Adopting from Angola

Hague Convention Information

Angola 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).

Adopting in Angola is a complex process. It can take years to identify a child for adoption and to complete all of the required steps and takes an Act of the National Assembly to approve each intercountry adoption. Prospective adoptive parents should note that Angolan adoption laws, which are currently being revised, are very strict. To ensure that the adoption process is completed successfully and in a timely manner, the U.S. Embassy in Angola strongly suggests that prospective adoptive parents consult an Angolan attorney.

U.S. IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTIONS

To bring an adopted child to the United States from Angola, you must meet eligibility and suitability requirements. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) determines Who Can Adopt under U.S. immigration law.

Additionally, a child must meet the definition of orphan under U.S. law in order to be eligible to immigrate to the United States on an IR-3 or IR-4 immigrant visa.

Who Can Adopt

In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, you must also meet the following requirements in order to adopt a child from Angola:

Residency

None

Age of Adopting Parents

Prospective adoptive parents must be at least 25 years old and at least 16 years older than the prospective adoptive child.

Marriage

Prospective adoptive parents may be married, single, or in a common-law relationship.

Income

None

Other

Prospective adoptive parent(s) must be in good physical and mental health, and financially capable of supporting and providing an education for the adopted child.

Who Can Be Adopted

In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, Angola has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption:

Relinquishment: Adoption requires the consent of the prospective adoptive child’s birth parent(s) or the legal guardian. Consent will be waived with regard to a child or adolescent whose parents are unknown or who have been stripped of their parental rights.

Abandonment: None.

Age of Adoptive Child: Less than 18 years old.

Sibling Adoptions: None.

Special Needs or Medical Conditions: None.

Waiting Period or Foster Care: Two years.

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, with the intention of returning for the child when they are able to do so. In such cases, the birth parent(s) have rarely relinquished their parental rights or consented to their child(ren)’s adoption.

After Adoption

SOURCE

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