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Adopting from Afghanistan
Source: cia.gov.
Source: cia.gov.
Notice: As of July 14, 2014, all individuals and agencies facilitating international adoptions must be in compliance with the Intercountry Universal Accreditation Act.
Contents
Hague Convention Information
Afghanistan is not party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Read more about Afghanistan and the Hague Convention.
Who Can Adopt
In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, you must also meet the following requirements in order to adopt a child from Afghanistan (go to Who Can Adopt from Afghanistan") .
Who Can Be Adopted
In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, Afghanistan has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption (go to Who Can Be Adopted from Afghanistan).
Relinquishment Requirement:The child’s biological father, if living, may relinquish the child, or the Afghan Family Court can designate a legal guardian to do so.
Abandonment Requirement: As determined by the Afghan Family Court.
Age of Adoptive Child Requirement: Guardianship terminates when the child reaches the age of 18.
Sibling Adoption Requirement: N/A
Special Needs or Medical Condition Requirement: N/A
Waiting Period or Foster Care Requirement: N/A
Caution: Prospective adoptive parents should be aware that not all children in orphanages or children’s homes are adoptable. In many countries, birth parents place their child(ren) temporarily in an orphanage or children’s home due to financial or other hardship, intending that the child return home when this becomes possible. In such cases, the birth parent(s) have rarely relinquished their parental rights or consented to their child(ren)’s adoption.
In order to adopt a child from Afghanistan, a child must meet the definition of an orphan under U.S. law for you to bring him or her back to the United States. Find out more about Who Can Be Adopted and these U.S. requirements.
Prospective adoptive parents may petition the Afghan family court for guardianship of a specific child. However, obtaining legal guardianship under Afghan law does not automatically signify that a child is an orphan under U.S. law.
How to Adopt
Afghan's Adoption Authority
There is no central government adoption authority. Guardianship proceedings are handled by the Afghan Family Court.
The Process
The process for adopting a child from Afghanistan generally includes the following steps: (go to How to Adopt from Afghanistan.)
After Adoption
Guardians are not required to provide periodic reports on the child’s adjustment and welfare to the Afghan Family Court.
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
American Council on Adoptable Children
Adoption Services Support Groups for Adopting Persons
Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Kabul Great Massoud Road, Kabul, Afghanistan Tel: +011 0700 108 499 Email: KabulACS@state.gov Internet: U.S. Embassy Kabul
Embassy of Afghanistan
2233 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.
Suite #216
Washington, D.C. 20007
Tel: (202) 298-9125
Fax: (202) 298-9127
Email: consulate@embassyofafghanistan.org
Internet: Embassy of Afghanistan
Afghanistan also has consulates in New York and Los Angeles.
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
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)
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@uscis.dhs..gov
SOURCE
Intercountry Adoption. Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State. Country Information. [1] Last updated July 2013