Number: RS21671
Title: Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption: Status and Recent Developments
Authors: Douglas Reid Weimer, American Law Division 
Abstract: On April 1, 2008, the United States became a full member of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption (hereinafter "Convention"),1 and the Convention entered into force in the United States. As a result, the Convention now governs intercountry adoptions between the United States and other Convention member countries in accordance with the provisions of the Intercountry Adoption Act (IAA).2 In order to comply with the Convention membership requirements, the United States had signed the Convention, the Senate had given its advice and consent to the ratification of the Convention, and Congress had approved legislation (the IAA) for the implementation of the Convention. In addition, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) had a number of duties and responsibilities, summarized below, which were required to be completed prior to the formal ratification and the entry into force of the Convention.
Pages: 5
Date: April 30, 2008