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Intercountry Adoption in Canada

Intercountry adoption (also called international adoption) is a process that recognizes an individual or couple as the legal and permanent parent(s) of a child from another country.

Alerts

Canada-wide adoption suspensions: Intercountry adoptions from the following countries are currently suspended by all Canadian provinces and territories:

  • Cambodia
  • Georgia
  • Guatemala
  • Liberia
  • Nepal

Notices

Provincial/territorial adoption suspensions: Intercountry adoptions from the following countries are currently suspended by the indicated provinces and territories:

  • Haiti – British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec and Saskatchewan

For more information, please consult the adoption authority in your province or territory:

Looking to adopt?

Intercountry adoption is regulated under provincial, territorial and foreign adoption laws. In Canada, adoption eligibility is determined by the provinces and territories. Either the provinces and territories or licensed adoption agencies carry out adoption case management. For information on the intercountry adoption process, please contact your provincial or territorial adoption authority: Adoption Authorities – Provincial / Territorial Governments.

Visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada for information on how to bring your adopted child to Canada: International adoption.

For travel advisories and tips, see Travel Reports and Warnings.

Other federal departments—the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and the Department of Justice—are involved in intercountry adoption. For more information, see Adoption Information – Federal Government Departments.

What is HRSDC’s role in intercountry adoptions?

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) is the federal department responsible for intercountry adoption issues at the national and international levels.

Intercountry Adoption Services (IAS), a unit within HRSDC, works directly with the provinces and territories to provide information and guidance. However, the provinces and territories make the decisions regarding eligibility and assist Canadians in their efforts to adopt.

IAS’s role in intercountry adoption includes:

  • developing pan-Canadian responses on issues such as unethical and irregular adoption practices and child trafficking;
  • acting as a central database on adoption legislation, policies and practices of “sending” countries, research, data and statistics; and,
  • encouraging communications and continually building on working relationships with provincial and territorial, federal, and foreign government counterparts in the adoption community.

IAS, within HRSDC, is also the federal Central Authority for Canada under the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. The Government of Canada ratified the Hague Convention in December 1996.

What is the Hague Convention?

The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption is an international agreement that encourages participating countries to comply with international adoption standards in the best interests of the child. The Hague Convention is also structured to strengthen adoption practices to prevent the abduction, sale or trafficking of children. Birth families and adoptive families are safeguarded as well, although the Hague Convention’s primary focus is to protect the rights and interests of children.

Research and agreements

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Date Modified:
2011-08-24