| International adoption is one of the many options | | | | - Hague Process: The ASP is required to include |
| available to families and individuals seeking to adopt. | | | | specific details in the adoption contract, including the |
| The process for international adoption varies from | | | | adoption policies and associated fees. |
| country to country, so it is important to decide which | | | | - Non-Hague Process: Agencies are generally not |
| country you would like to adopt a child from early on. | | | | required by law to include all policies and fees within |
| One factor that you may want to consider when | | | | an adoption contract. |
| choosing a country is whether or not the country | | | | Since all adoption agencies under the Hague |
| falls under the Hague Convention Adoption Process | | | | Convention Process are required to disclose their |
| or under the orphan adoption process (Non-Hague | | | | policies and fees within a contract, the potential |
| process). | | | | adoptive parents can be sure that they are informed |
| Adoptions from countries that follow the Hague | | | | of all of the legal details of the adoption. Countries |
| Convention process generally give the adoptive | | | | following the Non-Hague process may not fully |
| parents more legal protections than adoptions from | | | | disclose all information in their contract, which could |
| Non-Hague process countries. The comparisons below | | | | lead to later confusion and frustration about |
| outline some of the main differences between these | | | | unexpected policies and costs. |
| two processes. | | | | Know Your Adoption Laws |
| Adoption Service Provider (ASP) | | | | If you are considering international adoption, you may |
| - Hague Process: The ASP must be licensed both in | | | | want to consult with an experienced adoption lawyer. |
| your state of residence AND must also be approved | | | | A good adoption attorney can clarify any questions |
| by a U.S. Accrediting Entity under the U.S. | | | | you have about the international adoption process |
| Department of State. | | | | and provide you with sound legal advice and |
| - Non-Hague Process: The ASP must be licensed in | | | | representation in the event of an adoption dispute. |
| your state of residence. | | | | For more information on international adoption |
| The additional requirement of approval by a national | | | | procedures and protecting your parental rights, please |
| entity can give adoptive parents more assurance that | | | | visit the website of experienced Austin international |
| the adoption process will be transparent and legally | | | | adoption lawyers Slater Kennon & Jameson, LLP |
| binding. | | | | here. |
| Adoption Services Contract | | | | |