Who Can Adopt from Italy
Adoption between the United States and Italy is governed by the Hague Adoption Convention. Therefore to adopt from Italy, 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, Italy also has the following requirements for prospective adoptive parents:
Residency
Prospective adoptive parents must legally reside in Italy.
Age of Adopting Parents
Adoptive parents must be at least eighteen years old and no more than forty-five years over the age of the adoptee.
Marriage
Only married couples may adopt. The couple must have been married for at least three years (without separation during the three-year period prior to the adoption) and must reside in Italy. Single persons can only adopt in very limited circumstances.
Income
N/A
Other
Same-sex couples cannot adopt in Italy.
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