According to the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, securing custody of Egyptian orphans is extremely difficult, as adoption is essentially illegal in Egypt. The U. S. Embassy in Cairo has no authority to intervene in Egyptian court proceedings on behalf of an American couple who wants to adopt an abandoned Egyptian child. Only a legal counselor knowledgeable in Egyptian family law will be able to provide up to date and accurate information regarding the proper procedure for acquiring custody of and/or adopting a child.

In order to complete an international adoption of an Egyptian child and take the child to the United Sates, prospective adopting parents must first satisfy the requirements of Egyptian law and be awarded legal custody with the right to remove the child from Egypt. U.S. couples who attempt to depart Egypt without legal custody of a child may be accused of kidnapping.

To legally adopt an abandoned Egyptian child from an orphanage, adopting parents need the following:
Proof that the Egyptian Ministry of Social Affairs recognizes the orphanage.
A copy of the police report of how the child was found.
A statement from the orphanage about how the child was released to them.
A contract between the orphanage and the adoptive parent(s) showing that it is officially releasing the child to the adoptive parent(s).
(a) American citizens who are not also Egyptian nationals need an Egyptian court order granting them custody or guardianship of the abandoned child. Be aware that this approval is rarely granted.

Adoptive parents, where one is an Egyptian national, need permission from the Egyptian Ministry of Social Affairs granting them custody of the child and allowing them to travel with the child for immigration. The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' approval of the court awarded custody order or the permission granted.
Although procedures and documentary requirements may seem repetitive, obtaining several copies of the same document is advisable and often necessary. Prospective adoptive parent must remember that this process is designed to protect the child and the adoptive parent(s).

NOTE: Obtaining the above documents and permission from the Egyptian government to adopt an Egyptian orphan is a difficult process and, often, an impossible one unless one of the adoptive parents is originally an Egyptian citizen. Compliance with the steps outlined above is essential for the child to depart Egypt and be legally adopted.

Remember that a foreign country's determination that the child is an orphan does not guarantee that the child will be considered an orphan under the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act.

EGYPTIAN EMBASSY

Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt
3521 International Court, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Tel. 202- 895-5400, FAX 202- 244-4319/5131
Consular Section: (202) 966-6342

U.S. EMBASSY IN CAIRO

(North Gate) 8, Kamal el Din Salah St.
Garden City, Unit 64900
APO AE 09839-4900
Tel. 011-20-2-795-7371