The following is a guideline for U.S. citizens who are interested in adopting a child in Sudan and applying for an immigrant visa for the child to come to the United States. This process involves complex foreign and U.S. legal requirements. U.S. consular officers give each petition careful consideration on a case-by-case basis to ensure that the legal requirements of both countries have been met, for the protection of the prospective adoptive parent(s), the biological parents(s) and the child. Interested U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to contact U.S. consular officials in Sudan before formalizing an adoption agreement to ensure that appropriate procedures have been followed which will make it possible for the Embassy to issue a U.S. immigrant visa for the child.
The government office responsible for adoptions in Sudan is the Social Services Supervisor of the Governate for the Province where the adopted child resides. There is no central, national authority.
Adoption in Sudan is governed by the Child Care Act of 1971. Adoption is not allowed for Moslem children, but may be allowed for non-Moslem children, in so as far as the religious laws of the child's denomination allow. Please note that a child whose religion is unknown is automatically considered to be Moslem.
Sudanese law also allows for a court appointed "Caretaker" (similar to a Legal Guardian in the United States) to oversee the welfare and upbringing of a child until he or she reaches their legal majority (21 years of age). Caretakers may be assigned for both Moslem and non-Moslem children, but they must be of the same religion as the child.
Applications for "Caretaker" or adoptive parent status must be initiated with the Social Services Supervisor of the Governate for the Province where the child lives. If it decides to support the application, the Governate will then refer the application to Civil Court.
Once custody is granted, there is a probationary period of one year wherein the Social Services Supervisor must conduct regular visits. After the year is over, the caretaker or adoptive parent may return to the court to request permanent custody of the child until he/she reaches the age of majority. In certain exceptional circumstances, it is possible to reduce the probationary period with the approval of the Governor of the Province where the child resides.
The caretaker or adoptive parent must request the approval of the social worker in cases where there is a change of residence within the Sudan. They must also secure the approval of the Governor for the Province where the child resides if they wish to take the child out of the country.
To qualify as a caretaker or adoptive parent, the applicant must be between 30 and 50 years of age, with a good reputation and behavior. Unmarried men are not eligible, while children over 14 years of age may not be placed in the custody of a caretaker or adoptive parent.
Specific documentary requirements vary from Governate to Governate. Prospective caretaker or adoptive parents should contact the local Social Services Supervisor directly.
The U.S. Embassy maintains current lists of doctors and sources for medicines, should either you or your child experience health problems while in Sudan.
Embassy of the Republic of Sudan
2210 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008;
telephone: (202) 338-8565 to 8570.
The United States has no permanent diplomatic presence in Sudan. However, a consular officer based in Cairo, Egypt makes periodic visits to the Sudan. The officer can be contacted via the Consular Section in Khartoum or directly at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo
U.S. Embassy Khartoum
Consular Section
Sharia Ali Abdul Latif
Khartoum, Sudan
Telephone: (249)(11) 774-700
Fax 774-137.
Sudan Affairs
Consular Section
8, Kamal el-Din Salah Street
Garden City
Cairo, Egypt
TEL: (20)(2) 797-2770
FAX: (20)(2) 797-2472
e-mail: consularcairo@state.gov.
Additional information on consular services available in Sudan may be found on the U.S. Embassy Cairo web site: http://usembassy.egnet.net/sudan.htm.
Prospective adoptive parents are strongly encouraged to consult INS publication M-249, The Immigration of Adopted and Prospective Adoptive Children, as well as the Department of State publication, International Adoptions.
Specific questions regarding adoption in Sudan may be addressed to the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Sudan. You may also contact the Office of Children's Issues, U.S. Department of State, Room 4800 N.S., 2201 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20520-4818, telephone (202) 736-7000 with specific questions.
Information is also available 24 hours a day from several sources:
State Department Visa Office - Recorded information concerning immigrant visas for adoptive children, (202) 663-1225.
Immigration and Naturalization Service - Recorded information for requesting immigrant visa application forms, 1-800-870-FORM (3676).
February, 2001
The
information in this circular relating to the legal requirements of
specific foreign countries is provided for general information only.
Questions involving interpretation of specific foreign laws should be
addressed to foreign legal counsel.
