The Netherlands is a party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention or Convention). Intercountry adoption processing in Convention countries must be done in accordance with the requirements of the Hague Adoption Convention; the U.S. implementing legislation, the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (IAA); the IAA’s implementing regulations and U.S. adoption-related immigration policies; as well as the implementing legislation and regulations of the Netherlands.
The Ministry of Legal Protections in the Netherlands announced, after a parliamentary majority instructed the Minister for Legal Protection, effective May 21, 2024, it would not allow new intercountry adoption cases to begin. The Dutch Central Authority is developing plans for cases that have already been initiated. For more information, please refer to the Dutch Central Authority’s announcement or contact the Dutch Central Authority.
Please visit the Department of State’s country page for more information on traveling to the Netherlands and U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam’s website for information on consular services.
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 Netherlands Central Authority, the Ministry of Justice, for its determination as to whether it considers your adoption to be subject to the Convention.
The Netherlands Adoption Authority
Ministry of Justice
Directie Justitiele Jeugdbescherming
Centrale Autoriteit Internationale Adoptie
PO Box 20301, 2500 EH
Den Haag, The Netherlands
U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Immigrant Visa Unit
Attention: Adoption Issues
Museumplein 19
1071 DJ Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Tel: (31) 20 575 5331
Fax:(31) 20 679 0321 (address to Immigrant Visa Services)
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: +358-9-616-25730
Office of Children's Issues
U.S. Department of State
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Tel: 1-888-407-4747
E-mail: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
For general questions about immigration procedures:
USCIS Contact Center
Tel: 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)
Internet: uscis.gov
Last Updated: September 9, 2024
