Adoption Law

For prospective U.S. parents adopting children from other countries, intercountry adoptions are governed by the laws of the United States as well as the laws of the country where the child resides.  The Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption is an international agreement which may also impact adoptions between member countries.

Bureau of Consular Affairs - U.S. Department of State - Provides extensive resources explaining intercountry adoptions and the Hague Convention.

• The Adoption Process
• Understanding the Hague Convention
• Non-Hague Adoption Process
• Immigrant Visa Process - Instructions on obtaining a visa for prospective children.
• Universal Accreditation Act of 2012
• Statistics
• News and Publications

Foreign and International Law Sources

HeinOnline:

• United Nations Law Collection

• Foreign & International Law Resources Database, includes both primary and secondary sources, such as the publications of the American Society of International Law (ASIL), International Tribunal/Judicial Decisions and Hague Permanent Court of International Justice.

Other Databases:

• The Law Library of Congress:  Nations Research
• U.S. Department of State - Learn About a Country
• United Nations
• U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child
• vLex

Sources of Information on the Hague

• HCCH - The Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Understanding the Hague Convention
• Non-Hague Adoption Process
• United Nations Law Collection