February 17, 2026

International Adoption: What UK Families Need to Know Before Adopting Overseas

Posted in Adoption, Family, International Family

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Lucie Bultitude

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Contributing Authors

Kim Lehal

International adoption, also known as intercountry adoption, is the legal process by which an individual or a couple adopt a child from a country other than their own and bring the child to live permanently in their home country. This process requires prospective adoptive parents to meet particular legal and regulatory requirements in both their home country and the child’s country of origin.

International adoptions are generally categorised as either Hague Convention adoptions or non-Hague Convention adoptions, depending on whether the child’s country of origin is a signatory to the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption. They are also commonly referred to as “incoming” or “outgoing” adoptions, reflecting the movement of the child between countries.

In the UK, the Adoption and Children Act 2002 was introduced to ensure that international adoptions are subject to the same high standards as domestic adoptions. The Act aims to apply consistent procedures and safeguards wherever possible, ensuring that children adopted from overseas - whether from Hague or non-Hague countries - receive the same level of protection and consideration.

What is a Hague Convention Adoption?

A Convention adoption refers to an adoption carried out in line with the 1993 Hague Convention in a Contracting State outside the UK. An up to date list of countries that have signed up to the Hague Convention is available here. In these cases, the adoption takes place in the child’s country of origin. The main legislation is the Adoption (Intercountry Aspects) Act 1999 which incorporated the 1993 Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption.

What is a Non-Hague Convention Adoption?

A Non-Hague Convention adoption is where adopters apply for a child to be brought to the UK for the purposes of adoption from a country that is not signatory to the Hague Convention; or where an adoption order in a foreign country has been made and is not recognised by the UK. The main legislation is the Adoption of Children from Overseas Regulations.

What is the difference between “incoming” and “outgoing” adoptions

An incoming Convention adoption is where a child is adopted from abroad and comes into the UK, usually to join adopters who are habitually resident here. An outgoing Convention adoption is where a child who originates in the UK is adopted by prospective parents who are habitually resident in another Hague Convention country and will leave the UK to live there.

Are there any countries from where adoptions are not accepted in England?

The UK government has restricted adoptions from several countries which continues to be updated accordingly, the list can be accessed here: Intercountry adoption: list of restricted countries – GOV.UK. However, there is an exception process, where prospective adopters can demonstrate that their case is exceptional with evidence in support, in order to obtain an exemption.