Germany and the Hague Convention

The Reichstag Building in Berlin.
Source: Wikipedia.org

Germany 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 Germany. Germany is not generally considered a country of origin in intercountry adoption. Only five German orphans have received U.S. immigrant visas since 2007. The information provided is intended primarily to assist in rare adoption cases from Germany, including adoptions of German children by relatives in the United States, as well as adoptions from third countries by U.S. citizens living in Germany.

U.S. IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTIONS

To bring an adopted child to the United States from Germany, 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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