Latest revision as of 03:01, 24 February 2018

The official flag.
Source: cia.gov.

Map.
Source: cia.gov.

The official coat of arms
Source: Wikipedia.org.

'
Source: Wikipedia.org.

A Tuvaluan dancer.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

School on Funafuti Atoll
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Funafuti
Source: Wikipedia.org.

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the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.

About Tuvalu

In 1974, ethnic differences within the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands caused the Polynesians of the Ellice Islands to vote for separation from the Micronesians of the Gilbert Islands. The following year, the Ellice Islands became the separate British colony of Tuvalu. Independence was granted in 1978. In 2000, Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name ".tv" for $50 million in royalties over a 12-year period. Source: www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tv.html.

Hague Convention Information

Tuvalu 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 Tuvalu did not change.

There are two important points to consider when adopting a child from Tuvalu: 1) Only children below the age of 12 may be adopted; and 2) children who have attained the age of 10 years are usually, but not always, required to consent to their adoption.

Who Can Adopt

To bring an adopted child to United States from Tuvalu, 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 Tuvalu.

Who Can Be Adopted

Tuvalu has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption. You cannot adopt a child in Tuvalu unless he or she meets the requirements outlined below. 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. Learn more about these U.S. requirements. To learn more please read about Who Can Be Adopted from Tuvalu.

How to Adopt

Adoption Authority

Tuvalu 's Adoption Authority

There is no support system or body in Tuvalu which oversees international adoptions. The Senior Magistrate Court handles international adoptions.

The Process

The process for adopting a child from Tuvalu generally includes the following steps:

Choose an Adoption Service Provider
Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt
Be Matched with a Child
Adopt the Child (or Gain Legal Custody) in Tuvalu
Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Adoption
Bring Your Child Home

To learn more about this process please read How to Adopt from Tuvalu.

Traveling Abroad

Applying for Your U.S. Passport

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

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 in Tuvalu

The United States does not have an Embassy or Mission in Tuvalu. The Embassy that covers Tuvalu is located in Fiji. That Embassy's Consular Section is located at:

The Embassy of the United States, Suva, Fiji 31 Loftus Street P.O. Box 218 Suva, Fiji Tel: (679) 331-4466 Fax: (679) 330-2267 Email: consularsuva@state.gov Internet: U.S. Embassy Tuvalu

Tuvalu's Adoption Authority

Magistrate's Court Funafuti, Tuvalu Tel: (+688) 20837

Embassy of Tuvalu

Tuvalu does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Washington, D.C. Tuvalu's only official representative in the United States is at the United Nations in New York:

The Permanent Mission of Tuvalu to the United Nations 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400 B New York, NY 10017 Tel: (+1 212) 490-0534 Fax: (+1 212) 808-4975

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 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=tuvalu

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-=Hague Convention Information=
+{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/flags/large/tv-lgflag.gif|410x579px|thumb|'''The official flag.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
+{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/maps/tv-map.gif|410x579px|thumb|'''Map.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
-=Who Can Adopt=
+{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/locator/aus/tv_large_locator.gif|410x579px|thumb|'''Map.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
+{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Coat_of_arms_of_Tuvalu.svg/568px-Coat_of_arms_of_Tuvalu.svg.png|410x579px|thumb|'''The official coat of arms'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
-==Residency==
+{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Tuvalu_Funafuti_atoll_beach.jpg/800px-Tuvalu_Funafuti_atoll_beach.jpg|410x579px|thumb|''''''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
-==Age of Adopting Parents==
+{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f2/Dancer%2C_Tuvalu_stage%2C_2011_Pasifika_festival.jpg/343px-Dancer%2C_Tuvalu_stage%2C_2011_Pasifika_festival.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''A Tuvaluan dancer.'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
-==Marriage==
+{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1e/Tuvalu_-_Funafuti_-_School.jpg/800px-Tuvalu_-_Funafuti_-_School.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''School on Funafuti Atoll'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
-==Income==
+{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/50/Northern_Funafuti.jpg/800px-Northern_Funafuti.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''Funafuti'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
-==Other==
+{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Nanumea.jpg/437px-Nanumea.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''Nanumea atoll from space.'''<BR/>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.
+=About Tuvalu=
+In 1974, ethnic differences within the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands caused the Polynesians of the Ellice Islands to vote for separation from the Micronesians of the Gilbert Islands. The following year, the Ellice Islands became the separate British colony of [[Tuvalu]]. Independence was granted in 1978. In 2000, [[Tuvalu]] negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name ".tv" for $50 million in royalties over a 12-year period. Source: www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tv.html.
+=Hague Convention Information=
+[[Tuvalu]] 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 [[Tuvalu]] did not change.
+There are two important points to consider when adopting a child from [[Tuvalu]]: 1) Only children below the age of 12 may be [[adopted]]; and 2) children who have attained the age of 10 years are usually, but not always, required to consent to their [[adoption]].
+=Who Can Adopt=
+To bring an [[adopted]] child to United States from [[Tuvalu]], 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 Tuvalu]].
 =Who Can Be Adopted=
+[[Tuvalu]] has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for [[adoption]]. You cannot [[adopt]] a child in [[Tuvalu]] unless he or she meets the requirements outlined below.  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. Learn more about these U.S. requirements. To learn more please read about [[Who Can Be Adopted from Tuvalu]].
 =How to Adopt=
+==Adoption Authority==
-==    Adoption Authority==
+'''[[Tuvalu]] 's [[Adoption]] Authority'''
+There is no support [[system]] or body in [[Tuvalu]] which oversees [[international]] adoptions. The Senior Magistrate Court handles [[international]] adoptions.
 ==The Process==
+The process for adopting a child from [[Tuvalu]] generally includes the following steps:
+# Choose an [[Adoption Service Provider]]
+# Apply to be Found Eligible to [[Adopt]]
+# Be Matched with a Child
+# [[Adopt]] the Child (or Gain [[Legal Custody]]) in [[Tuvalu]]
+# Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for [[Adoption]]
+# Bring Your Child Home
+To learn more about this process please read [[How to Adopt from Tuvalu]].
 =Traveling Abroad=
@@ Line 30: / Line 71: @@
 '''Applying for Your U.S. Passport'''
-A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave Tuvalu. 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 [https://pptform.state.gov/ 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.
+A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave [[Tuvalu]]. 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 Tuvalu]].
-'''Obtaining Your Visa'''
+=After Adoption=
-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 Tuvalu, see the Department of State's [http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html Country Specific Information].
+'''What resources are available to assist families after the [[adoption]]?'''
+Many [[Adoptive Parents|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.
-'''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 [http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html 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.
+Here are some good places to start your support group search:
-'''Staying in Touch on Your Trip'''
+[https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f_postadoption.cfm Child Welfare Information Gateway]
-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 Tuvalu, registration assists the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in reaching you. Registration is free and can be done online.
+[http://www.nacac.org/ North American Council on Adoptable Children]
+[http://www.adoptionservices.org/adoption_support_groups_family/index.htm Adoption Services Support Group for Adopting Persons]
+==Contact Information==
+'''U.S. Embassy in [[Tuvalu]]'''
+The United States does not have an Embassy or Mission in [[Tuvalu]]. The Embassy that covers [[Tuvalu]] is located in [[Fiji]]. That Embassy's Consular Section is located at:
+The Embassy of the United States, Suva, [[Fiji]]
+Loftus Street
+P.O. Box 218
+Suva, [[Fiji]]
+Tel: (679) 331-4466
+Fax: (679) 330-2267
+Email: consularsuva@state.gov
+Internet: [http://suva.usembassy.gov U.S. Embassy Tuvalu]
+'''[[Tuvalu]]'s [[Adoption]] Authority'''
+Magistrate's Court
+Funafuti, [[Tuvalu]]
+Tel: (+688) 20837
+'''Embassy of [[Tuvalu]]'''
+[[Tuvalu]] does not have an Embassy or Consulate in [[Washington]], D.C. [[Tuvalu]]'s only official representative in the United States is at the United Nations in [[New York]]:
+The Permanent Mission of [[Tuvalu]] to the United Nations
+Second Avenue, Suite 400 B
+[[New York]], NY 10017
+Tel: (+1 212) 490-0534
+Fax: (+1 212) 808-4975
+'''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
+Internet: [http://adoption.state.gov U.S. Department of State]
+'''U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)'''
+For questions about immigration procedures, call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC)
+-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)
-=After Adoption=
 ==SOURCE==
-'''Intercountry [[Adoption]], Bureau of Consular Affairs.  U.S. Department of State Country Information'''
+'''Intercountry [[Adoption]], Bureau of Consular Affairs.  U.S. Department of State Country Information''' adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=tuvalu
 [[Category: International Adoption]]

Difference between revisions of "Adopting from Tuvalu"