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U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE — BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS

Intercountry Adoption

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Country Information

Eswatini (Swaziland)

Eswatini
Kingdom of Eswatini
Exercise increased caution in Eswatini due to crime and civil unrest.

Reissued after periodic review without changes.

Exercise increased caution in Eswatini due to crime and civil unrest.

Country Summary: Crime is common in Eswatini and sporadic armed robberies and carjackings do occur. Local police may lack the resources to deal effectively with criminal incidents.

Demonstrations and protests occur sporadically in Eswatini. U.S. citizens are reminded to avoid all gatherings, even peaceful ones, as they could turn violent with little or no warning. 

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

If you decide to travel to Eswatini:

  • Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
  • Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
  • Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
  • Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
  • Review the Country Security Report for Eswatini.
  • Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
  • Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
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Hague Convention Participation

Hague Adoption Convention Country?
Yes
Are Intercountry Adoptions between this country and the United States possible?
Intercountry adoptions from Eswatini to the United States are not currently possible. However, intercountry adoptions to Eswatini from the United States may be possible.

Hague Convention Information

Intercountry adoptions from Eswatini to the United States are not currently possible. However, intercountry adoptions to Eswatini from the United States may be possible.

Please see our section on Adoptions from the United States for more information on the process for adopting a child from the United States. We urge prospective adoptive parents residing abroad who are considering adoption of a child from the United States to consult with the Eswatini Central Authority for its determination as to whether it considers your adoption to be subject to the Convention.

Eswatini is a party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (“Convention”).  Intercountry adoption processing in Convention countries must be done in accordance with the Convention, the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (“IAA”), the IAA’s implementing regulations, and all applicable legislation and regulations of Eswatini. Although the Convention entered into force for Eswatini on July 1, 2013, the Government of Eswatini announced in June 2013 that it planned to continue the existing suspension on all new intercountry adoptions while it focused on taking the steps necessary to implement fully the Convention. The Government of Eswatini has not informed the U.S. Embassy in Mbabane of an expected end date to the suspension.

The Department of State cautions adoption service providers and prospective adoptive parents that intercountry adoptions to the United States from Eswatini will not resume until Eswatini lifts its suspension and the Department of State determines that intercountry adoptions from Eswatini comply with the Convention. Adoption service providers should not advertise adoption programs in Eswatini until the Department of State notifies them that the Government of Eswatini has lifted its temporary suspension of intercountry adoptions and that its procedures meet the requirements of the Convention.

The Department of State will provide updated information on Adoption.state.gov as it becomes available. 

Warning:  Do not attempt to adopt or to obtain custody of a child in Eswatini before USCIS has provisionally approved your Form I-800 petition AND a U.S. consular officer issues the “Article 5/17 Letter” for your adoption case.

Contact Information

ESWATINI’S ADOPTION AUTHORITY:
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
Department of Social Welfare
Gwamile Street, Mbabane
Tel: (268) 2404-2723/4
Fax:  (268) 2404-3770
Internet: gov.sz

Embassy of Eswatini in the United States
Address: 1712 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20009
Tel(202) 234-5002
Email:  embassy@swaziland-usa.com
Internet: https://www.gov.sz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=453&Itemid=270

U.S. Embassy in Mbabane, Eswatini
Physical Address: Corner of MR103 and Cultural Centre Drive, Ezulwini, Eswatini
Mail:  P.O. Box D202, The Gables H105, Eswatini
Tel:  (268) 2417-9000
Fax:  (268) 2416-3344
Email:  consularmbabane@state.gov 
Internet:  sz.usembassy.gov

Office of Children’s Issues
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
SA-17
Washington, DC 20520
Tel:  1-888-407-4747
E-mail:  Adoption@state.gov
Internet:  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
1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)
Internet:  uscis.gov

Last Updated: February 21, 2019

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Mbabane
Corner of MR103 and Cultural Centre
Drive PO Box D202
The Gables H106, Eswatini
Telephone
+(268) 2417-9000
Emergency
+(268) 2417-9000
Fax
+(268) 2416-3344

Eswatini Map