Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

Intercountry Adoption

English

Country Information

Kuwait

Kuwait
State of Kuwait
Exercise normal precautions in Kuwait. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Last Update: Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed. 

Exercise normal precautions in Kuwait. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do not travel to:

  • The desert region near the border with Iraq due to the prevalence of unexploded ordnance.

Exercise increased caution in:

  • The Jeleeb Al-Shuyoukh area in Kuwait City due to crime.

Due to risks to civil aviation operating within the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman region, including Kuwait, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an advisory Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) and/or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). For more information U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices.

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

If you decide to travel to Kuwait:

Desert Region North of the Mutla’a Ridge and Near the Border with Iraq – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Desert areas and certain beaches north of the Mutla’a Ridge continue to contain unexploded ordnance left over from the 1990-1991 Gulf War. Travelers should avoid areas that are “off the beaten path” and avoid touching objects that are potentially unexploded ordnance.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Jeleeb Al-Shuyoukh – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

The Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior has identified the neighborhood of Jeleeb Al-Shuyoukh on the outskirts of Kuwait International Airport as a high-crime area.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

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Hague Convention Participation

Hague Adoption Convention Country?
No

Hague Convention Information

Kuwaiti laws do not allow for adoption, and, as such, there are no agencies in Kuwait that facilitate adoptions.  Kuwait’s constitution is based on Islamic law, which does not permit adoption. Children determined by the Ministry of Social Affairs to be orphans are considered to be in the custody of the State of Kuwait (Ministry of Social Affairs). There are no non-Kuwaiti orphans.  The Ministry of Social Affairs can place Kuwaiti orphans under temporary guardianship of willing Kuwaiti citizens under certain conditions (e.g., the guardians must be Muslim); however, the children are not able to be adopted, and they remain under guardianship until they are adults. If you would like additional guidance on Kuwaiti law related to guardianship, please consult a local attorney familiar with laws and regulations regarding guardianship in Kuwait.

Additionally, prospective adoptive parents should refer to our information sheet on Adoption of Children from Countries in which Islamic Shari’a Law is observed for more information.

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

Contact Information

KUWAIT’S GUARDIANSHIP AUTHORITY:
Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor
Department of Family Nursing
Address: Shuwaikh area, Kuwait City
Tel: +(965) 2 24873177 
POC: Awatef AlQaryan: (ext. 134) or Eman Al Enezi (ext. 105)

U.S. Embassy in Kuwait City, Kuwait
Address: Bayan, Block 13
Masjed Al-Aqsa Street
Kuwait City, Kuwait
Tel: +(965) 2259-1001; Emergency: +(965) 2259-1001
Fax: +(965) 2259-1438
Email:  KuwaitIV@state.gov
Internet: https://kw.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
http://adoption.state.gov

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
For questions about filing a Form I-600A application or a Form I-600 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: July 5, 2023

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Kuwait
Bayan, Block 13,
Masjed Al-Aqsa Street,
Kuwait City, Kuwait
Telephone
+(965) 2259-1001
Emergency
+(965) 2259-1001
Fax
+(965) 2259-1438

Kuwait Map