Press Releases
U.S. Embassy Explains Adoption Procedures
November 26, 2007. Lusaka
November is National Adoption Month in the United States and the Embassy would like to take this opportunity to explain the clearance process, as well as answer any questions.
Adoptive parents in the U.S. undergo a thorough screening process that includes:
• Local, state and federal criminal background checks
• Health and safety inspections of their homes by various officials
• Medical Examinations for family members
• Personal recommendations from friends, family members, ministers
• Interviews by licensed social workers (7 years of education is minimum)
• Classes on various adoption issues
This investigation takes place locally (in the parent’s home state) and all information is carefully reviewed by the federal government before permission is granted for families to travel outside of the U.S to adopt children. The entire process normally takes between
6-12 months.
After a family adopts a child under Zambian law, the parent must apply to the Embassy for an immigrant visa so that the child can go permanently to the U.S. This process involves another review of the U.S. and Zambian court documents. The Embassy works closely with officials, courts, police and orphanages involved in the adoption process.
When the new family arrives in the United States, they are met by officials of the U.S. government and under most circumstances, the child is naturalized immediately—becoming a U.S. citizen upon arrival.
Most states in the U.S. offer continuing education classes to the adoptive parents, assisting them with adjustments to being a new parent and helping them to meet other adoptive families in their area. Some states require that families continue to meet with social workers and provide an annual update on their adopted child.
The U.S. Embassy in Zambia and the Departments of State, Homeland Security and Health and Human Services in the United States take the welfare of children very seriously. As a government, we are committed to providing the best future possible for all of our children. We view the strict investigations of and continuing support for adoptive families as crucial to this process.
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