Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

Intercountry Adoption

English

Country Information

Malta

Malta
Republic of Malta
Exercise normal precautions in Malta.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise normal precautions in Malta.

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

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Hague Convention Participation

Hague Adoption Convention Country?
Yes
Are Intercountry Adoptions between this country and the United States possible?
Intercountry adoptions to the United States from Malta and from the United States to Malta are possible. However, adoptions from Malta by foreign nationals are rare.

Hague Convention Information

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 Malta’s Central Authority, [NAME OF CA], for its determination as to whether it considers your adoption to be subject to the Convention.

Malta 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 Malta.

While adoption is legally possible, children from Malta are not generally placed for intercountry adoption. No child from Malta has received a U.S. immigrant visa based on an intercountry adoption in the past five fiscal years. The information provided is intended primarily to assist in extremely rare adoption cases from Malta, including adoptions of children from Malta by relatives in the United States, as well as adoptions from third countries by U.S. citizens living in Malta.

Below is the limited adoption information the Department has obtained from the adoption authority of Malta. U.S. citizens interested in adopting children from Malta should contact the Central Authority of Malta to inquire about applicable laws and procedures. U.S. citizen prospective adoptive parents living in Malta who would like to adopt a child from the United States or from a third country should also contact Malta’s Central Authority. See contact information below.

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

The consular officer will send a letter (referred to as an “Article 5/17 Letter”) to Malta’s Central Authority in any intercountry adoption involving U.S. citizen adoptive parents and a child from Malta if all Convention requirements are met and the child appears eligible to immigrate to the United States. This letter will inform the Malta’s Central Authority that the parents are suitable and eligible to adopt, that the child appears eligible to enter and reside permanently in the United States, and that the U.S. Central Authority agrees that the adoption may proceed.

Warning:  Do not attempt to adopt or obtain custody of a child in Malta 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

MALTA’S ADOPTION AUTHORITY:

Social Care Standards Authority
469, Bugeia Institute
St. Joseph High Road
Santa Venera SVR 1012
Malta
Tel: (356) 2549 4400
Contact Person: Ms. Edwina Gouder
Email:   adoptionca.scsa@gov.mt; feedback.scsa@gov.mt
Internet: http://www.scsa.gov.mt

U.S. Embassy in Malta
Embassy of the United States
Ta’ Qali National Park
Attard, ATD-4000
Malta
Tel: (356) 2561 4000
Fax: (356) 21 243229
E-mail: usembassy@state.gov
Internet: https://mt.usembassy.gov/

Note: The U.S. Embassy in Malta does not process Immigrant Visas applications. All immigrant Visas for Malta are processed by the U.S. Consulate General in Naples, Italy.

U.S. Consulate General in Naples
Consulate General of the United States
Piazza della Republica
80122 Napoli
Italy
Tel: (+39) 081.5838.111
FX: (+39) 081.7611.869
Internet: https://it.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/naples/

Embassy of Malta
2017 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel: (202) 387-5470
Email: maltembassy.washington@gov.mt
Internet: http://www.foreign.gov.mt/Default.aspx?MDIS=504

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
Website: 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: August 24, 2022

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Malta
Ta'Qali National Park Street
Attard ATD 4000
Malta
Telephone
+(356) 2561-4000
Emergency
+(356) 2561-4000
Fax
No Fax

Malta Map