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

Intercountry Adoption

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Country Information

Italy

Italy
Italian Republic
Exercise increased caution due to terrorism.

Reissued after periodic review with minor edits.

Exercise increased caution due to terrorism.

Country Summary: Terrorist attacks are possible in Italy. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning.  They may target tourist spots, transport hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of religious importance, parks, major sporting and cultural events, schools, airports, and other public areas.

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

If you decide to travel to Italy:

  • Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
  • Follow the instructions of local authorities.
  • Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
  • 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 X/Twitter.
  • Review the Country Security Report for Italy.
  • Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
  • Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
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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 to the United States from Italy and from the United States to Italy are possible. However, adoptions from Italy by foreign nationals are rare.

Hague Convention Information

Italy 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 Italy.

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 in Italy who are considering adoption of a child from the United States to consult with Italy’s Central Authority, Commissione per le Adozioni Internazionali (CAI) for its determination as to whether it considers your adoption to be subject to the Convention.

While adoption is legally possible, children from Italy are not generally placed for intercountry adoption.  Only 1 child from Italy has received a U.S. immigrant visa based on an intercountry adoption in the past five fiscal years.  The information provided is intended primarily to assist in extremely rare adoption cases from Italy, including adoptions of children from Italy by relatives in the United States, as well as adoptions from third countries by U.S. citizens living in Italy.

Prospective adoptive parents who are stationed overseas on U.S. military orders, posted overseas on U.S. government orders, or are private citizens living abroad are cautioned that the Convention may apply to an adoption completed in the United States, in the host country, and/or involving a child from a third country.  We also strongly encourage such prospective adoptive parents to consult with the Central Authority of the country where they are physically residing, and/or where the child is residing, to determine whether the Convention applies to a proposed adoption.

Below is the limited adoption information the Department has obtained from the adoption authority of Italy.  U.S. citizens interested in adopting children from Italy should contact the Central Authority of Italy to inquire about applicable laws and procedures.  U.S. citizen prospective adoptive parents living in Italy who would like to adopt a child from the United States or from a third country should also contact Italy’s Central Authority.  See contact information below.

Please visit the Department of State’s country page for more information on traveling to Italy and the U.S. Embassy in Rome’s website for information on consular services.

The consular officer will send a letter (referred to as an “Article 5/17 Letter”) to Italy’s Central Authority in any intercountry adoption involving U.S. citizen adoptive parents and a child from Italy if all Convention requirements are met and the child appears eligible to immigrate to the United States.  This letter will inform the Italy’s Central Authority that the parents are suitable and eligible to adopt, that the child appears eligible to enter and reside permanently in the United States, and that the U.S. Central Authority agrees that the adoption may proceed.

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

Remember:  The consular officer will make a final decision about a child’s eligibility for an immigrant visa later in the adoption process.

Contact Information

Italy’s Adoption Authority:
Commissione per le Adozioni Internazionali (CAI)
(Commission for Intercountry Adoption)
Via di Villa Ruffo 6
00196 ROMA
Tel:   +39 06 6779 2060; +39 06 6779 2182
Fax:  +39 (06) 67792165 / 2166 / 2167
Email:   cai.segreteriatecnica@governo.it; Commissioneadozioni.internazionali@governo.it 
Internet: http://www.commissioneadozioni.it/

Note: City Juvenile Courts oversee the handling of adoption cases. For a complete listing of these courts, prospective adoptive parents should visit the following website: http://www.commissioneadozioni.it/gli-attori-istituzionali/i-tribunali-per-i-minorenni/

U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy
Via Vittorio Veneto 121 - 00187 ROMA
Tel: (switchboard): (+39) 06.46741
Fax: (+39) 06.4674.2244
Email: uscitizensrome@state.gov
Internet: https://it.usembassy.gov/

U.S. Consulate General Naples 
Piazza della Repubblica - 80122 NAPOLI
Tel: (switchboard): (+39) 081.583.8111
Internet: https://it.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/naples/

The United States also has Consulates General in:  Florence and Milan 

Embassy of Italy
Address: 3000 Whitehaven Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202) 612-4400
Fax: (202) 518-2151
Internet: https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/ambasciata_washington/it

Italy also has consulates in:  Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco

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
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
1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833
Internet:  uscis.gov

 

Last Updated: February 8, 2024

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Rome
Via Vittorio Veneto, 121
00187 Rome, Italy
Telephone
+(39) 06-4674-1
Emergency
+(39) 06-4674-1
Fax
+(39) 06-4674-2244

Italy Map