What is the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption?
In May 1993, 66 countries, including the United States, reached an agreement establishing a cooperative framework between the countries of origin of children in need of adoption and their receiving countries to ensure that the child’s best interests are safeguarded. The Convention’s objective was to prevent abuses such as the abduction or sale of, or the trafficking in, children or any other improper financial gains. It also sought to ensure proper consent to the adoption, allowed for the child’s transfer, and established the adopted child’s status in the receiving country. The Convention set minimum international standards and procedures for adoptions that occur between countries which have implemented the Convention. In the case of adoptions taking place between countries that have implemented it, the Convention ensures greater protection from exploitation for children, birth parents and adoptive parents alike. Not every signatory country has yet implemented the agreement. Which Coun
