Concerning international adoption, the countries of the world are separated into two categories: Hague Convention Countries and Non-Hague Convention Countries. A Hague Convention Country is one bound by an international treaty entitled Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. This treaty was ratified at the Hague in 2007, and became known as the Hague Convention.
The Hague Convention establishes stringent requirements between participating countries that insure that an adoption is in the best interest of the child being adopted and to help prevent child trafficking.
For an overview of the different processes for adopting a child who lives in a Hague Convention Country compared to adopting a child that lives in a Non-Hague Convention Country, visit: https://adoptioncouncil.org/article/addressing-convention-country-questions-hague-v-non-hague-country-fact-sheet/
Currently there are 104 countries that are members to the Hague Convention, including China, Dominican Republic, India, Kenya, Mexico, and Turkey. For a complete list of Hague Convention Countries visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/Intercountry-Adoption/Adoption-Process/understanding-the-hague-convention/convention-countries.html
In addition, the U.S. Department of State has compiled a helpful brochure, Intercountry Adoption from A-Z, located at: http://adoption.state.gov/content/pdf/Intercountry_Adoption_From_A_Z.pdf
Contact The Adoption Law Firm today for more information.
