Latvia and the Hague Convention

The building of the Brotherhood of Blackheads is one of the most iconic buildings of Old Riga.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Latvia is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Intercountry adoption processing in Hague countries is done in accordance with the requirements of the Convention; the U.S. implementing legislation, the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (IAA); and the IAA’s implementing regulations, as well as the implementing legislation and regulations of Latvia.

Latvia is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Therefore, all adoptions between Latvia and the United States must meet the requirements of the Convention; the U.S. implementing legislation, the Intercountry Act of 2000 (IAA); and the IAA implementing regulations.

General public concern regarding adoption of Latvian children by foreigners contributes to reluctance to reform intercountry adoption procedures, which currently require several extended trips by adoptive parents to Latvia to complete the requirements. In addition, the Latvian government has announced that it will approve applications for intercountry adoption only if the adoptive parents file to adopt a sibling group of three or more children; a child over age 9; a child with severe health problems; or a child released for intercountry adoption because he or she has not been adopted by Latvians.

NOTE: Special transition provisions apply to adoptions initiated before April 1, 2008. Read about Transition Cases.

U.S. IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTIONS

To bring an adopted child to the United States from Latvia, you must meet eligibility and suitability requirements. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) determines who can adopt under U.S. immigration law.

Additionally, a child must meet the definition of Convention adoptee under U.S. law in order to immigrate to the United States on an IH-3 or IH-4 immigrant visa.

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