Adoptions from the United States

Adoptions from the United States

The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention) governs adoptions from the United States to other Convention countries – not just adoptions to the United States.  Adoptions from the United States are often referred to as outgoing cases. 

Only accredited, approved, supervised, or exempt providers can provide an adoption service in an outgoing Convention case.  An outgoing Convention adoption case occurs when:

·         There is an adoption of a child resident in the United States by someone residing in a Convention country; and

·         In connection with the adoption, the child has moved (or will move) from the United States to the Convention country.

In outgoing cases, the final adoption decree may be issued in the United States, or custody for the purpose of adoption in the other Convention country may be granted.  Both final adoption cases and custody for the purpose of adoption cases can be Convention adoption cases.

Efforts to Find a Domestic Placement
Reasonable efforts must be made to actively recruit and make a diligent search for prospective adoptive parents in the United States before an outgoing adoption of a child can be approved.  Exceptions can be made to this rule if birth parents have identified the prospective adoptive parent(s), but only if an adoption service provider or its agents have not assisted the birth parents in identifying the prospective adoptive parent(s). 

Only outgoing adoptions to Convention countries are covered by the Convention and its implementing regulations.   However, new reporting requirements (in 22 CFR Part 99) apply to outgoing cases to both Convention and non-Convention countries. 

More Information
Outgoing Cases Guide

FAQ: On Outgoing/Emigrating Convention Cases for U.S. Citizens Residing Abroad

Web-Guide for State Authorities on Outgoing Adoption Cases