El Salvador – Foreign Authorization – Requirements and Procedure

To support the viability of intercountry adoption as an option for permanency for children in El Salvador, the Office of Children’s Issues and the U.S. Embassy in San Salvador sought information from the Salvadoran Central Authority regarding its legal requirements for the authorization of adoption service providers (ASP), pursuant to Article 12 of the Hague Adoption Convention.

El Salvador ratified the Convention on November 17, 1998, and it entered into force on March 1, 1999.

U.S. ASPs interested in providing intercountry adoption services in El Salvador should contact the Oficina para Adopciones (OPA) and request a meeting with the coordinator of the Legal Qualifications Unit. The point of contact is Oscar Mauricio Ramos +503-2231- 9565, who can explain the process and provide a list of required documents and timeframes.

ASPs with questions about intercountry adoptions from El Salvador should contact the Salvadoran Central Authority:

Procuradoría General de la República (PGR), Oficina para Adopcione
Address: 13 Av. Norte y 9a. calle poniente, Torre PGR, 1º Nivel, Centro de Gobierno, San Salvado
Phone: +503 2231-9566
E-mail: adopciones@pgres.gob.sv
Website: www.pgr.gob.sv

Contact person:  Mtr. Manuel Antonio Sanchez Estrada, Executive Director of the Salvadoran Solicitor General's Adoption Office.

For additional information, ASPs may wish to review the El Salvador country-information page.