International Adoption Process

International adoption (also called inter-country adoption) is a process that recognizes an individual or couple as the legal and permanent parent(s) of a child from another country. An international adoption complies with the laws of both the sending and receiving countries.

1. Adoption process

To adopt internationally you must work with your provincial or territorial adoption Central Authority. The provincial or territorial adoption Central Authority will:

• Tell You If You Need to Contact a Licensed Adoption Agency.
• Advise on the Adoptions Laws of the country from where you want to adopt.
• Explain The Requirement of The Hague Convention on Inter-Country Adoptions.

To be eligible to adopt a child, you must meet the adoption requirements of the Canadian province/territory where you live, the country where you live if you are living abroad, and the adoption authority of the country where the child lives.

2. The Immigration or Citizenship process

To bring your adopted child into Canada, it is necessary to apply for Citizenship or Immigration (Permanent Residency) for the child.

Note: Some countries require that the adoption be completed in Canada. In these cases, the Immigration (Permanent Resident) process should be used.

1. On arrival in Canada as a permanent resident, your adopted child will be entitled to:
2. Work, Study and Live in Canada
3. Apply For Canadian Citizenship
4. Apply For a Canadian Passport, Once He/She Becomes a Canadian Citizen
5. Government-Subsidized Education Programs
6. Attend Language Programs
7. Health Benefits
8. All Government-Subsidized Benefits

3. What is the cost to adopt?

Answer - The cost of adoption depends on a few variables: the type of adoption you undertake, whether you work with an agency, the province you reside in, and any associated travel costs. It costs very little to adopt through the public child welfare system in Canada.

• Range of Adoption Costs Public (foster care): $0 - $3,000
• Licensed Private Agency: $10,000 - $20,000
• International: $20,000 - $30,000

4. What are the different types of adoption?

Answer - There are five main categories of adoption.

1. Adopting an infant, child, or youth from the Canadian child welfare system (Public)
2. Adopting an infant or child (Private)
3. Adopting a child from another country (International)
4. Adopting a stepchild/children
5. Adopting a birth relative (Kinship adoption)