Who can adopt? Some General Adoption Requirements:

There are many requirements, rules and regulations governing adoption, all created for the protection of children and adoptive applicants. Requirements vary greatly by adoption agency, state, and international programs. These are only guidelines, not absolutes! Please check with multiple agencies to determine the best choice for you based on your life experience. Many agencies create their own policies which are not always those of the adoptive country. Be honest and open about yourselves from the beginning so that your agency can best assist you early in the process rather than having to deny you once you have committed your time, energy and money to the adoption. Remember, these are average guidelines and many are flexible:

• Minimum age of 25 for international adoption, maximum age of 50 for infant adoptions. Individuals over 50 may adopt, typically older children.

• Must meet US Poverty Guidelines for international adoption. Published annually by the USCIS.

• If married, should be married at least two years or more (varies by country)

• Single heterosexual woman (and some men) may adopt in the US and abroad (select countries)

• Criminal background such as multiple DUI/DWI, felony, murder, acts of violence or crimes against children, etc. will prohibit you from adopting. A fingerprint based state and FBI clearance is required of all adoptive applicants.

• Past history long ago of drug or alcohol experimentation or abuse does not always prohibit you from adopting depending on several factors. A substance abuse evaluation may be required as part of the home study process. Eastern European countries will deny your application.

• History of severe depression with hospitalization, medications for depression/bi-polar/schizophrenia, etc. may prohibit you from adopting in the majority of international countries but not all. Domestic adoption on a case by case basis. Eastern European countries will deny your application.

• Previous divorce(s) usually accepted.

• All religions typically accepted.

• Three or more children in the home considered on a case by case basis in select countries. Some countries have no limitations on the number of children in the home, but may require a certain number of years between the children.

Hague Intercountry Adoption Convention Enters into Force

On April 1, 2008, the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (the Convention) enters into force for the United States. As of this date, the provisions of the Convention will govern both immigrating (incoming) and emigrating (outgoing) intercountry adoptions between the United States and other Convention countries.

Implementing the Convention and the IAA has led to many changes in the U.S. intercountry adoption process. Some of these key changes are:

1. Federal accreditation, through accrediting entities designated by the Department, of adoption service providers who provide certain key adoption services in connection with Convention adoption cases.

2. The replacement of the Department of Homeland Security petition forms I-600A and I-600 for orphans with new forms I-800A and I-800 for “Convention adoptees.”

3. New documents will be issued by consular officers overseas in Convention cases stating that the requirements of the Convention and the IAA have been met for an adoption or custody declaration completed overseas. These are the Hague Adoption Certificate (HAC) or Hague Custody Certificate (HCC), which will accompany the IH-3 or IH-4 immigrant visa.

4. For the outgoing adoption or custody declaration completed in the United States, the Department will issue the HAC or Hague Custody Declaration (HCD) stating that the requirements of the Convention and the IAA have been met.

5. The creation of the Adoption Tracking Service (ATS) through which the Department will track both incoming and outgoing cases. For the first time, it will be possible to track the cases of American children who are adopted by citizens of other (Hague) countries. Previously there was no federal role in these cases, and no system for collecting information from the various states about the numbers and destinations of American children adopted abroad.

6. The creation of a Hague Complaint Registry to track public complaints related to intercountry adoptions.

For more information on the Convention’s implementation in the United States, please visit the “Intercountry Adoption” section of their website. or click here for an informative guide for adoptive parents

A Love Beyond Borders is seeking Hague Accreditation in 2008. Once we receive accreditation we will offer a greater selection of international adoption options. Please check back with us as we unveil our new programs throughout 2008.