal records delivered by authorities of the country of residence
6. Work certificates
7. Pay stubs for the last three months
8. A copy of the consular registration card(s)
9. Citizenship certificate of the prospective adoptive parents
10. Recent photo ID of the prospective parents
11. Proof of title or the residential lease agreement for their home


See http://www.algeria-us.org/content/view/102/25/. All documents should be translated into French, and dollar amounts should be converted into Euros.


NOTE: Additional documents may be requested. If you are asked to provide proof that a document from the United States is authentic, read more on Traveling Abroad to learn about Authenticating U.S. Documents.


5. Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Adoption

After you finalize the kafala in Algeria, the U.S Government, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) MUST determine whether the child is eligible under U.S. law to be adopted (Form I-600).


6. Bring Your Child Home

Now that your kafala is complete, there are a few more steps to take before you can head home. Specifically, you need to apply for several documents for your child before he or she can travel to the United States:


1. Birth Certificate

The birth certificate is delivered by the relevant orphanage, which will have the birth certificate of each child placed under their care. After obtaining the kafala, the adoptive parent may ask for a new birth certificate at the city hall (mairie) of the child's birthplace as listed in the original birth certificate obtained from the orphanage.

2. Algerian Passport

Your child is not yet a U.S. citizen, so he/she will need a travel document or Passport from Algeria.

To obtain an Algerian passport for the child, the adoptive parent will have to supply on his or her behalf the following:


1. Birth certificate;
2. Citizenship certificate (for someone born in Algeria, the birth certificate IS the citizenship certificate);
3. Residency certificate;
4. 4 photos; and
5. Tax stamp.


The application for the passport is made through the passport office at "La Daria".


3. U.S. Immigrant Visa

After you obtain the new birth certificate and passport for your child, you also need to apply for an U.S. visa from the United States Embassy for your child. After the kafala is granted, you will need to schedule an appointment with the U.S. Embassy for final review and approval of the child's I-600 petition and to obtain a visa for the child. This immigrant visa allows your child to travel home with you. As part of this process, the Consular Officer must be provided the Panel Physician's medical report on the child if it was not provided during the provisional approval stage. Read more about Health Consideration.


Child Citizenship Act


For adoptions finalized abroad: The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 allows your new child to acquire American citizenship automatically when he or she enters the United States as lawful permanent residents.

For adoptions finalized in the United States: The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 allows your new child to acquire American citizenship automatically when the court in the United States issues the final adoption decree.


Please be aware that if your child did not qualify to become a citizen upon entry to the United States, it is very important that you take the steps necessary so that your child does qualify as soon as possible. Failure to obtain citizenship for your child can impact many areas of his/her life including family travel, eligibility for education and education grants, and voting.

Back to Adopting from Algeria