Advertisements

Who Can Adopt from Netherlands

Dutch Tulips, Keukenhof Gardens.
Source: flickr.com.

Adoption between the United States and the Netherlands is governed by the Hague Adoption Convention. Therefore to adopt from the Netherlands, you must first be found eligible to adopt by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government agency responsible for making this determination is the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Learn more.


In addition to these U.S. requirements for prospective adoptive parents, the Netherlands also has the following requirements for prospective adoptive parents:

Residency

Prospective adoptive parents in the Netherlands must have Dutch residence permits if they are not Dutch nationals, and must live in the Netherlands.

Age of Adopting Parents

Applicant(s) should be 41 years old or younger upon registration, although certain exceptions may be allowed up to age 44. Applicants must undergo health assessments, give permission for review of their judicial/police records, agree to obtain all required medical care and vaccinations for the child, and provide a surety for all costs related to the child and the adoption.

Marriage

Individuals, persons living together, and married couples may start an adoption procedure. Adopting a child jointly is only possible for married couples; it is not possible for persons living together and persons in registered partnerships. Although the Netherlands is a jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex marriages, adoptions by married same-sex couples are considered, by law, to be single-parent adoptions.

Income

None.

Other

The age difference between the oldest parent and the child may at the time of the proposal not be more than forty years. Applicant must vouch for all costs involved in raising and caring for the child.

Back to Adopting from Netherlands