Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

Intercountry Adoption

English

Country Information

Republic of the Congo

Republic of the Congo
Republic of the Congo
Exercise increased caution in the Republic of the Congo due to crime.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution in the Republic of the Congo due to crime.

Country Summary: While not common, violent crime, such as armed robbery and assault, remains a concern throughout the Republic of the Congo.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside Brazzaville.  U.S. government employees must use two vehicles to travel to the Pool region. They are also restricted to beaches adjacent to their hotels in Pointe Noire due to crime.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to the Republic of Congo.

If you decide to travel to the Republic of the Congo:

  • Avoid demonstrations.
  • Use caution when walking or driving at night. Always carry a copy of your U.S. passport and visa (if applicable). Keep original documents in a secure location.
  • Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
  • 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 the Republic of the Congo.
  • Have 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.
... [READ MORE]

Hague Convention Participation

Hague Adoption Convention Country?
Yes
Are Intercountry Adoptions between this country and the United States possible?
Intercountry adoption is not currently possible from the Republic of the Congo to the United States, except for transition cases, as discussed below. 
Is this country a U.S. Hague Partner?
The Republic of the Congo Transition Cases: The Republic of the Congo has not yet confirmed that it will continue to process certain adoption cases under the non-Convention process in effect prior to April 1, 2020.

Hague Convention Information

The Republic of the Congo does not yet have implementing legislation giving authority to the designated Central Authority to carry out its responsibilities under the Hague Adoption Convention.  As a result, consular officers will not be able to issue Hague Adoption Certificates or Custody Certificates, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) cannot approve Form I-800, Petitions to Classify convention Adoptees as Immediate Relative, for a child from the Republic of the Congo. 

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 the Republic of the Congo who are considering adoption of a child from the United States to consult with the appropriate Congolese authority and whether it considers your adoption to be subject to the Convention.

The Republic of the Congo Transition Cases

The Republic of the Congo has not yet confirmed that it will continue to process certain adoption cases under the non-Convention process in effect prior to April 1, 2020.  These would be cases in which a U.S. citizen filed a Form I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition, or a Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative, prior to April 1, 2020, or in which a final adoption was completed prior to April 1, 2020. The Office of Children’s Issues will continue to coordinate with Congolese authorities on issues related to “transition cases” and the Republic of the Congo’s accession to the Hague Adoption Convention. 

Please monitor adoption.state.gov for updated information as it becomes available. If you have any questions about this notice, please contact the Office of Children’s Issues at adoption@state.gov. 

Contact Information

Contact Information

U.S. Embassy in Republic of the Congo 
Blvd Denis Sassou N’Guesso
Brazzaville
République du Congo
Tel: (242) 06 612-2050
Email: BrazzavilleIV@state.gov 
Internet: cg.usembassy.gov

Republic of the Congo’s Adoption Authority 
Ministry of Justice 
Mr. Bitseke Landry, 
Directeur de la protection légale de l’enfant 
Tel: 00242 06 494 33 73, 00242 06 879 19 59

Ministry of Social Affairs 
Christian Rock Mabiala 
Direction générale des affaires sociales 
Tel: 242 06 975 84 98, 242 05 558 89 93
Mabialachristian2016@gmail.com

Embassy of Republic of the Congo 
1720 16th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
Tel: (202) 726-5500
Email: consulate@ambacongo-us.org 
Internet: ambacongo-us.org/

Office of Children’s Issues 
U.S. Department of State 
CA/OCS/CI 
SA-17, 9th Floor 
Washington, D.C. 20522-1709 
Email: 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 
Tel: 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833) 
Internet: uscis.gov

Last Updated: September 28, 2022

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Brazzaville
70-83 Section D
Maya Maya Boulevard
Brazzaville
Republic of the Congo
Telephone
+242 06 612 2000
Emergency
+242 06 612 2010
Fax
No Fax

Republic of the Congo Map