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Travel.State.Gov > Intercountry Adoption > Country Information > Belarus Intercountry Adoption Information

Intercountry Adoption

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Travel.State.Gov > Intercountry Adoption > Country Information > Belarus Intercountry Adoption Information

Belarus

Belarus
Republic of Belarus

National Interest Exceptions for Adoption Visas

Effective January 21, 2026, the Department of State paused visa issuances to immigrant visa applicants who are nationals of 75 countries. President Trump has made clear that immigrants must be financially self-sufficient and not be a financial burden to Americans.  The Department of State is undergoing a full review of all policies, regulations, and guidance to ensure that immigrants from these high-risk countries do not utilize welfare in the United States or become a public charge. 

As noted in our Adoption Notice on National Interest Exceptions for Adoption Visas, in countries where the issuance of immigrant visas is currently limited, children being adopted by Americans can qualify for an exception under the National Interest Exception. 

These American families should continue the normal adoption process. They should submit visa applications and attend consular interviews. They do not need to take other additional steps to be considered for a case-by-case exception under the National Interest Exception. 

Hague Convention Participation

Hague Adoption Convention Country?
Yes
Are Intercountry Adoptions between this country and the United States possible?
Intercountry adoptions are not currently possible between Belarus and the United States.
ALL / ALL /

Hague Convention Information

Belarusian children are not being placed with U.S. prospective adoptive families at this time. However, U.S. citizen prospective adoptive parents living in Belarus may be eligible to adopt a child from the United States or from a third country.

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 Belarus Central Authority, the Belarusian National Adoption Center within the Ministry of Education, for its determination as to whether it considers your adoption to be subject to the Convention.

Belarus 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 Belarus.

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

Warning: Do not attempt to adopt a child from a Hague Convention country 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.

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

Adoption Authority of Belarus
Ministry of Education, Belarusian National Adoption Center
National Adoption Center
Platonova Str. 22, 11 th Floor,
Minsk, BELARUS
Tel: 375 – 17-232-6701, 375-17 284 71 51 or 375-17 331 06 17,
Fax: 375 – 17-231-0617,
Email: child@edu.by

U.S. Embassy in Minsk, Belarus
Address: 46 Starovilenskaya St.
Minsk, Belarus 220002
Tel: 375 – 17- 2101283
Fax: 375—17-2177160
Email:  ConsularMinsk@state.gov
Internet: https://by.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:  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: May 22, 2025

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Minsk
46 Starovilenskaya St.
Minsk 220002, Belarus
Telephone
+(375) (17) 210-1283
Emergency
+(375) (29) 676-0134
Fax
+(375) (17) 334-7853
Email
consularminsk@state.gov
Website
https://by.usembassy.gov/embassy/minsk/

Belarus Map

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Adoption Statistics

Adoptions from Belarus to U.S. by Year:
SEE ALL STATISTICS
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