Adoptions

Vaccinations

U.S. immigration law requires certain vaccinations (see pp. 9-10) prior to the issuance of an immigrant visa for an adopted child. This vaccination requirement can be postponed if the child is under the age of ten; however, the adopting parent must sign an affidavit before the child's arrival in the United States attesting that, within 30 days of the child's admission to the U.S., or at the earliest time that is medically appropriate, the child will receive the required vaccinations. This affidavit is in a prescribed form; a copy is attached or can be obtained at http://travel.state.gov/. Since many orphans adopted in this region already have a record showing they have received a standard series of vaccinations, the vaccination requirement can be satisfied in many cases by bringing this record to the medical examination so that the Embassy panel physician can certify it. Please see Vaccination Requirements.