U.S. Department of State Seal
U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE — BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS

Intercountry Adoption

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Country Information

Cambodia

Cambodia
Kingdom of Cambodia
Exercise normal precautions in Cambodia. Some areas have increased risks. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise normal precautions in Cambodia. Some areas have increased risks. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Exercise increased precautions in:

  • Phnom Penh due to crime.
  • Very remote areas of Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pursat, Siem Reap, Pailin, and Kampong Thom provinces due to land mines.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Cambodia.

If you decide to travel to Cambodia:

·        Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

Phnom Penh – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Street crime, particularly phone and bag snatchings, occurs frequently in areas where foreigners gather; resistance can result in injury. Be aware of your surroundings at all times and to be extra vigilant when displaying items like jewelry, bags and cell phones in public. Violent crime, such as sexual assault and homicide, is common, sometimes against foreigners.

Do not physically resist any robbery attempt. Use caution when walking or driving at night.

Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pursat, Siem Reap, Pailin, and Kampong Thom provinces – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Land mines and unexploded ordnance are found in very remote areas throughout Cambodia, and especially in Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pursat, Siem Reap, Pailin, and Kampong Thom provinces.

Do not touch unknown metal objects; instead notify the Cambodia Mine Action Center at 012-800-473/023-995-437. Use a local guide when walking in forested areas or dry rice paddies in these areas.

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Hague Convention Participation

Hague Adoption Convention Country?
Yes
Are Intercountry Adoptions between this country and the United States possible?
No

Hague Convention Information

Cambodia is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Therefore all adoptions between Cambodia and the United States must meet the requirements of the Convention and U.S. law implementing the Convention.

Intercountry adoption is not possible from Cambodia at this time. 

On December 21, 2001 the processing of adoption petitions for Cambodia was suspended. This decision was based on numerous concerns related to fraud in Cambodia, as well as the lack of sufficient local legal frameworks and other safeguards to protect the children's best interests. Due to continued concerns, U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) remains unable to approve any form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative, filed on behalf of a child to be adopted from Cambodia. The USCIS suspension remains in effect for all I-600 forms that have been filed. 

Based on the existing issues of fraud and irregularity in Cambodia, the Department of State (DOS) has reconfirmed the suspension of adoptions under the Hague process in Cambodia. It has been determined that at this time Cambodia is not meeting its obligations under The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. For these reasons the DOS remains unable to issue the required Hague Certificate or Hague Custody Declaration for any form I-800, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention country. The Department of State will continue to monitor the situation in Cambodia and will provide updates as soon as they are available.

How to Adopt

Child Citizenship Act

For adoptions finalized abroad prior to the child’s admission into the United States:  An adopted child residing in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent pursuant to a lawful admission for permanent residence generally will acquire U.S. citizenship automatically if the child otherwise meets the requirements of the Child Citizenship Act of 2000, including that the child is under the age of eighteen.

Contact Information

The Embassy of the United States of America, Phnom Penh 
Consular Section
#1, Street 96
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tel: (855-23) 728-000
Fax: (855-23) 728-600
Email: IVPhnomPenh@state.gov
Internet: https://kh.usembassy.gov/

Cambodia's Adoption Authority
No. 788, Preah Monivong Blvd.,
Sangkat Boeung Trabek,
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tel: (+855)-23-211-848 

Embassy of Cambodia 
The Royal Embassy of Cambodia
4530 16th Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C., 20011,
Tel. 202-726-7742

Office of Children's issues
U.S. Department of State  
CA/OCS/CI  
SA-17, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Tel: 1-888-407-4747
E-mail: AskCI@state.gov
http://adoption.state.gov

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
For questions about filing a Form I-800A application or a Form I-800 petition:
USCIS National Benefits Center (NBC):
Tel: 1-877-424-8374 (toll free); 1-913-275-5480 (local); Fax: 1- 913-214-5808
Email: NBC.Adoptions@uscis.dhs.gov

For general questions about immigration procedures:
USCIS Contact Center
Tel: 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)
Internet: uscis.gov

Last Updated: March 14, 2018

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh
#1, St. 96 (entrance on St. 51 between
St. 96 and 102), Phnom Penh
Telephone
855-23-728-402
Emergency
855-23-728-000
Fax
855-23-728-700

Cambodia Map