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

Intercountry Adoption

English

Country Information

Switzerland

Switzerland
Swiss Confederation

Hague Convention Participation

Hague Adoption Convention Country?
Yes
Are Intercountry Adoptions between this country and the United States possible?
Intercountry adoptions from the United States to Switzerland may be possible.

Hague Convention Information

Switzerland 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 Switzerland.

While adoption is legally possible, children from Switzerland are not generally placed for intercountry adoption because Switzerland is not considered a country of origin for intercountry adoption at this time. 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. See contact information below.

Warning: Do not attempt to adopt or obtain custody of a child in Switzerland 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.

Please visit the Department of State’s Country Specific Information for more information on traveling to Switzerland and the U.S. Embassy in Bern website for information on consular services.

Contact Information


Switzerland's Adoption Authority 
Federal Office of Justice (FOJ)
Private International Law
Bundesrain 20
CH-3003 BERNE
Tel: +41 (58) 463 88 64
Fax:+41 (58) 462 78 64
Email: adoption@bj.admin.ch
Internet: Page d'accueil (admin.ch) (for intercountry adoption, click here); https://www.bj.admin.ch/dam/bj/en/data/gesellschaft/adoption/bro-adoption-e.pdf.download.pdf/bro-adoption-e.pdf

U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland
Sulgeneckstrasse 19
CH-3007 Bern, Switzerland
Tel: 031 357 70 11
Fax: 031 357 73 20
Internet: https://ch.usembassy.gov/embassy/bern/

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

Last Updated: August 1, 2023

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Bern
Sulgeneckstrasse 19
3007 Bern, Switzerland
Telephone
No phone
Emergency
+(41) (31) 357-7011
Fax
+(41) (31) 357-7280
Email
No email

Switzerland Map