International Adoption Laws

If you are considering adopting a child from another country it is important to understand how these laws may affect you.

The Hague convention established safeguards to ensure that intercountry adoptions take place in the best interests of the child and with respect for his or her fundamental rights as recognized in international law.  The U.S. is a signotory so the Hague does apply to all U.S. adopting families.

Child Citizenship Act of 2000 (PL 106-395) is a very important Act that amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to confer United States citizenship automatically and retroactively to certain foreign-born children adopted by citizens of the United States. Persons involved in international adoption should be aware of this Act.

TheIntercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-279) is designed to provide for implementation by the United States of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect to Intercountry Adoption.