I have seen a couple of agencies recently that have advertised on their website they are processing adoptions out of Montenegro. Here's a link to one of them.
I found this interesting, since I know Montenegro to be closed to US adoptions at this time.
On July 1st 2012, the Hague Convention went into effect in Montenegro. That means that all adoptions from there must follow Hague regulations, but they have not yet started processing adoptions under Hague.
Montenegro has not yet started processing adoptions into the U.S.
Just to make sure the Department of State's website information on Montenegro was correct ( I know how difficult it can be for them to keep up with everything.) The website also states that there is only one adoption that ever happened into the US, and that was in 2010. I emailed the Department of State for verification.
So how is it that adoption agencies can state in emails they currently have families in process from Montenegro when the US Department of State says there is no convention process in effect?
Interestingly the same agency linked above claims to be processing adoptions in Serbia. The information listed on their country program page says two unrelated children can be adopted at the same time. I know this is absolutely not true for Serbia. The only way you can adopt more than one child at a time from Serbia is if when they are biological siblings. The website also says children can be as young as three months old at the time of referral. This is also untrue in Serbia. A Serbian child is not eligible for referral for international adoption until one year of age.
I found this interesting, since I know Montenegro to be closed to US adoptions at this time.
On July 1st 2012, the Hague Convention went into effect in Montenegro. That means that all adoptions from there must follow Hague regulations, but they have not yet started processing adoptions under Hague.
Montenegro has not yet started processing adoptions into the U.S.
Just to make sure the Department of State's website information on Montenegro was correct ( I know how difficult it can be for them to keep up with everything.) The website also states that there is only one adoption that ever happened into the US, and that was in 2010. I emailed the Department of State for verification.
Dear Ms. Spring:Thank you for your inquiry regarding adoption from Montenegro. The Montenegro country page has ourmost current information on adoptions from that country, at:http://adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=montenegro.Please continue to check that page for updates. When Montenegro implements an effective Convention intercountry adoption process and the U.S. can process adoptions from that country, the country pageshould also have information on eligibility requirements for both the child and prospective adoptiveparents. Yours truly,AskCI
So how is it that adoption agencies can state in emails they currently have families in process from Montenegro when the US Department of State says there is no convention process in effect?
Interestingly the same agency linked above claims to be processing adoptions in Serbia. The information listed on their country program page says two unrelated children can be adopted at the same time. I know this is absolutely not true for Serbia. The only way you can adopt more than one child at a time from Serbia is if when they are biological siblings. The website also says children can be as young as three months old at the time of referral. This is also untrue in Serbia. A Serbian child is not eligible for referral for international adoption until one year of age.
If you've got any questions about Montenegro I spent some time there a few years back. It is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tidepool. My only questions would be adoption related, most of which I get answered by contacting the US State Department, the Montenegran ministry, or adoption agencies who have had discussions with the ministry.
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