On April 1, 2008, the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption took effect in the United States. Under this treaty, only U.S. agencies that are “Hague accredited” can place children for adoption from other countries that have signed the treaty. You must choose a Hague-accredited agency, like WACAP, in order to adopt internationally from these countries.

Now that the treaty is in effect, all adoptions of children from China, India, and Thailand are considered “convention adoptions” and managed through the Hague process. To adopt from these countries, you must adopt through a Hague-accredited agency.

If you’re thinking about adopting from a country that hasn’t signed the Hague Convention, it is still highly recommended that you use a Hague-accredited agency, like WACAP, to ensure that you receive the highest standard of service. When WACAP performs adoptions in non-Hague countries—Russia, Ethiopia, Korea, Vietnam and Kazakhstan—we apply the same commitment to ethics and quality that have earned us a Hague accreditation. As always, WACAP will guide you each step of the way.

For convention adoptions, your homestudy and homestudy agency must also meet certain standards under the Hague Convention. After you apply to WACAP, we'll make certain that these and all other requirements are met. If you have any questions about the Hague Convention, please feel free to call us at 206-575-4550 or contact us by e-mail.

The Hague Conference on International Private Law is a global, intergovernmental organization that develops multilateral agreements to respond to global needs. In 1993, the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption was completed. Its objectives are to establish safeguards in international adoption to ensure that international adoptions are completed legally, ethically and in the best interest of the child. Over 70 countries have signed this convention, including the United States.