U.S. State Department

The State Department is the top level federal agency that oversees international procedures, including adoption. The Office of Children’s Issues formulates, develops and coordinates policies and programs and provides direction to foreign service posts on international adoption, and coordinates policy and provides information on international adoption to the public. It does not get directly involved as a party to an adoption or have input into approvals and visas. The State Department plays an instrumental role in implementation of the Hague Convention on Intercountry adoption, and is the issuing authority for U.S. Passports.