Adoption Agencies and Information for Croatia

Croatian law gives absolute priority to adoptions by Croatian citizens. While there is nothing in Croatian law that specifically prohibits foreigners from adopting Croatian children, the law stresses that there must be overwhelming justification and exceptionally compelling reasons. The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare must approve such adoptions. Foreign adoption and removal of Croatian children from their homeland is a sensitive subject to Croatian authorities and to the Croatian people. In practice, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to obtain this approval.  There are relatively few adoptable children among the total number of children who are without parental care on a temporary or permanent basis. Traditionally, relatives take in orphan children.

CROATIA EMBASSY AND CONSULATES IN THE UNITED STATES:
Embassy of the Republic of Croatia
2343 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202) 588-5943

For more information about adoption from this country and about adoption agencies that can assist you, please visit the websites below.  Prospective adoptive parents are advised to fully research any of the adoption agencies they plan to use for adoption services.

Croatia: Additional Adoption Agencies and Contact Information

The U.S. Department of State: Croatia Adoption and Adoption Agencies
The U.S. Department of State: Authentications Office
U.S. Department of State: International Adoption Information Booklet
Department of State: How can adopted children come to the U.S.?
Child Citizenship Act of 2000
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
U.S. Foreign travel registration
U.S. Government Consular Information Sheets

*Footnote: The Joint Council for International Children’s Services (JCICS) is one of the oldest and largest membership associations of licensed non-profit international adoption agencies.  All of the above adoption agencies are listed as members of JCICS.