Adopting from Albania

Hague Convention Information

WARNING: Albania is party to the Hague Adoption Convention. Do not adopt or obtain legal custody of a child in Albania before a U.S. consular officer issues an "Article 5 Letter." See the "How to Adopt" section for more information.

Albania 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 Albania and the United States must meet the requirements of the Convention; the U.S. implementing legislation, the Intercountry Act of 2000 (IAA); and the IAA implementing regulations.

Who Can Adopt

Adoption between the United States and Albania is governed by the Hague Adoption Convention. Therefore to adopt from Albania, 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). Learn more.

In addition to these U.S. requirements for prospective adoptive parents, Albania also has the following requirements for prospective adoptive parents:

Residency

No known residency requirements.

Age of Adopting Parents

Under Albanian law, prospective adoptive parents must be a minimum of 18 years older than the adopted child.

Marriage

Both married and single prospective adoptive parents are permitted. When an adoptive parent is married, the consent of their spouse is required.

Income

Considered during the adoption process by the court as an indicator of the potential parents' ability to care for the child, but no guidelines are posted.

Other

Post has not discovered any additional restrictions on adoptive parents

After Adoption

SOURCE

Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State Country Information