The Hague Convention

An international convention known as the Hague Conference on Private International Law was concluded in May of 1993. At the conclusion of the last session, the final text of an international treaty (known as the Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption) was passed. The intent of this treaty is to set standards and procedures designed to protect the interests of the children being adopted as well as those of the birth parents and the adoptive parents. The standards set forth in the final version of the Convention will apply to all adoptions between countries that have ratified the Convention. However, the treaty does not prohibit countries party to the Convention from setting additional requirements and standards for children leaving their country.