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The Intercountry Adoption Process
The intercountry adoption process varies depending on the State, adoption agency, and 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 and the U.S. Department of State.
This section provides resources on the intercountry adoption process and how to get started.
| 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. | |
Accredited Agencies
U.S. Department of State
List of adoption service providers able to provide adoption services in connection with Hague adoption cases after the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption enters into force for the United States.
Hague Adoption Process
U.S. Department of State
Provides an overview of the process for adopting a child from one of the countries that have joined the Hague Convention on intercountry Adoption.
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 Intercountry Adoption.
Getting Started in International Adoption
Adoptive Families Magazine
An overview of online resources.
Intercountry Adoption
U.S. Department of State
Information for prospective adoptive parents preparing to travel outside the United States to adopt, including travel warnings.
Inter-Country Adoptions
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Includes an overview of the adoption application process and links to relevant forms.
Adopting a Relative
U.S. Department of State
Answers to frequently asked questions about the adoption of relatives who are citizens of another country.
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.
U.S. Adoption Agencies That Place Children From Abroad
Child Welfare Information Gateway
List of licensed private adoption agencies that place children from various countries.