HAGUE Adoptions
Adopt Abroad is a fully HAGUE ACCREDITED adoption agency. We are proud to say that we have been Hague accredited since 2008, when the U.S. enacted the Hague treaty.
The Hague accreditation is required to conduct adoption services in other Hague countries. The accreditation process is quite intensive. It ensures that you, the adoptive family, are working with an agency that has been screened and works to the highest standards set for U.S. adoption agencies. Adopt Abroad is one of only 179 U.S. agencies that have received this accreditation. Currently there are 88 countries worldwide that are signees to the Convention.
WHAT DOES THE HAGUE TREATY DO?
The Hague Convention on the Protection of Children is an international treaty that addresses issues related to international adoption. The convention became effective on May 1, 1995 and the U.S.A ratified the treaty on April 1, 2008.
The Hague treaty addresses issues associated with international adoption to include safeguards against child trafficking. The principal features of the Hague Treaty are:
- Adoptions take place according to the best interests of the child.
- The primary goal is to have a child raised by their birth parents, or country of origin, in cases where this is not possible, then adoption is a viable alternative.
- The member states work together to ensure the protection of children.
- Adoption decrees from Hague countries are automatically recognized.
- Each member state has a Central Authority which oversees the adoption process.
HAGUE ADOPTION PROVIDERS
In the USA Hague adoptions only take place through an Accredited Service Provider, such as Adopt Abroad, Inc. Adoption agencies that provide any one of the six adoption services for a Hague Convention country must be Hague Accredited
- Identifying a child for adoption and arranging an adoption
- Securing consent to termination of parental rights and to adoption
- Performing an adoptive home study or a background study and report on a child
- Making a non-judicial determination of a child's best interests and of the appropriateness of an adoptive placement
- Monitoring a case after a child has been placed with prospective adoption parent(s) until final adoption
- Assuming custody of a child and providing childcare or any other social service when necessary because of a disruption pending alternative placement
INFORMATION OVER HAGUE ADOPTIONS AS PER THE STATE DEPT WEBSITE
For further information regarding Hague Convention adoptions, visit the U.S. State Department website at:
ACCREDITING ENTITIES
Adopt Abroad, Inc. is accredited through the Council on Accreditation. The Council on Accreditation is the agency selected by the U.S. State Department to screen and approve adoption service providers.
PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY
The Council on Accreditation (COA), a national accrediting body approved by the United States Department of State to conduct Hague accreditation and approval reviews, invites the public to provide comment on intercountry adoption service providers seeking Hague accreditation or approval or renewal of Hague accreditation or approval. You may provide comment by clicking on: www.coanet.org/public-comment
POLICIES
- AAI Policies & Practices (PDF)
- Background Application form (PDF)
- Ethical Practice (PDF)
- Grievance Policy (PDF)
- Sample Adoption Services Contract (PDF)
- International Adoption Program Overview (PDF)