International adoptions through the Hague Convention

Published Wednesday, December 9, 2009

A recent development in international adoption which changed the process of international adoption in many countries is the Hague Convention which was entered into force in the United States on April 1, 2008. The Hague Convention will only effect international adoptions if the child's country of origin is also a signatory. Under the Hague Convention, both the country of origin and the receiving country must meet specified requirements. The country of origin must determine whether the child is adoptable, whether adoption is in the child's best interests, and if consent has been obtained from the necessary parties. The receiving country must determine whether the prospective adoptive parents are eligible and suitable to adopt, whether they have been counseled on international adoption and whether the child is eligible to become a citizen.