Adoption Agencies and Information for the
Marshall Islands

While the Marshall Islands are not technically closed for adoptions by US citizens, there have been very few (if any) adoptions from this country in recent years. The Department of State strongly advises American citizens not to adopt in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) at this time.

In the past, there have been facilitators arranging for Marshallese women to travel to Hawaii and other States for the birth of a child for adopting out to US citizens. The new law states it is illegal to knowingly facilitate a person to travel outside the Republic for purposes of placing that person’s child or children, whether born or unborn, for adoption.

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: Marshall Islands Adoption and Adoption Agencies
JCICS Adoption Agencies: Marshall_ Islands
The U.S. Department of State: Authentications Office
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.