Adoptions
Introduction
Disclaimer: The Consulate General urges prospective American citizen adoptive parents to consult with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before identifying or taking custody of a child or otherwise proceeding with any adoption case.
Hello and welcome! The U.S. Consulate General's Immigrant Visa Unit handles adoption cases for orphans from Hong Kong and Macau. Hong Kong/Macau authorities and American consular officers give each case careful consideration to ensure that parents meet the legal requirements of both countries, for the protection of the prospective adoptive parent(s), the biological parent(s), and the child.
On 1 April 2008, the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption entered into force for the United States. This Convention governs all adoptions between the United States and other countries party to the Convention. American citizen residents of Hong Kong or Macau who are considering adopting a child should first determine if the child's home country is a party to the Hague Convention. Please see Convention Countries for the list of Hague countries.
Intercountry adoptions can involve a significant amount of paperwork, much of which needs to be submitted to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). American citizens residing in Hong Kong and Macau are serviced by the USCIS district office in Bangkok, Thailand (contact information.) Americans residing outside Hong Kong and Macau are advised to locate their local USCIS office. For a brief synopsis of the procedures associated with intercountry adoption, please review the State Department's adoption booklet.
I reside in Hong Kong/Macau and I am planning to adopt a child. Where can I obtain additional information about the process?
Please see Adoption for general information on the USCIS process. Questions about filing I-600/I-600A/I-800/I-800A petitions, home study requirements or other documentation requirements should be directed to the USCIS office in Bangkok. Questions about obtaining an immigrant visa for a child adopted in Hong Kong and Macau should be directed to the Consulate General's Immigrant Visa Unit.
USCIS District Office contact information
E-mail: bkkcis.inquiries@dhs.gov
Phone: +66-2-205-5352
Fax: +66-2-255-2917
Mail: DHS/USCIS
Sindhorn, Tower 2, 15th Floor
130-133 Wireless Rd.
Lumpini Pathumwan
Bangkok Thailand 10330
Immigrant Visa Unit contact information
E-mail: Please use the Visa Inquiry Form on our website.
Fax: +852-2147-3586
Mail: U.S. Consulate General
26 Garden Road, Hong Kong
I need to be fingerprinted for a USCIS service such as adjustment of status, re-entry permit, adoption or a naturalization application. Does the Consulate General offer fingerprinting services?
American citizens residing in Hong Kong or Macau who need to be fingerprinted for an adoption related service should contact the Immigrant Visa Unit. Fingerprinting service costs US$85 for each person, although any first time fingerprint renewal is free. The fingerprinting fee may be paid by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express or Diners Club. All credit card transactions are in U.S. dollars, as if the transaction occurred in the United States) or cash (U.S. dollars or Hong Kong dollar equivalent). Fingerprinting is conducted on Wednesday afternoons at 2pm. Please contact the Immigrant Visa Unit (see information below) for an appointment.
Email: Please use the Visa Inquiry Form on our website
Fax: +852-2147-3586
Mail: U.S. Consulate General, 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong
Individuals residing in Hong Kong or Macau, who need to be fingerprinted for an N-400 citizenship application, and who have already received fingerprint cards and a Notice of Action regarding fingerprinting overseas, should contact the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office. Fingerprinting is conducted by appointment only, generally on the first and third Wednesday of the month, from 4-5 pm on the first floor of the Consulate General. Please contact the ICE office for an appointment: phone: +852-2841-2199, fax: +852-2810-6550, mail: ICE, U.S. Consulate General, 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong.
I would like to learn more about intercountry adoptions or the Hague convention.
American citizens considering an intercountry adoption are encouraged to review the State Department website. Additional information on adopting in Hague and non-Hague countries may also be obtained by contacting the State Department's Office of Children's Issues:
Email: AdoptionUSCA@state.gov or askci@state.gov
Phone: 202-736-9089
Fax: 202-736-9080
Mailing address:
Department of State
CA / OCS / CI
2201 C. Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20520-2818
Alternate for U.S. Postal Service and Couriers (DHL, UPS, etc):
U.S. Department of State
Office of Children's Issues, SA-29
2100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 4th floor
Washington, D.C. 20037
Where can I get an expeditious naturalization certificate and passport for my adopted child?
If you reside overseas your adopted child will not automatically acquire citizenship at the port of entry. Instead you will be required to file Form N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate under Section 322, and make an appointment with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Homeland Security. The appointment must take place at a USCIS office inside the United States. After the appointment date is confirmed, you need to apply for a non-immigrant visa for your adopted child in order to attend the N-600K interview. Form N-600K and instructions can be downloaded from the USCIS Web Site: USCIS - Forms. Please read the instructions to see if your child is eligible for an N-600K application.
When your adopted child is found eligible for U.S. citizenship after the interview with USCIS in the United States, your child will be entitled a certificate of U.S. citizenship. You should then go to the nearest Passport Office to apply for a U.S. passport for your adopted child. By regulations, a U.S. citizen should use a U.S. passport when traveling. Information for applications for U.S. passports can be found at: Passports
If you need further information on N-600K procedures, please contact the USCIS district office in Bangkok:
E-mail: bkkcis.inquiries@dhs.gov
Phone: +66-2-205-5352
Fax: +66-2-255-2917
Mail: DHS/USCIS
Sindhorn, Tower 2, 15th Floor
130-133 Wireless Rd.
Lumpini Pathumwan
Bangkok Thailand 10330
Last modified: June 11, 2012
- Translation:
- 中文版