Deciding to adopt a child from abroad is not a decision which should be taken lightly. There are a number of factors a prospective adoptive parent(s) might consider before proceeding.

Information about the process

Prospective adoptive parents can learn more about the laws and procedures in a specific country by reviewing our country information pages. These pages offer an overview of the process and contain notices and alerts on the current situation within a given country.

Immigration Requirements

The adoption of a foreign-born child does not automatically guarantee the child's eligibility to immigrate to the United States. It is imperative that all adoptive parents are aware of U.S. immigration law and legal regulatory procedures. For more information about immigration to the U.S., please visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website for more information.

Contact with Birth Parents

The Hague Adoption Convention generally forbids prospective adoptive parents from having any contact with the child's birth parents, and/or the child's legal guardians before the country of birth determines the child is adoptable according to Convention principles and refers the child for adoption to a family.

Some additional resources

• FAQ: Adoption of Children from Countries in which Islamic Shari'a Law is Observed
• Adopting a Relative for Immigration to the United States