Adopt a Child from Another Country

Reaching out and providing a child with a home is one of the most rewarding and challenging things a family can do.

Most inter-country adoptions are completed through a licensed adoption agency in B.C. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada makes the final decision about whether a child is allowed to enter the country.

Efforts are made to record medical and family information about the pre­-adoption family and any other background material that children will find useful as they grow up.

Laws & Requirements for International Adoptions

Canada has ratified the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-Country Adoption. This means that international laws apply to ensure safeguards and standards are in place with respect to the protection of children being adopted. 

The Hague Convention guidelines govern adoption processes in some countries to protect adopted children and adoptive families. Both Hague Convention adoptions and non­-Hague Convention adoptions are carried out by a licensed adoption agency.

• Learn more about the Hague Convention
• Hague Convention adoptions (PDF)

Non-­Hague Convention adoptions: Adoptions between Canada and countries that have not ratified the Hague Convention lack the assurances of Hague Convention adoptions. The adoption agency will help prospective parents to comply with necessary requirements.

BC-Japan Adoption Program

The suspension of the BC-Japan Adoption Program was lifted on May 13, 2019.

Learn about specific non-Hague Convention adoption situations:

• Intercountry Adoption Factsheet 1 (PDF)
• Intercountry Adoption Factsheet 2 (PDF)
• Intercountry Adoption Factsheet 3 (PDF)
• Intercountry adoption Factsheet 4 (PDF)

Countries with suspensions or restrictions on international adoptions: Not all countries allow international adoptions.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada provides information about these countries:

• Countries with suspensions or restrictions