Can I adopt from abroad?
Thinking about adopting a child from another country.
Did you know?
There are currently over 4,000 children in the UK waiting for a new family, either through adoption or permanent (long-term) fostering. Why not look at some of our children's profiles now?
If you think you could offer one of these children a permanent family, why not find out more about adoption or fostering, and maybe contact an agency? You might also find our articles about adoption and fostering useful.
Adopting from abroad
Contrary to popular belief, adopting from abroad is not necessarily a quicker or easier route to adoption. You will have to pay the relevant fees to the agency, which can be over £6,000, and possibly a fee to the authorities in the child’s country of origin. The process can take between one to three years.
If you are still considering adopting a child from another country, you will need to be approved for intercountry adoption by a UK adoption agency that is registered to carry out intercountry adoption assessments. You can apply to either your local council (health and social services trust in Northern Ireland) or to a voluntary adoption agency that is approved to assess intercountry adopters. The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) will process your application and issue a certificate of eligibility if you are approved.
Note: It is against the law to bring a child who is not a resident of this country to the UK for adoption if you have not been approved by a UK adoption agency.
For more information see:
Last updated: 03 February 10
