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The Intercountry Adoption Process
The intercountry adoption process varies, depending on the State where the prospective parents reside, the adoption agency, and the country involved. In every case, prospective adoptive parents must meet the basic requirements of U.S. immigration law, and all children adopted through intercountry adoption must obtain a visa from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. If families are adopting children from a country that is a party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, different processes apply. In this section you can find information and resources on the intercountry adoption process and how to get started.
- General information on the intercountry adoption process
- Hague Convention adoptions
- Non-Hague Convention adoptions
Intercountry Adoption
U.S. Department of State
Provides information for prospective adoptive parents, agencies, attorneys and judges, social workers, and adopted people. The website covers news, travel warnings, statistics, information on visas, the role of the State Department in intercountry adoptions, and information on the Hague Convention.
| Intercountry Adoption: Where Do I Start? | |
| Series Title: | Factsheets for Families |
| Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability: | View Download (PDF - 307KB) Order (Free) - Add to Cart |
| Year Published: | 2009 - 13 pages |
| Americans adopted 17,433 children from other countries in FY 2008. This factsheet provides an overview of the intercountry adoption process, including deciding if intercountry adoption is right for your family, selecting the country your child will come from, choosing an adoption services provider, meeting immigration and citizenship requirements, and adjusting to life as a new family. It also discusses some of the differences between adoptions from Hague Convention and non-Hague Convention countries. | |
| Intercountry Adoption from Hague Convention and Non-Hague Convention Countries | |
| Series Title: | Factsheets for Families |
| Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability: | View Download (PDF - 211KB) |
| Year Published: | 2009 - 10 pages |
| The process for intercountry adoptions changed in some significant ways with the U.S. ratification of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption on April 1, 2008. The rules are different for U.S. citizens who adopt a child from a nation that is party to the Hague Convention than for those who adopt from a nation that is not party to the Hague. This factsheet is designed to provide basic comparative information about the two types of intercountry adoption, as well as resources for more detailed information. | |
Adopting a Relative
U.S. Department of State
Provides answers to frequently asked questions about the adoption of relatives who are citizens of another country.
General information on the intercountry adoption process
Adoption
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Includes an overview of the adoption application process and links to relevant forms and information for both Hague and non-Hague adoptions.
Getting Started in International Adoption
Adoptive Families Magazine
Offers an overview of online resources to guide prospective adoptive parents.
International Adoptions and Adoption Subsidies
North American Council on Adoptable Children
Explains eligibility requirements for Federal title IV-E adoption assistance and why children adopted internationally are generally not eligible for this assistance. Eligibility for reimbursement of nonrecurring expenses through State programs is also discussed.
Report on Intercountry Adoption
Adoption Resource Center of Connecticut (2008)
Provides background information for prospective adoptive parents about intercountry adoptions and lists agencies that coordinate placements for children born outside of the United States.
Hague Convention adoptions
Accredited Agencies
U.S. Department of State
Lists adoption service providers accredited or approved to provide adoption services for parents adopting from countries that are parties to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption.
Convention Countries
U.S. Department of State
Lists countries that are parties to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption.
Hague Adoption Process
U.S. Department of State
Provides an overview of the process for adopting a child from a country that has joined the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption.
Non-Hague Convention adoptions
How Do I Apply to Bring a Foreign-Born Orphan to the United States?
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Offers answers to frequently asked questions about intercountry adoption.
The Immigration of Adopted and Prospective Adoptive Children (PDF - 2578 KB)
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (2000)
Provides a description of the intercountry adoption process and explains the major issues adoptive parents should understand before beginning the process.
Non-Hague Adoption Process
U.S. Department of State
Describes the process for adopting a child from a country that has not joined the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption.