Adoption

Notice on vaccination requirements for children adopted under the Hague Convention:

We have recently received inquiries seeking clarification on the vaccination requirements for children adopted under the Hague Convention.  U.S. immigration law requires all immigrants to the U.S. (including orphans adopted overseas) to receive certain vaccinations before being approved for an immigrant visa.  In certain situations, U.S. immigration law allows a vaccination waiver for some children who are adopted under the pre-Hague, I-600A system.  These children must then get the required vaccinations after arriving in the U.S.  However, U.S. law does not allow vaccination waivers for children adopted under the I-800A/Hague Convention system.  Therefore, before traveling to the U.S., Hague adoptees must get all the vaccinations required by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) appropriate to their situation (i.e., according to a child’s age and previous vaccination history).

U.S. Consulate Guangzhou, in close coordination with the Centers for Disease Control, authorizes certain medical facilities in China to provide medical examinations and vaccinations for immigrant and adoption visa applicants.  For a list of the approved panel physician facilities in China, click here.

For a list of the vaccinations currently required by the CDC, please click here.

We appreciate your understanding as we transition to Hague standards for international adoptions.  If there are any questions, please contact us at GuangzhouA@state.gov