How to Adopt a Child
The forms and information on this site do not apply if the child was born in another country.
There are very specific steps under the “Hague Convention” that must be followed if a child was born outside the US for the adoption to be valid under immigration law. Adopting a child born outside the US without following the Hague requirements can delay, prevent, or complicate the child’s ability to obtain lawful US immigration status or become a US citizen.
You should contact an immigration attorney for advice before filing anything if the child was born outside the US.
The Adoption Hearing & After
The adoptive parents and children will have to attend a court hearing so the judge can finalize the adoption. There are also important final steps to take to get the child's birth certificate updated once the adoption is complete. Visit this page to learn more about the hearing, how to prepare for the hearing, and important steps to take after the hearing.
