Adoption Agencies and Information for Lesotho

In Lesotho, intercountry adoptions are governed under the Child Welfare and Protection Act, no. 60 of 1980 and the Adoption Proclamation of 1952. Under these laws, prospective adoptive parents are required to reside in Lesotho for two years before adoptions. Despite this, intercountry adoptions are processed and approved.  There are no adoption agencies or attorneys approved by the Lesotho government. Prospective adoptive parents apply directly to the Department of Social Welfare. At this time, there are no formal application forms.

The government office responsible for adoptions in Lesotho is the following:
Department of Social Welfare
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
P/Bag A 222
Maseru, 100
Lesotho
Tel: +266 (22) 326-013

LESOTHO EMBASSY AND CONSULATE IN THE UNITED STATES:
Embassy Of The Kingdom Of Lesotho
2511 Massachusetts Avenue, N. W.,
Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel.: 1-202-797-5533

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.

The U.S. Department of State: Lesotho 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.

This site is intended as a very general guide to assist adopting persons who are considering the adoption of a child from a foreign country.  External links should not be construed as an endorsement of the site, the adoption agencies listed, or of the information contained within the sites.