Adopting from Burkina Faso

For adoptions finalized abroad prior to the child’s entry into the United States: A child will acquire U.S. citizenship upon entry into the United States if the adoption was finalized prior to entry and the child otherwise meets the requirements of the Child Citizenship Act of 2000.

For adoptions finalized after the child’s entry into the United States: An adoption will need to be completed following your child’s entry into the United States for the child to acquire U.S. citizenship.

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. Read more about the Child Citizenship Act of 2000.

Post-Adoption/Post–Placement Reporting Requirements

When the adoption procedure is completed and the child joins the adoptive family, a periodic follow-up on the integration of the child in the family must be done by the competent social services of the child's place of residence. This is a post-placement requirement by the Government of Burkina Faso. The adoptive parents must submit post-adoption reports on the child twice a year during the first two years following adoption and once a year until the child turns 18. The reports are submitted to the Office of Placements and Adoptions at the Ministry of Social Affairs and National Solidarity.

We strongly urge you to comply with Burkina Faso's 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 history of positive experiences with U.S. citizen adoptive parents.

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.

Obtaining a Visa to Travel to Burkina Faso

In addition to a U.S. passport, you may also need to obtain a visa. A visa is an official document issued by a foreign country that formally allows you to visit. Where required, visas are affixed to your passport and allow you to enter a foreign nation. To find information about obtaining a visa for Burkina Faso, see the Department of State's Country Specific Information.

Staying Safe on Your Trip

Before you travel, it is always a good practice to investigate the local conditions, laws, political landscape, and culture of the country. The Department of State provides Country Specific Information for every country of the world about various issues, including the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, and any areas of instability.

Staying in Touch on Your Trip

When traveling during the adoption process, we encourage you to enroll with the Department of State. Enrollment makes it possible to contact you if necessary. Whether there is a family emergency in the United States or a crisis in Burkina Faso enrollment assists the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in reaching you.

Enrollment is free and can be done online via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

After Adoption

Contact Information

U.S. Embassy in Burkina Faso

Avenue Sembene Ousmane Secteur 15, Ouaga 2000 01 BP 35, Ouagadougou 01 Tel: [226] 50-49-53-00 Fax: [226] 50-49-56-23 Email: consularouaga@state.gov Internet: U.S. Embassy in Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso Adoption Authority

Ministère de l'Action Sociale et de la Solidarité Nationale La Direction des Placements et des Adoptions Immeuble Baoghin, Secteur 10 01 BP 515, Ouagadougou 01 Burkina Faso Tel: [226] 50 30 68 80 (Switchboard)/ [226] 50 31 00 55 (Direct line) Fax: [226] 50 31 67 37

Embassy of Burkina Faso

2340 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008 Tel: (202) 332-5577 Fax: (202) 667 1882 Email: ambawdc@verizon.net Internet: Embassy of Burkina Faso

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: National Customer Service Center (NCSC) Tel: 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833) Internet: USCIS

For questions about filing a Form I-800A or I-800 petition: National Benefits Center Tel: 1-877-424-8374 (toll free); 1-816-251-2770 (local) Email: NBC.Adoptions@DHS.gov

SOURCE

11 Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State Country Information[1]