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Intercountry Adoption > Country Information > Mozambique Intercountry Adoption Information
Updated to reflect change in overall travel advisory level from 3 to 2 due to decrease of election related protests, and addition of Niassa Special Reserve to Do Not Travel section.
Exercise increased caution when traveling to Mozambique due to health issues, crime, civil unrest, and terrorism. Some areas have greater risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Do Not Travel To:
Country Summary: Unplanned protests remain possible throughout the country and can quickly become violent. Protests may temporarily block major roads, including toll booths and border crossings.
Violent crime, such as mugging, is common.
Mozambique’s health infrastructure is weak, medicine availability is variable and often in short supply. Local medical facilities may lack basic resources and supplies, and may require cash payment up front. There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Mozambique. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more.
Terrorist groups in northern Mozambique continue to be active. Attackers may strike public areas and tourist destinations with little or no warning, sometimes taking hostages. Upscale lodges in remote areas which cater to international big-game hunters have been targeted. Security and police forces may be slow to respond.
Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Mozambique.
If you decide to travel to Mozambique:
Cabo Delgado Province, the Niassa Special Reserve within Niassa Province, and certain northern districts in Nampula Province – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Terrorists continue to conduct and plot attacks on government forces, villages, and key supply routes in Cabo Delgado Province and the bordering districts of Memba and Erati in Nampula Province. Cabo Delgado’s capitol city of Pemba is vulnerable to attack due to the proximity of violent extremist forces and their increasing sophistication. Upscale hunting lodges in and around the Niassa Special Reserve have been specifically targeted by terrorists with hostages taken.
Although prior terrorist attacks centered around securing resources from government forces, travelers should be aware of their surroundings, especially in large public places.
Be aware of increased government security checkpoints in Cabo Delgado Province.
If you must travel to the affected areas of Cabo Delgado, Niassa, and Nampula Provinces, consider hiring a security firm.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Mozambique is not a party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention or Convention.
While domestic adoption by U.S. citizens living in Mozambique is possible, intercountry adoption (taking the child to reside in a foreign country while still a minor) is not possible. Under Mozambique’s laws, the adopted child must reside with the parents in Mozambique until reaching 18 years of age.
U.S. citizens interested in adopting children from Mozambique should contact the adoption authority of Mozambique to inquire about applicable laws and procedures. U.S. citizen prospective adoptive parents living in Mozambique who would like to adopt a child from the United States or from a third country should also contact Mozambique’s adoption authority. See contact information below.
Please visit the Department of State’s country page for more information on travelling to Mozambique and U.S. Embassy Maputo’s website for information on consular services.
Mozambique’s Adoption Authority
Instituto Nacional da Accão Social
Departamento da Crianca (Social Services National Directorate, Children’s Department)
21 Consiglieri Pedroso Rd, Maputo, Mocambique 1100
Tel: +258 21 350300/301 064
Internet:Instituto Nacional da Accão Social
Embassy of Mozambique
Embassy of the Republic of Mozambique
1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 202-293-7146 ext. 224 and 230
Fax: 202-835-0245
Email: washington.dc@embamoc.gov.mz
Internet: usa.embamoc.gov.mz
Mozambique also has a consulate in New York City.
U.S. Embassy in Mozambique
Avenida Kenneth Kaunda 193
Maputo, Mozambique
Tel: + (258) 21 49 2797
Fax: + (258) 21 49 0448
Email: ConsularMaputo@state.gov
Internet: mz.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
https://adoption.state.gov
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
For questions about a pending Form I-600A application, Form I-600 petition or related supplement:
USCIS
Tel: 1-877-424-8374 (toll free); 1-913-275-5480 (local)
Fax:1-913-214-5808
Email: NBC.Adoptions@uscis.dhs.gov
For other USCIS-related questions:
USCIS Contact Center
1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)
Internet: uscis.gov
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