Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does intercountry adoption take? How long is the assessment process and are there any waiting times after this?
The assessment process with PACT takes on average 6 – 8 months from the date we receive your application form until the date your home study report is presented to our panel.
Your papers are then submitted to the Department for Children, Schools, and Families (DCSF) who issue you with a certificate of eligibility. The DCSF aims to process this within 4 weeks.The DCSF then send your papers to the Notary Public, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and/or Embassy and await their return.They aim to complete this process within 12 weeks, before sending them to your chosen country.
Once your papers are sent overseas the waiting time for you to be matched with a child can vary depending on your chosen country. This can be a wait of up to several years.
2. Should I identify a child before I start the process?
No, we strongly recommend that you do not identify a child before starting the adoption process. There are no guarantees in intercountry adoption and you may be unsuccessful in your plans to adopt the child, which can be very distressing and costly for all involved.
3. I want to adopt my sister’s child from India (for example), how do I proceed?
Firstly, it is important to be aware that you cannot adopt any child from abroad if they are already being cared for properly in their own country. However, if your sister’s child is considered to be available for adoption by the Indian authorities then you must check that you would be able to bring your sister’s child into the UK before starting the intercountry adoption process. The immigration rules concerning this can be found on the Home Office Website. Please note the Home Office can only provide advice and therefore we would also strongly recommend seeking legal advice from an experienced immigration lawyer.
We would be happy to speak to you regarding the intercountry adoption assessment process once you have clarified the above situation.
click here for the UK Border Agency/Home Office rules on intercountry adoption
4. I am single, can I adopt from Overseas?
Each country has their own adoption criteria regarding single parent adoption and therefore it is important that you research which countries will allow you to adopt as a single person.
click here for the DCSF (Department of Children, Schools and Families)
5. Can I adopt from anywhere abroad?
Most countries impose certain restrictions on intercountry adoption. In addition the UK central agency, the DCSF, sometimes imposes a suspension on intercountry adoption from countries when it believes procedures are insufficient to ensure the proper protection of children and their families.
It is therefore important that you check which countries are open for adoption from the UK and then whether you are able to meet the criteria outlined by the country you wish to adopt from.
click here for the DCSF (Department of Children, Schools and Families)
6. How do I find out the procedures in other countries?
The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has a number of fact sheets available on their website regarding the procedures in different countries. You may also wish to contact the Intercountry Adoption Centre as they run information days on specific countries.
7. I am not an English national but living here with work. May I adopt from Overseas?
If you are not a British Citizen then you must have indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK to be able to sponsor an entry clearance application for a child. Different countries will also have requirements concerning your habitual residence and domicile status in the UK. For further information on this topic please consult the Home Office website. You may also wish to seek independent legal advice to clarify your status, as failure to comply with these requirements is a criminal offence.
8. I’m worried I am too old. Is there an upper age limit?
Some countries set upper age limits or specify an age difference between adopters and children.
9. Will the children have medical and emotional problems?
Adopted children may have emotional, developmental and behavioural problems as a consequence of their early experiences. There may be uncertainties about their health and adopting from abroad often means that there may be little or no information about their health history and their family of origin.