On June 1, 2019, the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Convention) entered into force in Guyana.  The United States has determined that it will be able to process intercountry adoptions consistent with the Convention, allowing consular officers to verify on a case-by-case basis that the intercountry adoption can proceed in accordance with U.S. laws and U.S. obligations under the Convention.

Please note that all adoptions between Guyana and the United States, other than transition cases (those that started prior to June 1, 2019), must meet the requirements of the Convention and U.S. laws.  Do not finalize an adoption or obtain legal custody of a child in Guyana in a case that is not a transition case, before a U.S. consular officer issues an “Article 5 Letter.”  See the “Hague Adoption Process” section for more information.

Note that under Guyanese law, prospective adoptive parents must retain a Guyanese lawyer.  Prospective adoptive parents initiating an intercountry adoption on or after May 30, 2025, should work closely with their U.S. accredited adoption service provider and maintain communication with Guyana’s Central Authority Office to ensure they complete all necessary steps in accordance with Guyanese and U.S. laws.     

For those who started the intercountry adoption process before June 1, 2019, by filing a Form I-600A or a Form I-600, or obtaining a final adoption for a child in Guyana, please contact adoption@state.gov with the details of the case. Questions about the transition process, Form I-600A, Form I-600, and/or Form I-800A filings will be directed to USCIS.

We are in the process of updating our Country Information Sheet for Guyana.  Please continue to monitor http://adoption.state.gov for updated information as it becomes available.  If you have any questions about this notice, please contact the Office of Children’s Issues at adoption@state.gov.