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Adopting from Botswana
Source: cia.gov.
Source: cia.gov.
Source: cia.gov.
Source: cia.gov.
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the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.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 Botswana
Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. More than four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most stable economies in Africa. To learn more, read About Botswana.
Hague Convention Information
Botswana is not party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption(the 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). Read more about Botswana and the Hague Convention.
Who Can Adopt
In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, you must meet the several requirements in order to adopt a child from Botswana. To learn more, read about Who Can Adopt from Botswana.
Who Can Be Adopted
In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, Botswana has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption. To learn more, read about Who Can Be Adopted from Botswana.
How to Adopt
While the Ministry of Local Government has oversight of the entire process, the Magistrate Court is the only body which issues binding legal decisions regarding children's issues. The Magistrate Court is referred to as the Children's Court when it hears cases involving children. The Magistrate Court gives priority to children's cases, therefore custody and adoption cases do not queue with other matters before the court. While the court is under no legal obligation to involve social workers in children's issues, they typically do. However, social workers have described rare cases in which custody has been granted solely at the judge's discretion. Learn more about How to Adopt from Botswana.
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 Botswana.
After Adoption
The Department of State is not aware of any post-adoption reporting requirements at this time governing adoptions from Botswana.
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 Botswana
Address: Embassy Drive, Government Enclave Gaborone, Botswana Tel: 267-395-3982 Fax: 267-318-0232 Email: consulargaborone@state.gov Internet: U.S. Embassy in Botswana
Botswana’s Adoption Authority: Ministry of Local Government
Address: Bag 0097, Gaborone, Botswana Tel: 267-397-1916
Embassy of Botswana
Address: 1531 New Hampshire Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20036 Tel: 202-244-4990 Fax: 202-244-4164 Internet: Embassy of Botswana
U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg, South Africa
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 787197, Sandton, 2146 Johannesburg, South Africa
Physical Address: 1 Sandton Drive, Sandhurst (opposite Sandton City Mall) Johannesburg, South Africa Tel: (27 11) 290-3000 Fax: (27 11) (011) 884-0396 Email: consularjohannesburg@state.gov
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 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 adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=botswana