Country Updates

USCIS raises fees for filing
Fees for the forms needed for Immigration & Citizenship have been raised by an average of $55 per form, and from $50 to $70 for each set of fingerprints. Check our listing of Forms Needed for International Adoption & Fees for details and free downloads. Fees were raised at the end of April 2004.

State Department Caution

Important Notice Regarding Adoption Agents and Facilitators
The State Department has received a growing number of complaints concerning adoption facilitators operating in various countries. Check the U.S. State Department Web site for full details.

For official reports from the U.S. State Department, check their Web site.

Country Updates

COUNTRY	UPDATED	COMMENTS
AZERBAIJAN	05-MAY-04	Azerbaijan has put a temporary hold on international adoptions pending an ongoing investigation. At this time, there has been no indication of when adoptions will resume. Source: U.S. State Dept. more on adopting from Azerbaijan
CAMBODIA	05-JUN-02	Americans trying to circumvent the halt in Cambodian adoptions by going through the judicial system may be unable to obtain an orphan visa. Source: U.S. State Dept. more on adopting from Cambodia
COLOMBIA	04-MAR-04	Travel warnings have been updated by the State Dept. for Colombia. See the U.S. State Dept. travel warning more on adopting from Colombia
GUATEMALA	01-DEC-03	Adoptions are moving forward under a notarial process; however, parents are advised to check with their agencies to make sure their applications are in queue. more on adopting from Guatemala
ROMANIA	25-JUN-04	Romania has signed new laws concerning adoption which limit international adoption to a child's grandparents. For more information if you have been caught in the process, visit the State Dept. Romania page at http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption_romania_update.html
UKRAINE	27-APR-03	Effective May 1, 2003, the homestudy must be accompanied by a certified translation. Check the Ukraine Embassy site for details and who to contact. As of Feb. 2003, Ukraine requires two complete dossiers for the adoptions of two children, even siblings. Keep up with procedures from the US Embassy Consular Services, Kyiv, Ukraine. more on adopting from Ukraine
VIETNAM	18-MAR-03	Until negotiations between the U.S. and Vietnam are concluded under the new Vietnamese regulations, American citizens are not permitted to adopt from Vietnam. Source: U.S. State Dept.. more on adopting from Vietnam