Factsheet

Disclaimer: The following is intended as a very general guide to assist U.S. citizens who plan to adopt a child in Paraguay and apply for an immigrant visa for the child to come to the United States. Two sets of laws are particularly relevant: 1) the laws of Paraguay govern all activity in Paraguay including the adoptability of individual children as well as the adoption of children in country. 2) U.S. Federal immigration law governs the immigration of the child to the United States. The information in this flier relating to the legal requirements of specific foreign countries is based on public sources and our current understanding. It does not necessarily reflect the actual state of the laws of Paraguay and is provided for general information only. Moreover, U.S. immigration law, including regulations and interpretation, changes from time to time. This flyer reflects our current understanding of the law as of this date and is not legally authoritative. Questions involving foreign and U.S. immigration laws and legal interpretation should be addressed respectively to qualified foreign or U.S. legal counsel.

PLEASE NOTE: Presently, international adoptions are not allowed in Paraguay. Paraguayan law gives preference in adoption to Paraguayan citizens and legal permanent residents residing in Paraguay. As a matter of policy, the government of Paraguay does not permit international adoptions. Should international adoptions be permitted in the future, the government will only allow adoptions by citizens of countries that have ratified the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption (the Convention) and signed an agreement with the central governmental authority overseeing adoptions. The United States has not yet ratified the Convention.

PATTERNS OF IMMIGRATION OF ADOPTED ORPHANS TO THE U.S.: Recent U.S. immigrant visa statistics reflect the following pattern for visa issuance to orphans

Fiscal Year	Number of Immigrant Visas Issued
FY 2004	0
FY 2003	1
FY 2002	1
FY 2001	1
FY 2000	1

ADOPTION AUTHORITY IN PARAGUAY:
The adoption authority for the host government is the Centro de Adopciones (Adoption Center), which is under the authority of the National Secretariat of Childhood and Adolescence. Inquiries should be made in Spanish.
Address: Avenida Mariscal Lopez 1549 c/Pitiantuta, Asuncion.
Phone: 595-21-207-160
Hours: Monday thru Friday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Credits: U.S. Department of State