Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

Intercountry Adoption

English

Country Information

Suriname

Suriname
Republic of Suriname
Exercise normal precautions in Suriname.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise normal precautions in Suriname.

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

If you decide to travel to Suriname:

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Hague Convention Participation

Hague Adoption Convention Country?
No

Hague Convention Information

Suriname is not party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention).  Intercountry adoptions of children from non-Hague countries are processed in accordance with 8 Code of Federal Regulations, Section  204.3 as it relates to orphans as defined under the Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 101(b)(1)(F).

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

Caution: Prospective adoptive parents should be aware that not all children in orphanages or children’s homes are adoptable. In many countries, birth parents place their child(ren) temporarily in an orphanage or children’s home due to financial or other hardship, intending that the child return home when this becomes possible. In such cases, the birth parent(s) have rarely relinquished their parental rights or consented to their child(ren)’s adoption.

The nearest immigrant visa-issuing embassy is the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown, Guyana. Please visit the Department of State’s Country Specific Information for more information on travelling to Suriname and the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown, Guyana’s website for information on consular services. You can also contact the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown at visageorge@state.gov. Note that prospective adoptive parents must submit a medical report on the child from a designated physician as part of the immigrant visa application.

U.S. Immigration Requirements

To bring an adopted child to the United States from Suriname, 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 an orphan under U.S. immigration law in order to be eligible to immigrate to the United States with an IR-3 or IR-4 immigrant visa.

Contact Information

SURINAME’S ADOPTION AUTHORITY:

Bureau of Family Rights and Affairs (Bureau Voor Familierechtelijke Zaken)
Henck Arronstraat #3
Paramaribo, Suriname
Tel: (597)-427197 or (597) 852-0661
Email: bufazinternationaal@outlook.com and bufazsuriname@gmail.com

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: July 31, 2018

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Paramaribo
Kristalstaat 165
Paramaribo, Suriname
Telephone
(597) 556-700
Emergency
(597) 710-1112
Fax
(597) 551-524

Suriname Map