Cambodia is a party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention or Convention). Intercountry adoption processing in Convention countries must be done in accordance with the requirements of the Hague Adoption Convention; the U.S. implementing legislation, the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (IAA); the IAA’s implementing regulations and U.S. adoption-related immigration policies; as well as the implementing legislation and regulations of Cambodia.

Intercountry adoption is not possible from Cambodia at this time.  
 
On December 21, 2001, the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (now a function of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS) suspended processing of adoption petitions for Cambodia. This decision was based on numerous concerns related to fraud in Cambodia, as well as the lack of sufficient local legal frameworks and other safeguards to protect the children's best interests. This suspension remains in effect for any Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative, filed before April 1, 2008.

When the United States joined the Hague Convention in April 2008, the Department of State (the Department) also confirmed the suspension of adoptions under the Convention process in Cambodia, based on the continuing issues of fraud and irregularity in the adoption process in Cambodia. In early 2023, the Department found Cambodia still does not have procedures and personnel to support safeguards for processing adoptions under the Convention. Therefore, the Department is unable to issue the required Hague Adoption Certificate or Hague Custody Certificate for any Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative. Without this certification, USCIS cannot approve a Form I-800 on behalf of a child from Cambodia. The Department of State will continue to monitor the situation in Cambodia and provide updates as soon as they are available.

U.S. citizen prospective adoptive parents living in Cambodia who would like to adopt a child from the United States or from a third country should contact Cambodia’s Central Authority. See contact information below.

Prospective adoptive parents who are stationed overseas on U.S. military orders, posted overseas on U.S. government orders, or are private citizens living abroad are cautioned that the Convention may apply to an adoption completed in the United States, in the host country, and/or involving a child from a third country. We also strongly encourage such prospective adoptive parents to consult with the Central Authority of the country where they are physically residing, and/or where the child is residing, to determine whether the Convention applies to a proposed adoption.

Please visit the Department of State’s country page for more information on traveling to Cambodia and U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh’s website for information on consular services.

Cambodia’s Adoption Authority:
Address:
No. 788, Preah Monivong Blvd.,
Sangkat Boeung Trabek,
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tel: (+855)-23-211-848 
Email: mosvy.dpss@gmail.com

U.S. Embassy in Cambodia 
Address:
#1, Street 96 
Sangkat Wat Phnom 
Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh 
Tel: (855-23) 728-000
Email:   IVPhnomPenh@state.gov
Internet: https://kh.usembassy.gov/

Office of Children’s Issues
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
SA-17
Washington, DC 20520
Tel: 1-888-407-4747
E-mail: Adoption@state.gov
https://adoption.state.gov/

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
For questions about a pending Form I-800A application, Form I-800 petition or related supplement:
USCIS
Tel: 1-877-424-8374 (toll free); 1-913-275-5480 (local); Fax:1-913-214-5808
Email: NBC.Adoptions@uscis.dhs.gov

For other USCIS-related questions:
USCIS Contact Center
1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)
Internet: uscis.gov