International adoption: Learn about the Hague Convention

Since 1993, Canada has been a partner in the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoptions. The Convention was written to help countries regulate international adoptions. All of Canada’s provinces and territories, which are the main authorities for the adoption process in Canada, follow the Hague Convention.

The Hague Convention’s main goals are to:

• protect the best interests of adopted children;
• standardize processes between countries; and
• prevent child abuse, such as trafficking in children.

What you need to know about the Hague Convention

• If the child you want to adopt comes from one of the countries that follow the Hague Convention, the adoption must follow the Convention’s rules. Canada and all its provinces and territories follow the Convention. Check the list of other countries in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
• The adoption authorities in your province or territory will explain the rules of the Hague Convention to you.
• Before a child can be adopted from one country to live in another, the Convention requires that the governments in both countries agree to proceed with the adoption.
• Canada does not allow adoptions that are arranged privately if the child’s home country follows the Hague Convention

Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) works with foreign governments, other federal government departments, and the provinces and territories to coordinate the adoption process. You can find contact information about Intercountry Adoption Services in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

Related Links

• Hague Convention on Private International Law
• International adoption authorities in Canada
• HRSDC Intercountry Adoption Services