To support the viability of intercountry adoption as an option for permanency for children in Azerbaijan, the Office of Children’s Issues and the U.S. Embassy in Baku sought information from the Azerbaijani Central Authority regarding its legal requirements for the authorization of adoption service providers (ASP), pursuant to Article 12 of the Hague Adoption Convention.

Azerbaijan ratified the Convention on June 22, 2004 and it entered into force on October 1, 2004.

Azerbaijani law required U.S. ASPs to obtain authorization by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population (MLSPP), which is Azerbaijan’s Central Authority.

ASPs with questions about the information below or about pursuing authorization in Azerbaijan should contact the Azerbaijani Central Authority, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 85 Salatin Asgarova Street, Baku, Azerbaijan AZ1009.

Phone:  +994 (12) 596 5034

Website: https://www.sosial.gov.az/en/

Contact Information: https://www.sosial.gov.az/en/contacts,.

The MLSPP generally authorizes foreign ASPs for a period of 3 years if they provide the following information:

1. Documentation of the ASP’s legal status and registration,
2. Information on property, employees, staff, and structure of the organization,
3. Documentation certifying accreditation,
4. A recommendation by the central authority of accreditation country,
5. Detailed information on work experience (if applicable),
6. Information on activities of the ASP in other countries (if applicable),
7. Information on staff salaries,
8. Information on the types of services the ASP would like to perform in Azerbaijan,
9. Information on the cost of services provided by the applicant agency,
10. Other information the central authority deems necessary.

The Adoption Oversight Division in the Office of Children’s Issues can provide an accreditation verification letter to satisfy part 3 of the Azerbaijani requirements and the ASP can request a certificate of accreditation from their AE to satisfy part 4. ASPs may email ASPadoption@state.gov to request this official communication.

For additional information, ASPs may wish to review the Azerbaijan  country-information page.