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How to Adopt from Argentina

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The largest ski center in Latin America, Bariloche (Argentine Patagonia).
Source: wikipedia.org.

Argentine Adoption Authority

While there is no official adoption authority, prospective adoptive parents must apply to ‘’Consejo Nacionalde Niñez, Adolescencia y Familia’’.

The Process

The process for adopting a child from Argentina 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 Argentina
  5. Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Adoption
  6. Bring Your Child Home


NOTE: By Argentine law, the adoptive parents must inform the child of his/her adoption before the age of 18. According to the laws of Argentina, adopted children have the right to know their true biological identity and will have access to their adoption file once they have reached the age of 18. This is a commitment that the adopting parents must sign at the court at the time the adoption is granted.


1. Choose an Adoption Service Provider

The first step in adopting a child is usually to select a licensed agency in the United States that can help with your adoption. Adoption service providers must be licensed by the U.S. state in which they operate. Learn more about choosing the right adoption service provider.

Because Argentina does not currently allow intercountry adoption, and adoption is restricted to Argentine citizens and permanent resident aliens residing in Argentina, the following information is meant to be a general overview of the process for those who are qualified to adopt.


2. Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt

To bring an adopted child from Argentina to the United States, you must apply to be found eligible to adopt (Form I-600A) by the U.S. Government, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Learn how.

Prospective adoptive parents must file an application with the court having jurisdiction over their domicile. In that application, they may indicate their preference for the child's gender and age, and whether they consider themselves capable to adopt a child with health problems or other special needs.

The prospective adoptive parents' names will be placed on a single nationwide list by filing date and be made public. The Consejo de la Ninez, Adolenscencia y Familia will inform them when their turn is reached. Adoptive parents may check their name status by contacting the Consejo at the address included in the Contact Information Section.

In addition to meeting the U.S. requirements for adoptive parents, you need to meet the requirements of Argentina as described in the Who Can Adopt section.


3. Be Matched with a Child

If you are eligible to adopt, and a child is available for intercountry adoption, the central adoption authority in Argentina will provide you with a referral to a child. Each family must decide for itself whether or not it will be able to meet the needs of a particular child and provide a permanent family placement for the referred child.

Once matched with a child, the court will release a child in guardianship to the prospective adoptive parents. The child will remain under the jurisdiction of the court for the full period of guardianship. In no case will the child be permitted to depart Argentina.

The child must be eligible to be adopted according to Argentina's requirements, as described in the Who Can Be Adopted section. The child must also meet the definition of an orphan under U.S. law. Learn more.


4. Adopt the Child (or Gain Legal Custody) in-country

Application for adoption can only be filed after the guardianship period of no less than six months and not more than twelve months has elapsed. Birth parents will lose all rights and obligations after that time and these rights will be transferred to the prospective adoptive parents.

The process for finalizing the adoption (or gaining legal custody) in Argentina generally includes the following:


  1. Proof of Argentine citizenship or legal permanent residence in Argentine for the last five years
  2. Copy of the prospective adoptive parents' marriage certificate (if applicable)
  3. Evidence of good conduct
  4. Evidence of financial ability


NOTE: Additional documents may be requested. If you are asked to provide proof that a document from the United States is authentic, we can help. Learn how.


5. Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Adoption

The adopted child will be granted the father's surname or compound father and mother's surname is requested by the parents. The adoptive parents may request the issuance of a new birth certificate identifying the adoptive parents as the child's legal parents.

After you finalize the adoption (or gain legal custody) in Argentina, the U.S Government, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) MUST determine whether the child is eligible under U.S. law to be adopted (Form I-600). Learn how.


6. Bring Your Child Home

Now that your adoption is complete (or you have obtained legal custody of the child), there are a few more steps to take before you can head home. Specifically, you need to apply for several documents for your child before he or she can travel to the United States:


1. Birth Certificate

You will first need to apply for a new birth certificate for your child, so that you can later apply for a passport. Your name will be added to the new birth certificate.

Once the adoption is complete, the adoptive parents may request the issuance of a new birth certificate.

2. Argentine Passport

Your child is not yet a U.S. citizen, so he/she will need a travel document or Passport from Argentina.

After the adoption is finalized, the parents may apply to the Argentine Federal Police for the issuance of a passport. See Policia Federal for more information. To travel outside of Argentina, the child must carry signed, written permission from both parents, or from the non-traveling parent (if traveling with only one parent).

3. U.S. Immigrant Visa

After you obtain the new birth certificate and passport for your child, you also need to apply for an U.S. visa from the United States Embassy for your child. After the adoption (or custody for purpose of adoption) is granted, visit the U.S. Embassy for final review and approval of the child's I-600 petition and to obtain a visa for the child. This immigrant visa allows your child to travel home with you. As part of this process, the Consular Officer must be provided the Panel Physician's medical report on the child if it was not provided during the provisional approval stage. Learn more.


Immigrant visa petition filings for children adopted in Argentina are accepted at the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires by appointment only. Adoptive parents should email the Consular Section's Immigrant Visa unit at BuenosAires-IV@state.gov to request an appointment or to request information on documentation and other information you will be required to provide at the visa interview.


Adoptive parents should allow at least one week between the day of the final interview and receipt of the adopted child's immigrant visa package. The adoptive parents should not finalize their travel arrangements until they are advised that the adopted child's immigrant visa has been approved and is ready for issuance.


Child Citizenship Act


For adoptions finalized abroad: The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 allows your new child to acquire American citizenship automatically when he or she enters the United States as lawful permanent residents.

For adoptions finalized in the United States: The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 allows your new child to acquire American citizenship automatically when the court in the United States issues the final adoption decree.


Please be aware that if your child did not qualify to become a citizen upon entry to the United States, it is very important that you take the steps necessary so that your child does qualify as soon as possible. Failure to obtain citizenship for your child can impact many areas of his/her life including family travel, eligibility for education and education grants, and voting. Learn more about the Child Citizenship Act.

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