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Adopting from Turkey

Revision as of 04:03, 11 April 2014 by Admin (Talk | contribs)

The official flag of Turkey.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Map of Turkey.
Source: cia.gov.

Map of Turkey.
Source: cia.gov.

The Hagia Sophia.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Interior of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Sümela Monastery on the Pontic Mountains, Turkey.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Children in Istanbul, Turkey.
Source: flickr.com.

A classroom in Istanbul, Turkey.
Source: flickr.com.

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul(The Blue Mosque), Turkey.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Yeni Camii (Yeni-mosque) in Istanbul from the Golden Horn.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Istanbul's Grand Bazaar.
Source: Wikipedia.org.


Hague Convention Information

Turkey 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 Turkey and the United States must meet the requirements of the Convention and U.S. law implementing the Convention.


Turkey is not considered a country of origin in intercountry adoption. Many Turkish families both within and outside Turkey are interested in adopting orphans even though there is a several-year waiting period. Turkish families are given preference in adoption of children between the ages of 0 and 6, and are able to adopt children with or without medical problems.


Foreign nationals generally only can adopt children who cannot be placed with Turkish families or who have special needs. The information provided is intended primarily to assist in rare adoption cases from Turkey, including adoptions of Turkish children by Turkish-American dual nationals, relatives in the United States, or adoptions from third countries by Americans living in Turkey.


Note: Turkish law requires prospective adoptive parents to spend a year caring for the child in Turkey prior to finalizing the adoption. Although Turkish law allows for a child to leave Turkey during the one-year probationary period, a U.S. visa cannot be issued until the probationary period is over and the adoption is final. U.S. prospective adoptive parents should be prepared to remain in Turkey for one year.

Who Can Adopt

Residency

Age of Adopting Parents

Marriage

Income

Other

Who Can Be Adopted

How to Adopt

Adoption Authority

The Process

Traveling Abroad

Applying for Your U.S. Passport

A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave Turkey. 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.


Obtaining Your Visa

In addition to a U.S. passport, you also need to obtain a visa. A visa is an official document issued by a foreign country that formally allows you to visit. Where required, visas are attached to your passport and allow you to enter a foreign nation. To find information about obtaining a visa for Turkey, see the Department of State's Country Specific Information.


Staying Safe on Your Trip

Before you travel, it's always a good practice to investigate the local conditions, laws, political landscape, and culture of the country. The State Department is a good place to start. The Department of State provides Country Specific Information for every country of the world about various issues, including the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, and any areas of instability.


Staying in Touch on Your Trip

When traveling during the adoption process, we encourage you to register your trip with the Department of State. Travel registration makes it possible to contact you if necessary. Whether there's a family emergency in the United States, or a crisis in Turkey, registration assists the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in reaching you. Registration is free and can be done online.

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


SOURCE

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