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Travel.State.Gov > Intercountry Adoption > Country Information > Gabon Intercountry Adoption Information

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Travel.State.Gov > Intercountry Adoption > Country Information > Gabon Intercountry Adoption Information

Gabon

Gabon
Gabonese Republic
Exercise increased caution to Gabon due to unrest, crime, and health.

Updated after periodic review. There was no change to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated.

Exercise increased caution in Gabon due to unrest, crime, and health. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire travel advisory.

Unrest

Demonstrations and protests may occur in Gabon without warning. Protests often occur in Libreville and Port Gentil.

Crime

Crime is common in Libreville and Port Gentil. It includes robbery, vehicle break-ins, and residential burglaries.

Health

Access to medical care is limited. Medical facilities are limited in quality and standard of care they can provide. They may not have enough supplies of basic medications, especially outside of large cities.

If you decide to travel to Gabon:

  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
  • Review the Country Security Report for Gabon.
  • Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Gabon.
  • Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist.
  • We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.
  • Review our information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime.
  • Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
  • Have a plan to leave in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis and Evacuations.
  • Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
  • Check local media for breaking events. Be prepared to adjust your plans.
  • Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
... [READ MORE]

National Interest Exceptions for Adoption Visas

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 10998 on “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,” which took effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 1, 2026, the United States is suspending or limiting entry and visa issuance to nationals of 39 countries as well as individuals applying using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority.  

As noted in our Adoption Notice on National Interest Exceptions for Adoption Visas, in countries where the issuance of immigrant visas is currently limited, children being adopted by Americans can qualify for an exception under the National Interest Exception. 

These American families should continue the normal adoption process. They should submit visa applications and attend consular interviews. They do not need to take other additional steps to be considered for a case-by-case exception under the National Interest Exception. 

Hague Convention Participation

Hague Adoption Convention Country?
No
Are Intercountry Adoptions between this country and the United States possible?
Intercountry adoptions to the United States from Gabon are possible, but rare. Adoptions from the United States to Gabon may be possible.
ALL / ALL /

Hague Convention Information

Gabon is not a party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention or Convention). Under the Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act of 2012 (UAA), which became effective on July 14, 2014, the requirement that adoption service providers be accredited or approved, and therefore meet the accreditation standards, which previously only applied in Convention cases, now also applies in non-Convention (“orphan”) cases under section 101(b)(1)(F) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The UAA requires that an accredited or approved adoption service provider act as the primary provider in every Convention or non-Convention intercountry adoption case, and that adoption service providers providing any adoption services, as defined at 22 CFR Part 96.2, on behalf of prospective adoptive parents be accredited or approved, or be a supervised or exempted provider. See additional guidance for limited situations when a primary provider may not be required. Intercountry adoptions of children from non-Convention countries continue to be processed under the Orphan Process with the filing of the Forms I-600A and I-600. However, adoption service providers should be aware of the information on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website on the impact of the UAA on Form I-600A and Form I-600 adjudications, including the requirement that all home studies, including home study updates and amendments, comply with the home study requirements listed at 8 CFR 204.311, which differ from the orphan home study requirements that were in effect before July 14, 2014.

U.S. citizens interested in adopting children from Gabon should contact the adoption authority of Gabon to inquire about applicable laws and procedures. U.S. citizen prospective adoptive parents living in Gabon who would like to adopt a child from the United States or from a third country should also contact Gabon’s adoption authority. See contact information below.

Caution: Prospective adoptive parents should be aware that not all children in orphanages or children’s homes are eligible for adoption. In many countries, birth parents place their child(ren) temporarily in an orphanage or children’s home due to financial or other hardship, intending that the child return home when possible. In such cases, the birth parent(s) have rarely relinquished their parental rights or consented to the adoption of their child(ren).

Please visit the Department of State’s country page for more information on travelling to Gabon and U.S. Embassy Libreville’s website for information on consular services.

U.S. Immigration Requirements

To bring an adopted child to the United States from Gabon, you must meet certain suitability and eligibility requirements. USCIS determines who is suitable and eligible to adopt a child from another country and bring that child to live in the United States under U.S. immigration law.

Additionally, a child must meet the definition of an orphan under U.S. immigration law in order to be eligible to immigrate to the United States with an IR-3 or IR-4 immigrant visa.

Contact Information

Gabonese Adoption Authority

Ministère De La Promotion Et De L’intégration De La Femme Au Développement, Chargé De La Lutte Contre Les Violences Faites Aux Femmes, Chargé Du Suivi De La Stratégie De L’investissement Humain, Et Des Solidarités Nationales: La Direction Générale Des Affaires Sociales. The primary contact is Paul Saturnine ONDO ENGOUROU.

Boulevard du Bord de Mer, BP 5684, Libreville, Gabon
Tel: + (241) 77 28 42 01
Internet: famille.gouv.ga 

Embassy Of The Gabonese Republic To The United States Of America
2034 20th St, NW Washington, DC 20009
Tel: 202-797-1000
​Fax: 202-332-0668
Email: info@gabonembassyusa.org
Internet: gabonembassyusa.org

U.S. Embassy in Libreville, Gabon
Sablière B.P. 4000, Libreville
Tel: +241 01-45-71-00
Email:  LibrevilleACS@state.gov
Internet: ga.usembassy.gov

Office of Children’s Issues
U.S. Department of State
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20522-1709
Tel: 1-888-407-4747
Email: Adoption@state.gov
Internet: adoption.state.gov

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

For questions about filing a Form I-600A application or a Form I-600 petition with the

USCIS National Benefits Center (NBC):

Tel: 1-877-424-8374 (toll free); 1-913-275-5480 (local); Fax:1- 913-214-5808
Email: NBC.Adoptions@uscis.dhs.gov

For general questions about immigration procedures:

USCIS Contact Center
Tel: 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)
Internet: uscis.gov

Last Updated: January 9, 2020

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Libreville
B.P. 4000
Libreville, Gabon
Telephone
+(241) (0)11-45-71-00
Emergency
+(241) (0)77-38-01-71
Fax
+(241) (0)11-45-71-05
Email
LibrevilleACS@state.gov
Website
https://ga.usembassy.gov/

Gabon Map

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Adoption Statistics

Adoptions from Gabon to U.S. by Year:
SEE ALL STATISTICS
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