The Department of State maintains detailed information about Adoption Statistics regarding incoming intercountry adoptions to the United States based on the numbers of adoption-based visas (categories IH-3, IH-4, IR-3, and IR-4) issued during each calendar year (January 1 – December 31).  This resource identifies data by year, country of origin, adoptive parents’ state of residence, and visa type, and also provide information about the country of origin’s Hague Adoption Convention status and the children’s gender and age at the time of adoption.

The Department of State’s Annual Adoption Reports to Congress also provides data regarding both incoming and outgoing adoptions during each fiscal year (October 1 – September 30). Section 104 of the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (IAA) outlines the parameters and criteria for the report, which presents information in both narrative and chart formats.  

The Department of State’s Annual Report of the Visa Office also includes information about visa categories, including adoption-based, issued at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. 

The Hague Conference on Private International Law maintains global intercountry adoption statistics, including detailed country-specific data reported by each Convention country, on its website in the Adoption Section.

Adoption Tracking Service and the AE Portal

The Adoptions Tracking Service (ATS) is an Internet-based system that facilitates the Department of State’s ability to collect data about intercountry adoption, as required by the IAA.

Functions

The Department uses ATS data to fulfill four primary functions:

1. Track all incoming and outgoing adoption cases involving the United States;
2. Manage and track the accreditation/approval status of adoption service providers (ASP);
3. Manage ASP and accrediting entity (AE) contact information; and,
4. Produce Congressional and management reports and correspondence for the Department of State.

ASP Access to ATS

Previously, both ASPs and AEs provided information on intercountry adoption cases to the Department by entering data directly into ATS. To address ASP concerns about the time and cost of supplying information both to ATS and to the AE’s data collection portal, on October 26, 2020, the Department modified the requirements pertaining to ASP data entry into ATS. For all cases registered in the AE portal on or after February 15, 2018, ASPs now enter data only into the AE’s portal, and the Department transfers relevant information into ATS. As a result of this change, ASPs no longer have or need access to ATS.

To update, correct, or verify historical ATS records for cases registered before February 15, 2018, ASPs may request assistance by email to the Adoption Oversight Division, Office of Children’s Issues, ASPadoption@state.gov. Requests should include ‘ATS INQUIRY’ or ‘ATS UPDATE’ in the subject line and the agency’s name and information regarding the case in the body of the email.

Questions about the AE portal should be submitted to IAAME or CEAS.