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Adopting from St. Vincent and the Grenedines

The official flag
Source: cia.gov.

Map
Source: cia.gov.

Map
Source: cia.gov.

The official coat of arms
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Tobago Cays group of islands
Source: flickr.com.

Mustique.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

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Source: flickr.com.

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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.

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the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.


About St. Vincent and the Grenedines

Resistance by native Caribs prevented colonization on Saint Vincent until 1719. Disputed between France and the United Kingdom for most of the 18th century, the island was ceded to the latter in 1783. Between 1960 and 1962, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was a separate administrative unit of the Federation of the West Indies. Autonomy was granted in 1969 and independence in 1979.


Hague Convention Information

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is not party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption ( Hague Adoption Convention ). Therefore, when the Hague Adoption Convention entered into force for the United States on April 1, 2008, intercountry adoption processing for St. Vincent and the Grenadines did not change.


Who Can Adopt

To bring an adopted child to United States from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, you must 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). To learn more please read about Who Can Adopt from St. Vincent and the Grenedines.


Who Can Be Adopted

St. Vincent and the Grenadines has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption. You cannot adopt a child in St. Vincent and the Grenadines unless he or she meets the requirements.


In addition to these requirements, 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.

How to Adopt

Adoption Authority

St. Vincent and the Grenadines's Adoption Authority

The Adoption Board


The Process

The process for adopting a child from St. Vincent and the Grenadines generally includes the following steps:


  1. Choose an Adoption Service Provider
  2. Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt
  3. Be Matched with a Child
  4. Adopt the Child in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
  5. Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Adoption
  6. Bring Your Child Home

To learn more about this process please read about How to Adopt from St. Vincent and the Grenedines.


Traveling Abroad

Applying for Your U.S. Passport

A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 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. To learn more please read about Traveling Abroad in St. Vincent and the Grenedines.


After Adoption

What resources are available to assist families after the adoption?

Many adoptive parents find it important to find support after the adoption. Take advantage of all the resources available to your family -- whether it's another adoptive family, a support group, an advocacy organization, or your religious or community services.


Here are some good places to start your support group search:


Child Welfare Information Gateway

North American Council on Adoptable Children

Adoption Services Support Group for Adopting Persons


Contact Information

U.S. Embassy Bridgetown ( Nearest U.S. Embassy Serving St. Vincent and the Grenadines)

Consular Section The ALICO Building Cheapside Bridgetown, Barbados Tel: (246) 431-0225 Fax: (246) 431-0179 Email: consularbridge2@state.gov Internet: U.S. Embassy Bridgetown


St. Vincent and the Grenadines' Adoption Authority

The Adoption Board c/o the Labor Department Murrays Road Kingstown St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tel: 1 (784) 456-1111


Embassy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016. Tel: 202-364-6730 Fax: 202-364-6736


St. Vincent and the Grenadines also has a consulate in New York.


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 or Adoption USCA@state.gov Internet: U.S. Department of State


U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

For questions about immigration procedures, call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC)

1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)


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=st._vincent_and_the_grenadines