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
General information on the intercountry adoption process
Adoption
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Includes an overview of the intercountry adoption application process and links to relevant forms and information for both Hague and non-Hague adoptions.
The Adoption Planner (PDF - 202 KB)
Adoptive Families Magazine (2005)
Offers a guide for prospective adoptive parents through their adoption journey.
Hague Convention adoptions
Adoption Service Provider Search
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs
Allows for the search of 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, Bureau of Consular Affairs
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, Bureau of Consular Affairs
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
Non-Hague Adoption Process
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs
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.
Orphan Process
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Provides information related to the definition of an orphan, when you may immigrate an adopted child through the orphan process, and other information related to the adoption of an orphan.