On September 3, 2020, the Fijian Parliament passed the Adoption Act of 2020, which provides a legal framework in Fiji to implement the Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Convention). The Convention entered into force for Fiji on August 1, 2012, however the Department determined it was unable to process intercountry adoptions from Fiji as the country did not yet have implementing legislation authorizing the designated Central Authority to carry out its responsibilities under the Convention. As a result, consular officers have not been able to issue Hague Adoption Certificates or Custody Certificates, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) could not approve Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative, for a child from Fiji. See the notice explaining this, here. The Department will review the new legislation to determine if Hague Certificates may be approved on a case-by-case basis under U.S. law.

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