June 2013

June 11, 2013. U.S. Consulate Move in Guangzhou Affects China Adoption Processing. The U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou is moving to a different part of the city during July. The Consulate is suspending all activity around July 15 and plans to resume adoption-related visa services on July 24. The move will affect adoption-processing beginning on July 5. Prospective adoptive parents should consult both the U.S. Consulate Guangzhou website as well as this notice from the Department of State.

June 6, 2013. Guatemala Update. The Department of State has provided the following information on in-process Guatemalan adoption cases. As of June 4, 2013, there are 94 cases on the Universal List. Of these, 21 are pending conclusion under the CNA Acuerdo Process and 11 are pending conclusion under the Notarial Process. 56 are pending investigation by PGN or resolution of other special issues. There are a total of 15 cases that were completed and children brought to the United States. All these cases were begun prior to December 31, 2007.

June 5, 2013. Department of State and Council of Accreditation Will Host Important ASP Accreditation Call Thursday, June 6. The Department of State will host a conference call on how non-Hague accreditation entities can become accredited to perform adoption services for Hague and non-Hague international adoption tomorrow. As of July 14, 2014 any agencies or person providing adoption services under the Orphan Process stream will be required to be accredited. This conference call will explain the process of accreditation. Department of State and COA representatives will participate. For call-in information please click here.

June 4, 2013. Ethiopia Sets Pre-Adoption Processing Requirements. Beginning on September 1, 2013, U.S. potential adoptive parents who wish to adopt from Ethiopia will be required to submit their cases to the U.S. government for Pre-Adoption Immigration Review (PAIR) before submitting their cases to the Ethiopian government. The PAIR process "allows USCIS to assess the child's likely eligibility for U.S. immigration benefits and make a preliminary determination before Ethiopian courts finalize the adoption decree." After September 1, any adoption dossier submitted to the Ethiopian Federal First Instance Court must include a PAIR letter. Full information on the PAIR process and requirements for Ethiopian adoption can be found by clicking here.