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Adopting from Netherlands
Source: cia.gov.
Source: cia.gov.
Source: cia.gov.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Source: cia.gov.
Source: flickr.com.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Source: flickr.com.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Contents
Hague Convention Information
The Netherlands 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 Netherlands and the United States must meet the requirements of the Convention and U.S. law implementing the Convention.
The Netherlands is not considered a country of origin in intercountry adoption. While legally possible, intercountry adoption of a Dutch orphan by foreigners is unlikely. Only one Dutch orphan has received a U.S. immigrant visa in the past five fiscal years. The information provided is intended primarily to assist in extremely rare adoption cases from the Netherlands, including adoptions of Dutch children by relatives in the United States, as well as adoptions from third countries by Americans living in the Netherlands.
Who Can Adopt
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.
Who Can Be Adopted
Because the Netherlands is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, Dutch children must meet the requirements of the Convention in order to be eligible for adoption. For example, the Convention requires that the Netherlands attempt to place a child with a family in-country before determining that a child is eligible for intercountry adoption. In addition to the Dutch requirements, a child must meet the definition of a Convention adoptee for you to bring him or her back to the United States.
To be eligible for adoption in the Netherlands, a child should be under six years old and the age difference between the future parent and the child should be no more than 40 years (certain exceptions apply to both conditions).
How to Adopt
Adoption Authority
The Process
Traveling Abroad
Applying for Your U.S. Passport
A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave Netherlands. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify U.S. passports. Getting or renewing a passport is easy. The Passport Application Wizard will help you determine which passport form you need, help you to complete the form online, estimate your payment, and generate the form for you to print-all in one place.
Obtaining Your Visa
In addition to a U.S. passport, you also need to obtain a visa. A visa is an official document issued by a foreign country that formally allows you to visit. Where required, visas are attached to your passport and allow you to enter a foreign nation. To find information about obtaining a visa for Netherlands, see the Department of State's Country Specific Information.
Staying Safe on Your Trip
Before you travel, it's always a good practice to investigate the local conditions, laws, political landscape, and culture of the country. The State Department is a good place to start. The Department of State provides Country Specific Information for every country of the world about various issues, including the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, and any areas of instability.
Staying in Touch on Your Trip
When traveling during the adoption process, we encourage you to register your trip with the Department of State. Travel registration makes it possible to contact you if necessary. Whether there's a family emergency in the United States, or a crisis in Netherlands, registration assists the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in reaching you. Registration is free and can be done online.
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.
SOURCE
Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State Country Information[1]