The purpose of the complaint registry is to allow individuals to register a
complaint regarding U.S. adoption service providers (ASPs), their conduct,
ethical standards, professional qualifications/practices, and procedures in
accordance with the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation
in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Convention), the Intercountry Adoption
Act of 2000 (IAA), the Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act of 2012
(UAA), or the implementing Federal regulations (22 CFR Part 96). Adoption service
providers must maintain substantial compliance with the standards of 22 CFR Part 96
for all cases subject to the Convention or the UAA.
The Intercountry Adoption Complaint Registry will forward your complaint to an
Accrediting Entity for review. If you wish to view the Hague Convention, IAA, UAA,
or the Federal regulations implementing the IAA and the Convention,
click here.
Submitting a Complaint Electronically
Please read the following instructions before submitting a
complaint via the link below. Specific information such as
names, dates, places, and the type of supporting documentation
you can provide are necessary in assessing if one or more
of these laws, regulations, or standards have potentially
been implicated. Supporting documentation may be attached
to your complaint. See instructions below. You can also
mail your supporting documentation using the instructions in the next section.
Once your complaint has been received, you should expect
to be contacted by the Accrediting Entity, for further information.
To submit a complaint electronically, simply click on the
link below. You may provide supporting documentation for
your complaint as an attachment. When finished, click the Confirm button.
Submitting a Complaint by Mail or Fax
If you wish, you may print out the form and fax it to the U.S. Central
Authority at 202-736-9080. Supporting documentation may be faxed as well.
You may also print the form and mail it, along with any supporting documentation, to:
U.S. Central Authority
U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children’s Issues, Adoption Unit
SA-17, Floor 09
Washington, DC 20522-1709
You can also request that we send these forms by calling the Department of State at (888) 407-4747.
After receiving your initial complaint, if the Accrediting Entity determines
that the issues raised do not pertain to intercountry adoption laws, regulations,
or standards, you may want to pursue another course of action such as seeking
resolution with the adoption service provider again, contacting the adoption licensing
authority or attorney general in the state the adoption service provider is registered
in, or speaking with law enforcement officials.
Other resources:
• The agency’s state licensing authority: information for state
licensing authorities can be found here National Adoption Directory Search
• The Better Business Bureau (BBB): Better Business Bureau
• You should also consider engaging a reputable attorney to seek appropriate legal remedies.
If this an emergency, please contact the U.S Central Authority for the Hague Adoption Convention
in the Department of State Call Center toll free at
(888) 407-4747. Call Center hours are from 8:00 a.m.
to 8:00 p.m. EST. If you need assistance after hours, an automated message will direct you to an
emergency duty officer for assistance.
The Department of State is committed to ensuring that any personal information received by
our overseas embassies and consulates pursuant to the registration of complaints received by
the U.S. Central Authority, whether in person or otherwise, is safeguarded against unauthorized
disclosure.
AUTHORITIES: The information is sought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 14901 et seq.,
42 U.S.C. 14925, and 22 CFR Part 96.
PURPOSE: The information solicited on this form will be used by the Accrediting
Entity to review your complaint and by the Department of State in its role as the U.S.
Central Authority and as part of its monitoring and oversight of the Accrediting Entity.
ROUTINE USES: The Department of State will share the information on this form
with an Accrediting Entity and the Accrediting Entity may share the information with
the adoption service provider who is the subject of the complaint if the complaint is
accepted for review. The information may also be made available to state licensing,
law enforcement, or other U.S. government agencies as needed. More information on
applicable Routine Uses can be found in the Department of State System of Records
Notice State-05, Overseas Citizens Services Records and Other Overseas Records.
DISCLOSURE: Providing this information is voluntary.
Failure to provide the information requested on this form
may result in an Accrediting Entity being unable to initiate
review of your complaint.