Immigration Law

Intercountry Adoption Web Site

By Robert Kraft

Recently, the U.S. Department of State launched a new Web site designed exclusively for intercountry adoption. The Web site, www.adoption.state.gov, provides information regarding the international adoption process, eligibility and requirements to adopt, the specific countries from which Americans can adopt children, the protections provided by the Hague Adoption Convention, and information about selecting an accredited adoption agency. Here is a statement from the site:

Note from the Assistant Secretary

Hello, and welcome to Adoption.State.Gov, the Department of State’s intercountry adoption website. This website is intended to provide you with an overview of the intercountry adoption process and the Hague Adoption Convention. Whether you are a person considering adopting, an adoption agency, a social worker, a legal representative, an adoptee, or just curious about intercountry adoption, I hope that you will find this site to be a useful resource.

I am pleased to say that on April 1, 2008, the Hague Adoption Convention entered into force for the United States.  This is an important milestone for intercountry adoption.  The regulations set forth in the Convention provide important protections for children, adoptive parents, and birth parents.

These standards represent real progress and reflect our commitment to ensuring that adoptees receive all protections that every child deserves.  In addition, it provides that all prospective adoptive U.S. citizen parents receive appropriate assistance when engaged in the intercountry adoption process with a Convention country.  I believe that these regulations will further strengthen the Department of State’s ability to assist U.S. citizens seeking to adopt children abroad.

Sincerely,

Janice L. Jacobs
Assistant Secretary of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs

Full post as published by Immigration Law Answers Blog on November 19, 2008 (boomark / email).