Hague Regulations

Another week gone, nothing new to report. We did get a response from our agency and our case worker said that she sent the final revisions for the home study to our social worker. Apparently, one of the biggest problems in getting the home study finalized is the new Hague requirements. Apparently, there is an issue with our social worker and her non-profit status (she is based in Alabama and our agency is based in Texas). Regardless, it has been more than 12 weeks and we still don't have our home study. I think (and hope!!) the last form (the one from Homeland Security) will be easier than dealing with these home study requirements!!

I have had a couple of people ask about what Hague is-- so I thought this would be a good time to share.

Question: What Is the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption?

Answer: The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption is an international agreement between participating countries on best adoption procedures. These procedures have basically two goals in mind: 1) The best interest of children are considered with each intercountry adoption. 2.) The prevention of abduction, exploitation, sale, or trafficking of children.

The guidelines and procedures that are set forth in the Hague Convention are also for the protection of birth families, as well as adoptive families. Part of the Convention's guidelines ensures that one Central Authority is in place in each country so that adoptive parents get the most accurate information regarding adoption. The Department of State is the U.S. Central Authority for the Convention. According to the State Department's Web site, implementing the principles of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption is the State Department's top priority at this time.

History of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption--- The Hague Convention on Private International Law has been around since 1893, but the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption was completed for comments by member countries on May 29, 1993.

The United States signed the Convention on March 31, 1994. In 1998, President Clinton sent the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoptions to the U.S. Senate for ratification. In 2000, both Houses of Congress passed bills for implementation of the Convention, the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (the IAA), Public Law 106-279. President Clinton signed the IAA into law on October 6, 2000. The United States ratified the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption on December 12, 2007 in the Netherlands. The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption entered into force for the United States on April 1, 2008. This means that private adoption service providers will need to be accredited, temporarily accredited, or approved, supervised by a provider that is accredited, temporarily accredited, or approved, in order to provide adoption services involving the U.S. and another Convention country.