USCIS Strengthens Intercountry Adoption Process

Children, birthparents and prospective adoptive parent(s) will have greater protections under the Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention), effective April 1, 2008. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will create new forms and improved, centralized examination processes for adoption applications and petitions.

The international treaty among Convention member countries provides a framework to ensure certain intercountry adoption protections: providing adoptees with permanent and loving homes; looking after children's best interests throughout the process; and preventing the abduction, sale or illegal traffic of children.

Prospective adoptive parents are encouraged to visit and download the forms and filing instructions and Hague Adoption Convention Fact Sheet, available on the Internet at www.uscis.gov. 




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