Introduction to intercountry adoption

Although there are many children in Northern Ireland who are looking for an adoptive family, there are children overseas who need homes. If you want to adopt a child from another country - known as intercountry adoption - you could give them a chance to belong to a permanent family.

Who can apply and when

You can adopt a children from another country if:

• the child cannot be cared for in any suitable manner in their own country
• the adoption would be in the best interests of the child and with respect to their fundamental rights
• the person adopting has been assessed as suitable by an adoption agency

As a first step, you should speak to your local trust or a voluntary adoption agency registered to work on intercountry adoption. Contacts for these can be found on the DHSSPS website.

• Find health services in your area (do it online section)
• Adoption Agencies - DHSSPS website