The Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption is an international agreement between participating countries on best adoption procedures. These procedures have basically two goals in mind:
- The best interest of children is considered with each inter-country adoption.
- The prevention of abduction, exploitation, sale, or trafficking of children.
Part of the Convention’s guidelines ensures that one Central Authority is in place in each country so adoptive parents get the most accurate information regarding adoption and also to prevent fraud and illegal adoptions. The Department of State through the National Benefit Center (NBC) is the U.S. Central Authority for the Convention.
The United States implemented the Hague Convention on April 1st, 2008.
There are over 70 countries that have joined the Convention. The immigration adoption process and the Home Study requirements for these countries are very different from the rest of the countries. Therefore, it is imperative for you to
- 1. Know if you are adopting from a Hague country
- 2. Have a thorough understanding of the Hague Convention
- 3. Meet additional Hague requirements.
New Immigration Process
All Hague cases initiated after April 1st, 2008 (or any case with an I171h expired) need a new immigration form, the I800A. This form is specific to Hague countries and it is processed by the National Benefit Center in Chicago. A form I800A can only be filed with NBC with a completed Hague compliant Home Study.
Current I800A processing time is approximately of 90 days. Please plan accordingly.
Additional Home Study Requirements
Before we are able to start your Home Study, a contract between AI and your placing agency needs to be signed. Please make sure the contract is forwarded to us right away or please make sure to provide us with your contact’s person information so we may request the contract.
- You will need to complete 10 hours of education in 11 specific topics. (Please refer to training chart for specific information)
- Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs) and all adults over the age of 18 residing at the PAPs home must obtain child abuse clearances from ALL the countries and states where they have resided since their 18th birthday. Therefore, it is important that you begin working on this requirement ASAP.
- Financial section needs to be more thorough. You will need to provide us with financial information that includes all assets as well as all debt and monthly expenses.
- Your Home Study must state that you have comprehensive health insurance coverage that will cover any pre-existent conditions of your child upon placement. Make sure to provide us with a copy of your health insurance card and the section of your policy that specifies information about newborns’ or adopted children’s coverage.
- Your Home Study must state that you meet the foreign country’s requirements. Therefore, you will need to provide us with a complete list of foreign country’s requirements. Please contact your placing agency to request this information.
Our International Adoption Specialists will be happy to answer any questions or concerns. Please contact our office at 415.934.0300 or at adopt@adoptinter.org if you need help. Thank you again for allowing us to assist you in this amazing journey.