The United States has determined that it will be able to process intercountry adoptions from Rwanda consistent with the Convention, allowing consular officers to verify on a case-by-case basis that an intercountry adoption can proceed in accordance with U.S. laws and U.S. obligations under the Convention.

Please note that all intercountry adoptions between Rwanda and the United States must meet the requirements of the Convention and U.S. laws. Do not finalize an adoption or obtain legal custody of a child in Rwanda in a case before a U.S. consular officer issues an “Article 5/17 Letter.” See the “Hague Adoption Process” section for more information.

The Department of State cautions U.S. prospective adoptive parents that there may be delays in the adoption process while Rwanda works to implement its new adoption laws, regulations, and procedures. Prospective adoptive parents initiating an intercountry adoption should work closely with their U.S.-accredited adoption service provider to ensure they complete all necessary steps under Rwanda’s intercountry adoption process in accordance with Rwandan and U.S. laws.  

If you started the intercountry adoption process before July 1, 2012, the date when the Convention entered into force in Rwanda, by filing a Form I-600A or a Form I-600, or obtaining a final adoption for a child in Rwanda, please contact adoption@state.gov with the details of the case. Questions about the transition process, Form I-600A, Form I-600, and/or Form I-800A filings will be directed to USCIS.

We are updating our Country Information Sheet for Rwanda. Please monitor http://adoptions.state.gov for current information or subscribe to our listserv to receive updates by email. For questions about this notice, please contact the Office of Children’s Issues at adoption@state.gov.