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Difference between revisions of "Adopting from Belgium"

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=Hague Convention Information=
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{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/flags/large/be-lgflag.gif|410x579px|thumb|'''The official flag.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
  
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{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/maps/be-map.gif|410x579px|thumb|'''Map.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
  
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Belgium is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption ([http://adoption.state.gov/hague_convention/overview.php Hague Adoption Convention]). Therefore all adoptions between Belgium and the United States must meet the requirements of the Convention and U.S. law implementing the Convention.  
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{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/locator/eur/be_large_locator.gif|410x579px|thumb|'''Map.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
  
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{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/TE-Collage_Brussels.png/362px-TE-Collage_Brussels.png|410x579px|thumb|'''A collage of Brussels.'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
  
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Belgium is not considered a country of origin in intercountry adoption. While legally possible, intercountry adoption of a Belgian orphan by foreigners is unlikely. No Belgian orphans have received U.S. immigrant visas in the past five fiscal years. The information provided is intended primarily to assist in extremely rare adoption cases from Belgium, including adoptions of Belgian children by relatives in the United States, as well as adoptions from third countries by Americans living in Belgium.
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{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/photo_gallery/be/images/BE_012.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''A bridge over a quite Brugge canal.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
  
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=Who Can Adopt=
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{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/photo_gallery/be/images/BE_010.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''Antwerps City Hall in the Great Market Square.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
  
  
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Adoption between the United States and Belgium is governed by the Hague Adoption Convention. Therefore to adopt from Belgium, 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). [http://adoption.state.gov/adoption_process/who.php Learn more].
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'''Notice: As of July 14, 2014, all individuals and agencies facilitating [[international]] adoptions must be in compliance with the Intercountry [[Universal Accreditation Act]].'''
  
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In addition to these U.S. requirements for prospective adoptive parents, Belgium also has the following requirements for prospective adoptive parents:
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The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice. Always seek the advice of a licensed and qualified professional. While the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.
  
  
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==Residency==
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=About Belgium=
  
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Prospective adoptive parents must be residents of Belgium to adopt.
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[[Belgium]] became independent from the [[Netherlands]] in 1830; it was occupied by [[Germany]] during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. To learn more, read [[About Belgium]].
  
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==Age of Adopting Parents==
 
  
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Minimum age to adopt is 25, and the minimum age difference between the prospective adoptive parents and the adopted child is 15 years. For the adoption of a child of the spouse/cohabiting partner, the minimum age is 18 and the minimum age difference is 10 years.
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=Hague Convention Information=
  
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==Marriage==
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[[Belgium]] is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry [[Adoption]] ([http://adoption.state.gov/hague_convention/overview.php Hague Adoption Convention]). Therefore all adoptions between [[Belgium]] and the United States must meet the requirements of the Convention and U.S. law implementing the Convention. To learn more, read about [[Belgium and the Hague Convention]].
  
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To adopt together prospective adoptive parents must be married, be legally registered as a cohabiting couple or have lived together on an ongoing basis and having an emotional commitment for at least three years.
 
  
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==Income==
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=Who Can Adopt=
  
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Income is discussed in the home study. There are no minimum requirements but the prospective adoptive parents must be able to take financial care of an adopted child .
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To learn more, read about [[Who Can Adopt from Belgium]].
  
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==Other==
 
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N/A
 
  
 
=Who Can Be Adopted=
 
=Who Can Be Adopted=
  
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Because [[Belgium]] is party to the Hague [[Adoption]] Convention, children from [[Belgium]] must meet the requirements of the Convention in order to be eligible for [[adoption]]. Read more about [[Who Can Be Adopted from Belgium]].
  
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=How to Adopt=
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For example, the Convention requires that [[Belgium]] attempt to place a child with a family in-country before determining that a child is eligible for intercountry [[adoption]]. In addition to [[Belgium]]'s requirements, a child must meet the definition of a Convention [[adoptee]] for you to bring him or her back to the United States.
  
  
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==   Adoption Authority==
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=How to Adopt=
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Read about [[How to Adopt from Belgium]].
  
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==The Process==
 
  
 
=Traveling Abroad=
 
=Traveling Abroad=
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'''Applying for Your U.S. Passport'''
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A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave [[Belgium]]. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify U.S. passports.  To learn more, read about [[Traveling Abroad in Belgium]].
  
  
 
=After Adoption=
 
=After Adoption=
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'''What resources are available to assist families after the [[adoption]]?'''
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Many [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]] find it important to find support after the [[adoption]]. Take advantage of all the resources available to your family -- whether it's another adoptive family, a support group, an advocacy organization, or your religious or community services.
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Here are some good places to start your support group search:
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[https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f_postadoption.cfm Child Welfare Information Gateway]
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[http://www.nacac.org/ North American Council on Adoptable Children]
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'''NOTE:''' Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links does not imply endorsement of contents.
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=Contact Information=
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'''U.S. Embassy in [[Belgium]]'''
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Boulevard du Regent 25
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1000 Brussels
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tel.: (02) 508-2537
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fax: (02) 513- 0409
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E-mail: uscitizenbrussels@state.gov
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Telephone: +358-9-616-25730
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'''[[Belgium]]'s [[Adoption]] Authority (ies)'''
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Residents of the Flemish-speaking part of [[Belgium]] should contact:
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'''Kind en Gezin'''
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Hallepoortlaan 27
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1060 Brussels
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tel.: (02) 533 1476
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email adoptie@kindengezin.be
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Residents of the French-speaking part of [[Belgium]] should contact:
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'''Autorité Communautaire pour l'[[Adoption]] Internationale (ACAI)'''
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Boulevard Leopold II, 44,
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1080 Brussels
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tel.: (02) 413 2726.
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Residents of the German-speaking community should contact:
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'''Ministerium der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft'''
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Zentrale Behörde der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft für Adoptionen
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Gospertstrasse 1
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B-4700 Eupen
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Fax.: +32 (87) 55 64 74
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Tel.: + 32 (87) 59 63 46
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'''Embassy of [[Belgium]]'''
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3330 Garfield Street N.W.
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[[Washington]], D.C. 20008
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tel.: (202) 333-6900
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Fax (202) 333-5457
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E-mail: washington@diplobel.org
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[[Belgium]] also has Consulates in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and [[New York]].
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'''Office of Children's Issues'''
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U.S. Department of State 
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CA/OCS/CI 
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SA-17, 9th Floor
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[[Washington]], DC 20522-1709
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Tel: 1-888-407-4747
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E-mail: AskCI@state.gov
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Internet: [http://adoption.state.gov U.S. Department of State]
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'''U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)'''
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For questions about immigration procedures, call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC)
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1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)
  
  
 
==SOURCE==
 
==SOURCE==
  
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'''Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs.  U.S. Department of State Country Information'''
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'''Intercountry [[Adoption]], Bureau of Consular Affairs.  U.S. Department of State Country Information''' adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=belgium
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[[Category: International Adoption]]

Latest revision as of 01:55, 18 February 2018

The official flag.
Source: cia.gov.

Map.
Source: cia.gov.

Map.
Source: cia.gov.

A collage of Brussels.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

A bridge over a quite Brugge canal.
Source: cia.gov.

Antwerps City Hall in the Great Market Square.
Source: cia.gov.


Notice: As of July 14, 2014, all individuals and agencies facilitating international adoptions must be in compliance with the Intercountry Universal Accreditation Act.

The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice. Always seek the advice of a licensed and qualified professional. While the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.


About Belgium

Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. To learn more, read About Belgium.


Hague Convention Information

Belgium 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 Belgium and the United States must meet the requirements of the Convention and U.S. law implementing the Convention. To learn more, read about Belgium and the Hague Convention.


Who Can Adopt

To learn more, read about Who Can Adopt from Belgium.


Who Can Be Adopted

Because Belgium is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, children from Belgium must meet the requirements of the Convention in order to be eligible for adoption. Read more about Who Can Be Adopted from Belgium.

For example, the Convention requires that Belgium attempt to place a child with a family in-country before determining that a child is eligible for intercountry adoption. In addition to Belgium's requirements, a child must meet the definition of a Convention adoptee for you to bring him or her back to the United States.


How to Adopt

Read about How to Adopt from Belgium.


Traveling Abroad

Applying for Your U.S. Passport

A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave Belgium. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify U.S. passports. To learn more, read about Traveling Abroad in Belgium.


After Adoption

What resources are available to assist families after the adoption?

Many adoptive parents find it important to find support after the adoption. Take advantage of all the resources available to your family -- whether it's another adoptive family, a support group, an advocacy organization, or your religious or community services.


Here are some good places to start your support group search:


Child Welfare Information Gateway


North American Council on Adoptable Children


NOTE: Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links does not imply endorsement of contents.


Contact Information

U.S. Embassy in Belgium

Boulevard du Regent 25 1000 Brussels tel.: (02) 508-2537 fax: (02) 513- 0409 E-mail: uscitizenbrussels@state.gov Telephone: +358-9-616-25730


Belgium's Adoption Authority (ies)

Residents of the Flemish-speaking part of Belgium should contact:

Kind en Gezin Hallepoortlaan 27 1060 Brussels tel.: (02) 533 1476 email adoptie@kindengezin.be


Residents of the French-speaking part of Belgium should contact:

Autorité Communautaire pour l'Adoption Internationale (ACAI) Boulevard Leopold II, 44, 1080 Brussels tel.: (02) 413 2726.


Residents of the German-speaking community should contact:

Ministerium der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft Zentrale Behörde der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft für Adoptionen Gospertstrasse 1 B-4700 Eupen Fax.: +32 (87) 55 64 74 Tel.: + 32 (87) 59 63 46


Embassy of Belgium

3330 Garfield Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008 tel.: (202) 333-6900 Fax (202) 333-5457 E-mail: washington@diplobel.org


Belgium also has Consulates in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York.


Office of Children's Issues

U.S. Department of State CA/OCS/CI SA-17, 9th Floor Washington, DC 20522-1709 Tel: 1-888-407-4747 E-mail: AskCI@state.gov Internet: U.S. Department of State


U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

For questions about immigration procedures, call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)


SOURCE

Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State Country Information adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=belgium