The Hague Process for international adoption

Many Miami families go through the international adoption process each year with the hope of bringing home an addition to the family. In terms of the law governing international adoptions in particular, the Hague Process offers important safeguards to protect birth families, adoptive families and the children. All U.S. adoptions involving children from foreign countries must follow the Hague process.

There are several steps to The Hague Process of adoption. First, a family should choose an accredited adoption agency and attorney. A home study is then completed to review the fitness of the family.

After the home study is completed, the family must apply to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. When the application is approved by the USCIS, the family works with the adoption agency to obtain a proposed adoption placement.

The family will then submit a petition to the USCIS to have the child eligible to immigrate to the U.S. The child will then be adopted, or custody will be obtained in the U.S. An immigrant visa should then be obtained for the child so that the child is able to enter the United States to complete the adoption.

Adopting a child is an exciting time in a family’s life. A legal professional skilled in the international adoption process can help streamline the process. They can make sure a family understands how the process works and can keep the family updated on the adoption process. An attorney understands that this is one of the most important parts of a family’s life and wants to make the process as joyous and efficient as possible.

Source: USCIS.gov, “Hague Process,” accessed on Dec. 24, 2017