Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

Intercountry Adoption

English

Country Information

Monaco

Monaco
Monaco

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 Monaco may be possible.

Hague Convention Information

Monaco 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 Monaco.

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

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

Please visit the Department of State’s country pages for more information on traveling to Monaco, provided on France’s country page, and the Consulate in Marseille’s website for information on consular services.

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

Monaco’s Adoption Authority:
La Direction des Services Judiciaires
Palais de Justice
5 Rue Colonel Bellando de Castro
MC 98000 Monaco
Tel: +377 9898 8163
+377 9898 8811
Fax: +377 9898 8589
Email: bnardi@justice.mc  

U.S. Consulate General in Marseille, France
Place Varian Fry
Marseille Cedex 6
Bouches du Rhone
Marseille, France
Tel: +33 01 43 12 47 54
Email:  citizeninfomarseille@state.gov
Internet: https://fr.usembassy.gov/u-s-consulate-general-marseille/

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
Internet: 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
Tel: 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)
Internet: uscis.gov

Last Updated: October 16, 2018

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Consulate General Marseille
Place Varian Fry, 13286 Marseille Cedex 6
Telephone
+(33)(1) 43-12-47-54
Emergency
+(33)(1) 43-12-22-22
Fax
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Monaco Map