Adoption Information: Guyana

On June 1, 2019, the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (the Hague Adoption Convention, or Convention) went into effect in Guyana. Guyana is now a party to the Hague Adoption Convention. However, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has determined that it will not be able to process intercountry adoptions from Guyana initiated on or after June 1, 2019, because Guyana has not yet passed implementing legislation giving authority to the designated central authority to carry out its responsibilities under the Convention.

For this reason, U.S. consular officers cannot issue the required Hague Adoption Certificate or Hague Custody Certificate at this time. Without this certification, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) cannot approve a Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative.

Because U.S. prospective adoptive parents cannot complete the immigration process for an adopted child from Guyana, we advise these parents not to file Form I-800 on behalf of a child to be adopted from Guyana, as USCIS will reject these petitions. We also advise families not to file Form I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country, identifying Guyana as the country from which they intend to adopt.

We will promptly advise the public if a future determination is made that the processing of intercountry adoptions from Guyana may proceed. USCIS will begin processing Forms I-800 for adoptions from Guyana once such a determination is made.

For the latest information on Guyana, see the Country Information page on the DOS website and the latest DOS adoption notices for Guyana.