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  • The Intercountry Adoption Process

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. When considering intercountry adoption, prospective parents should also learn about the social and cultural context in which their adoptive child was born and assess whether they can meet their child's needs. Take a look at your community and surroundings and ask yourself whether it is welcoming and comfortable for your child and your new multicultural family. You should also consider how you will support your child’s ongoing racial and cultural identity. This section contains information and resources on the intercountry adoption process and how to get started.

Adoption
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Includes an overview of intercountry adoption and links to relevant forms and information for two different intercountry adoption processes. One guides adoptions from countries that are party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. The other guides adoptions from non-Convention countries.

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.

Adoption Statistics  
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs 
Provides statistics on international adoption in the United States for the most recent fiscal year data available. Results can be sorted by country, State, year, and more. 

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.

FY 2019 Annual Report on Intercountry Adoption (PDF - 834 KB) 
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Children's Issues (2020) 
Offers data and statistics on intercountry adoption in the United States for fiscal year 2019 and discusses efforts to establish or maintain adoptions from other countries as a viable option for children in need of permanency around the world.

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Spotlight On

Intercountry Adoption: What Do I Need to Know?
Child Welfare Information Gateway
(2020)
Completing Intercountry Adoptions Not Finalized Abroad
Child Welfare Information Gateway
(2019)

Intercountry Adoption

U.S. Department of State

More From Our Library

2016 to Present

Intercountry adoption

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