Travel.State.Gov >
Intercountry Adoption > Country Information > Ireland Intercountry Adoption Information
Last Update: Reissued with updates to health information.
Exercise normal precautions in Ireland.
Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Ireland.
If you decide to travel to Ireland:
Adoption Notice
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children's Issues
November 1, 2010
Ireland Ratifies the Hague Adoption Convention
Ireland ratified the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention) and established the new Adoption Authority of Ireland with the enactment of the Adoption Act 2010. The Hague Adoption Convention entered into force for Ireland on November 1, 2010.
Prospective adoptive parents residing in Ireland who wish to adopt from another Hague Convention country, including the United States, after November 1, 2010 should contact the Adoption Authority of Ireland to learn about the Hague Convention requirements.
Adoption Authority of Ireland
Telephone from Ireland: 01-2309300
Telephone from U.S.: 011-353-1-2309300
Email: info@aai.gov.ie
Website: www.aai.gov.ie
Ireland is considered to be a receiving country, rather than a country of origin of children adopted through intercountry adoption. Only one Irish orphan has been adopted by a U.S. citizen during the past five years.
To bring an adopted child to the United States from Ireland, 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.
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
You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.
Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.
You are about to visit: