Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

Intercountry Adoption

English

Country Information

Montenegro

Montenegro
Montenegro
Exercise normal precautions in Montenegro.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise normal precautions in Montenegro.

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

If you decide to travel to Montenegro:  

... [READ MORE]

Hague Convention Participation

Hague Adoption Convention Country?
Yes

Hague Convention Information

Montenegro is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Intercountry adoption processing in Hague countries is done in accordance with the requirements of the 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 Montenegro.

Intercountry adoptions from Montenegro are extremely rare; fewer than five adoptions by U.S. citizen parents have taken place in the last decade. Montenegro places a priority on domestic adoption. Generally, only children with special needs are available for inter-country adoption. Prospective adoptive parents should be aware that most children in orphanages or foster care are not adoptable, and that the only way to be matched with a child is to submit an application to be found eligible to adopt with the Montenegro Central Authority (MCA) and wait for the MCA to identify a child eligible for intercountry adoption. No U.S. adoption service providers are accredited by the MCA to provide adoption services in Montenegro, and prospective adoptive parents should be wary of any adoption agencies making statements contradicting information provided here or by the MCA. The Office of Children’s Issues can be contacted for further verification.

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

Please visit the Department’s Country Specific Information for more information on traveling to Montenegro and the U.S. Embassy in Podgorica’s website for information on consular services.

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

Do not attempt to adopt or obtain custody of a child in Montenegro before a U.S. consular officer issues the Article 5 Letter in any 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.

Montenegro’s Adoption Authority
Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare
Department of Social Welfare and Child Protection

U.S. Immigration Requirements

To bring an adopted child to the United States from Montenegro, 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 Montenegro
Dzona Dzeksona 2
81000 Podgorica
Montenegro
Tel: +382 (0)20 410 500
Fax: +382 (0)20 241 358
Email: PodgoricaACS@state.gov
Internet: me.usembassy.gov

Montenegro’s Adoption Authority
Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare
Directorate of Social Welfare and Child Protection
Ms. Svetlana Sovilj - Head of the Department for Protection of Children and Youth
Rimski trg 46
81000 Podgorica
Montenegro
Tel: +382 20 482 452 
Email: svetlana.sovilj@mrs.gov.ne

Embassy of Montenegro
1610 New Hampshire Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
Tel: 1-202-234-6108
Fax: 1-202- 234-6109
Email: usa@mfa.gov.me

Montenegro also has a consulate in New York.

Office of Children’s Issues
U.S. Department of State
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20522-1709
Tel: 1-888-407-4747
Email: AdoptionUSCA@state.gov
Internet: 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: June 13, 2023

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Podgorica
Dzona Dzeksona 2
81000 Podgorica
Montenegro
Telephone
382 20 410 500
Emergency
N/A
Fax
No Fax

Montenegro Map