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U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE — BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS
Travel.State.Gov > Intercountry Adoption > Country Information > Cuba Intercountry Adoption Information

Intercountry Adoption

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Country Information

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

Cuba

Cuba
Republic of Cuba
Exercise increased caution in Cuba due to crime.

Exercise increased caution in Cuba due to crime.

Country Summary: Petty crime is a threat for tourists in Cuba. Also, violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide, and sexual assault, sometimes occurs in Cuba.

The U.S. Embassy in Havana is operating with reduced staffing, and U.S. government travel outside of the Havana area requires a special permit process which may affect the Embassy’s ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Cuba.

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

If you decide to travel to Cuba:

  • Be aware of your surroundings.
  • Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
  • Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • U.S. citizens should always exercise caution when traveling abroad.
  • Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
  • Review the Country Security Report for Cuba.
  • Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

Last Update: Reissued with updates to health and crime information.

... [READ MORE]

Hague Convention Participation

Hague Adoption Convention Country?
Yes
Are Intercountry Adoptions between this country and the United States possible?
No
ALL / ALL /

Hague Convention Information

  • Cuba is a party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention or Convention).  Intercountry adoption processing in Convention countries must be done in accordance with the requirements of the Hague Adoption Convention; the U.S. implementing legislation, the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (IAA); and the IAA’s implementing regulations; as well as the implementing legislation and regulations of Cuba. However, Cuba is not currently processing intercountry adoptions to any country. The Department of State is seeking further information regarding the Cuban adoption process, and will provide updated information as it becomes available. 
  • Domestic adoptions: In general, the Department of State is not aware of any U.S. citizens who have successfully completed domestic adoptions or legal guardianship in Cuba of Cuban children. We understand that some foreign nationals who are residing in Cuba with permanent status and are married to a Cuban national have successfully adopted children in Cuba. 
  • Additionally, the Department of State and USCIS caution that, under U.S. law and regulations, any Cuban children adopted by U.S. citizens under the Cuban domestic adoption process will generally not be eligible to immigrate to the United States as adopted children until they meet the criteria in section 101(b)(1)(E) of the Immigration and Nationality Act and have an approved  Form I-130 petition as an immediate relative. More specifically, children adopted by U.S. citizens through the Cuban domestic adoption process, including children adopted by their U.S. citizen biological family members (e.g., aunt, uncle, cousin, grandparent, etc.), may not be eligible for U.S. immigrant visas on the basis of the adoption until the U.S. citizen adoptive parents accrue two years of legal custody and joint residence with the child outside the United States, among other requirements. Please see the USCIS website for additional information on this process.

U.S. Immigration Requirements

To bring an adopted child to the United States from Cuba, you must meet certain suitability and eligibility requirements. USCIS determines who is suitable and eligible to adopt a child from another country and bring that child to live in the United States under U.S. immigration law.

Additionally, a child must meet the definition of a Convention adoptee under U.S. immigration law in order to be eligible to immigrate to the United States with an IH-3 or IH-4 immigrant visa.

Contact Information

U.S. Embassy in Cuba
Calzada between L & M Streets
Vedado, Havana
Tel:  (53)(7) 839-4100
Email: havanaconsularinfo@state.gov
Internet: cu.usembassy.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

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

United States Embassy
Calzada between L and M Streets,
Vedado,
Havana, Cuba
Telephone
+(53) (7) 839-4100
Emergency
+(53) (7) 839-4100 and dial 1 to speak with the emergency operator
Fax
+(53) 7839-4247
Email
acshavana@state.gov
Website
United States Embassy

Cuba Map

View Larger Map

Adoption Statistics

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