What is the first step to adopting intercountry
The initial stage for this process is to contact your local area Health Service Executive office or Adoption Society. It could take a number of years before your application is processed, depending on waiting times in your area. Therefore it is advisable to contact the HSE/Adoption Society as soon as possible.
Am I eligible and suitable to adopt?
Persons resident in Ireland who wish to adopt a child from abroad are required to have their eligibility and suitability established by their local Health Service Executive office/ Adoption Society prior to adopting.
Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for adoption are provided for under the Adoption Acts 1952-1998. In order to be eligible to adopt you must fall into one of the following categories:
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You are a married couple living together. This is the only circumstance where the law permits the adoption of a child by more than one person; |
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You are a married person living alone. In this circumstance the spouse consent to the adoption must be obtained, unless they are living apart and are separated under (i) a court decree, (ii) a deed of separation, (iii) the spouse has deserted the prospective adopter or (iv) conduct on the part of the spouse results in the prospective adopter, with just cause, leaving the spouse and living apart; |
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You are the mother, father or a relative of the child (relative meaning a grandparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt of the child and/or the spouse of any such person, the relationship to the child being traced through the mother or the father); |
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You are a widow/widower; |
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You are a sole applicant not covered in any of the categories above and the Adoption Board is satisfied that, in the particular circumstances of the case, it is desirable to grant an order. |
There is also a minimum age limit for adoption. You must be at least 21 years of age if the child is not a relative. If the child is to be adopted by the natural father or mother, or a relative of the child, only one of you must have attained the age of 21. As regards residency, you must be ordinarily resident in the State and must have resided in the State for at least one year before the date of the making of the Adoption Order.
Suitability
Suitability assessments may only be carried out by the Health Service Executive/ Adoption Society. In accordance with section 8(1) of the Adoption Act, 1991 a Health Board (H.S.E.) must carry out assessments for persons ordinarily resident in its functional area. Registered Adoption Societies may carry out assessments on behalf of Health Boards or at the request of those wishing to adopt abroad but are not obliged to do so.
In assessing your suitability regard shall be had to the following standards:
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The capacity to safeguard the child throughout his or her childhood; |
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The capacity to provide the child with family life that will promote his or her development and well being and have due regard to the physical, emotional, social, health, educational, cultural, and spiritual and other dimensions. The resources that families can draw on will vary from family to family and may change over time. - Whatever circumstances the family find themselves in, the applicant/s will be able to demonstrate their understanding of the importance of maintaining an on-going and meaningful relationship with their child; |
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The capacity to provide an environment where the childs original nationality, race, culture, language and religion will be valued and appropriately promoted throughout childhood. This will include the capacity of the parent/s to recognise the differences between themselves and their child within these areas and to recognise and try to combat racism and other institutional and personal oppressive forces within society; |
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The capacity to recognise and understand the impact of being an adopted child from an overseas country on the development of the childs identity throughout their childhood and beyond; |
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The capacity to recognise the need for and to arrange for appropriate support and intervention from health, social services, educational, and other services throughout childhood. |
Why does it take so long to complete the adoption process and why does it require so much paperwork?
Adoption laws are in place to protect both the child and the family. There is no room for exceptions when it comes to the adoption of a child. All legal matters are to be followed according to the law of the country you are adopting from. There are two governments involved in the adoption of your child. Many times there is an additional provincial authority that is also involved and this may add to the wait and paperwork. It is essential that all legal requirements are met and that both laws are adhered to in order to safeguard the adoption order.
Why don’t the overseas authorities try to speed up the overseas process?
Overseas governments are concerned about the safety of their children and would prefer the children to be reunited with their birth families or adopted domestically in their own country. However this is not often possible. Sometimes it is an embarrassment for countries to open their social care centres, hospitals and institution doors to foreigners to judge their ideas and reasoning behind socialised institutional settings and childcare. To guarantee that the placement is the right choice for the child there is a lengthy process to ensure the child is eligible for intercountry adoption, and it is vital that all legal requirements have been met. |
