International Adoption

Provider: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE - BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS - OVERSEAS CITIZEN SERVICE

The program provides information regarding emergency situations abroad involving United States citizens who are abroad. Services include emergency communications, foreign disaster information and death certificates for United States citizens abroad. There are no geographic restrictions.

Emergency communications may be used to locate or contact a U.S. citizen who is overseas to advise him or her of an emergency situation at home. It may also be used to locate a U.S. citizen who is in a foreign country during a disaster or emergency situation.

The agency can also inform people of conditions and events in other countries which may affect U.S. citizens who are overseas. This may include information related to political unrest, wars or natural disasters.

In the case of arrest of an American citizen, the consul can assist in making contact with the arrested person, procure a list of attorneys and provide information on the host country's legal system, and offer to be the point of contact for the family.

In the case of the death of an American citizen while abroad, the office notifies the next of kin and provides information about options for the disposition of the person's remains. The agency also issues a consular report of death of a U.S. citizen abroad. The cost of transporting remains is high and is the obligation of the family.

In the case of a financial emergency in which the American is destitute while abroad, the consul can help arrange transfer of funds from relatives or friends; or, can help arrange a government loan until private funds arrive.

The office also provides assistance in the case of medical need; it can help transmit funds from private sources to the ill or injured American and can help arrange medical transport back to the United States.

The Office of Children's Issues (CI) coordinates policies on international child abduction and on international adoptions. It fulfills U.S. Treaty obligations relating to the abduction of children; the agency is empowered by the Hague Convention to return a child to his habitual place of residence if the child has been wrongfully removed or retained, and works with parents, attorneys and other government agencies to prevent child abduction. The office also can assist persons interested in international adoptions; it maintains information on the adoption process regulations in various countries.
Fee structure
Free
Application procedure
Call for Service, Write/E-mail for Service

Address

2201 C St. NW

Washington, Washington DC 20520 (Mailing)

Service hours

Service/Intake (National Passport Info Service)

+18774872778

Administrative (PM After-hours duty officer locator)

+12026474000

TDD (Federal Relay Service)

+18008778339

Service/Intake (Number to be used by people overseas)

+12025014444

Service/Intake and Hotline

+18884074747
Can’t find what you’re looking for?