Immigration Law

International Adoptions And Hague Convention Countries

By Robert Kraft

International adoptions are back in the headlines again, and it is not because a celebrity has adopted another international child. On April 1, 2008, the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Convention) became effective with respect to the United States. The Hague Convention is an international agreement between Convention member countries. Currently, there are 75 countries that have joined the Hague Convention.

U.S. parents seeking to adopt overseas will see new adoption procedures. Some of the pertinent changes are:

New forms must be used. Form I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country, and Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative are required as of April 1, 2008. All Hague Convention intercountry applications will be processed at the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services National Benefits Center.

U.S families will now be working with accredited, temporarily accredited, or approved adoption providers that provide adoption services;

U.S. families will be able to initiate a public complaint related to the intercountry adoptions.

New documents will be issued by consular officers overseas, The Hague Adoption Certificate or the Hague Custody Certificate. These documents will essentially state the requirements of the Convention have been met for an adoption or custody declaration completed overseas.

It is important to note that the new regulations apply only to adoptions that transpire between two countries that have approved and implemented the Hague Convention.

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Full post as published by Immigration Law Answers Blog on April 15, 2008 (boomark / email).