Adoption in Zambia

The children at Kazembe Orphanage are not up for adoption for a variety of reasons. Some of them have parents who, while not able to care for them, are alive and well. We also want to raise children who are going to give back to their own community. For this reason we  consider our program to be one of fostering. 


However, we do believe that God has a family for everyone. If you feel that you are called to adopt from Zambia, the following information should be able to help you. 


The following information has been compiled from U.S embassy sites and the Zambian Social Welfare Department. I hope it is helpful to you. 

Updated 2015: This information may not be completely accurate since some recent changes in U.S adoption law went into effect last year. I will work on updating this page soon.


Each year, several Americans adopt a child or children in Zambia. Americans considering adopting a Zambian child must comply with both Zambian adoption regulations and U.S. immigration law. The Embassy is here to help point you in the right direction and provide you with the relevant information sheet. Some adoption reminders and resources are below.
Adoptions and U.S. Immigration Law—There are three possible petition options to adopt a child under U.S. immigration law:

I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition. This is filed only in the United States as advance processing before identifying a child. After finalizing the adoption, an I-600 petition backed by an approved I-600A may be filed at post.


 I-600, Petition to Classify an Orphan as an Immediate Relative. This petition is used if a child has already been identified. It may be filed either at USCIS offices in the United States or at Consulate General Johannesburg via U.S. Embassy Lusaka.


 I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. This petition may be filed at U.S. Embassy Lusaka by resident Americans after a child has been in their legal and physical custody for two years.

Remember that you must be able to prove that your child meets the definition of orphan under U.S. immigration law before the petition can be approved.
In most cases, your child will qualify for automatic U.S. citizenship after being lawfully admitted to the United States. 


Zambian Adoption Regulations— Prospective adoptive parents are urged to comply fully with Zambian adoption regulation. Informal identification of a child outside of established procedures can result in disrupted adoption and inability of your child to immigrate to the United States. 

You can find detailed information on Zambian adoption procedures here: http://adoption.state.gov/country/zambia.html.

Note:
Those who want to adopt outside the family need to Foster a Child for a period of 3 months before they can be considered to adopt.

Adoption Procedure for Non-Zambians

a)    Fill in application forms (available from Zambian Missions abroad)
or apply to:

The Commissioner for Juvenile Welfare
Department of Social Welfare
Ministry of Community Development and Social Services
P.O Box 31958
Lusaka
Zambia
b)   Attach copies of Home Study Report by Approved Social Worker in country of Residence.
c)    Attach Police Clearance from country of residence
d)   Attach Bank statements to prove that applicant is not receiving social services or support from government.
e)    Include Certified copy of passport
f)     Include Medical Report from country of residence
g)    Attach Copy of recommendation from employer (if in employment) or from member of the public in good standing (with no criminal record) who has known the applicant for not less than five (5) years.
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