Who can adopt? Some General Adoption Requirements:

There are many requirements, rules and regulations governing adoption, all created for the protection of children and adoptive applicants. Requirements vary greatly by adoption agency, state, and international programs. These are only guidelines, not absolutes! Please check with multiple agencies to determine the best choice for you based on your life experience. Many agencies create their own policies which are not always those of the adoptive country. Be honest and open about yourselves from the beginning so that your agency can best assist you early in the process rather than having to deny you once you have committed your time, energy and money to the adoption. Remember, these are average guidelines and many are flexible:

• Minimum age of 25 for international adoption, maximum age of 50 for infant adoptions. Individuals over 50 may adopt, typically older children.

• Must meet US Poverty Guidelines for international adoption. Published annually by the USCIS.

• If married, should be married at least two years or more (varies by country)

• Single heterosexual woman (and some men) may adopt in the US and abroad (select countries).

• Criminal background such as multiple DUI/DWI, felony, murder, acts of violence or crimes against children, etc. will prohibit you from adopting. A fingerprint based state and FBI clearance is required of all adoptive applicants.

• Past history long ago of drug or alcohol experimentation or abuse does not always prohibit you from adopting depending on several factors. A substance abuse evaluation may be required as part of the home study process. Eastern European countries will deny your application.

• History of severe depression with hospitalization, medications for depression/bi-polar/schizophrenia, etc. may prohibit you from adopting in the majority of international countries but not all. Domestic adoption on a case by case basis. Eastern European countries will deny your application.

• Previous divorce(s) usually accepted.

• All religions typically accepted. Some orphanages in some countries require a statement of Christian faith. Varies by country and orphanage.

• Three or more children in the home considered on a case by case basis in select countries. Some countries have no limitations on the number of children in the home, but may require a certain number of years between the children.

Hague Intercountry Adoption Convention Enters into Force

On April 1, 2008, the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (the Convention) entered into force for the United States. As of this date, the provisions of the Convention will govern both immigrating (incoming) and emigrating (outgoing) intercountry adoptions between the United States and other Convention countries.

A Love Beyond Borders (LBB) is proud to announce that effective November 22, 2011 our agency received Hague Approval (under the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoptions) by the State of Colorado’s Department of Human Services (CDHS). CDHS and COA are the only two nationally approved accrediting entities appointed by the US Department of State. LBB is approved for four years, at which point we will seek renewal.

HAGUE CONVENTION FAQS:

Q: Why is the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect to Intercountry Adoption important?
A: The Convention strengthens protections for children, birthparents, and prospective adoptive parent(s). It strives to provide children with permanent, loving homes by setting out internationally agreed-upon rules and procedures for adoptions between countries that have a treaty relationship under the Convention. It ultimately provides a framework for member-countries to work together to ensure that adoptions take place in the best interests of a childand to prevent the abduction, the sale of, or the traffic in children. The Convention also establishes a Central Authority in each country to ensure that one authoritative source of information and point of contact exists for prospective adoptive parents to receive reliable and accurate information. For these reasons, the US Department of State strongly supports the Principles of the Convention.

Q: Why choose to work with an agency that is accredited in the United States?
A: Because only those adoption service providers -- such as A Love Beyond Borders --who been approved or accredited by either COA or CDHS are able to provide adoption services for Hague adoption cases in countries that are also parties to the Hague Convention. This includes but is not limited to countries such as Colombia, Bulgaria, Poland, Vietnam, etc. Acomplete list of Hague Convention countries may be accessed here.

For more information on the Convention’s implementation in the United States, please visit the “Intercountry Adoption” section of their website. or click here for an informative guide for adoptive parents