INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION


BAHRAIN
Disclaimer: The following is intended as a very general guide to assist U.S. citizens who plan to adopt a child from a foreign country and apply for an immigrant visa for the child to come to the United States. Two sets of laws are particularly relevant: 1) the laws of the child’s country of birth govern all activity in that country including the adoptability of individual children as well as the adoption of children in country in general; and 2) U.S. Federal immigration law governs the immigration of the child to the United States.

The information in this flyer relating to the legal requirements of specific foreign countries is based on public sources and our current understanding. It does not necessarily reflect the actual state of the laws of a child’s country of birth and is provided for general information only. Moreover, U.S. immigration law, including regulations and interpretation, changes from time to time. This flyer reflects our current understanding of the law as of this date and is not legally authoritative. Questions involving foreign and U.S. immigration laws and legal interpretation should be addressed respectively to qualified foreign or U.S. legal counsel.

The Ministry of Islamic and Justice Affairs has informed the American Embassy in Manama, that adoption is not possible in Bahrain. Muslims from birth may support a child whose father is not known, however, the child cannot inherit or take the name of the family providing support, nor can the child depart Bahrain with this family. These restrictions extend to third country national children, who are considered citizens of Bahrain when the biological father is not known.  Prospective American Guardians may want to review our Shari'a Adoption Flyer on Guardianship in Muslim Countries.

Specific questions regarding adoption issues may be addressed to:

BAHRAIN EMBASSY AND CONSULATES IN THE UNITED STATES:

Embassy of the State of Bahrain

3502 International Drive, NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
Phone: (202) 342-0741
Fax: (202) 362-2192

Bahrain also has a consulate in New York City, New York.

U.S. EMBASSY IN BAHRAIN:  Americans living or traveling abroad are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within the country of travel. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The Consular Section is located at:

Mailing Address

U.S. Embassy Manama
Box 26431
Manama, Bahrain
Zinj, Bahrain

Street Address

U.S. Embassy Manama
Bldg. 979
Road 3119 Block 331
Phone: 973-273-300
Afterhours: 973-275-126
Fax: 973-272-594
Work Week: Sunday through Wednesday

Note:   Visa issuance after the final interview now generally takes 24 hours and it will not normally be possible to provide the visa to adoptive parents on the day of the interview.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Prospective adoptive parents are strongly encouraged to consult USCIS publication M-249, The Immigration of Adopted and Prospective Adoptive Children , as well as the Department of State publication, International Adoptions for general information on international adoptions.

QUESTIONS: Specific questions regarding adoption in Bahrain may be addressed to the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Bahrain. You may also contact the Office of Children's Issues, SA-29, 2201 C Street, NW, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20520-2818, telephone 1-888-407-4747 with specific questions. Information is also available 24 hours a day from several sources.

Telephone

Office of Children’s Issues - Recorded information regarding changes in adoption procedures and general information, 1-888-407-4747 .

State Department Visa Office - Recorded information concerning immigrant visas for adoptive children, (202) 663-1225 .

Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security - Recorded information for requesting immigrant visa application forms, 1-800-870-FORM (3676).

Internet

The Consular Affairs web site at http://travel.state.gov contains international adoption information flyers and the International Adoptions brochure .

USCIS web site : http://www.uscis.gov

Other Information

Country Specific Information - published by the State Department and available for every country in the world, providing information such as the location of the U.S. embassy, health conditions, political situations, and crime reports. The information is available 24 hours a day through the Internet web site, as above.

June 2001