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    Intercountry Adoption

    Travel Notice
    HHAMA notice in relation to travel & COVID-19

    HHAMA is continuing to monitor the current situation in relation to COVID-19.

    Please note that travel may be restricted due to sending countries restrictions and requirements. HHAMA will continue to  liaise with sending countries in relation to travel. Applicants must be aware that each country has its own rules and regulations, which may be subject to change in line with COVID-19 related developments. Please contact HHAMA for latest country information and travel updates. 

    Declarations of Eligibility and Suitability Notice

    Please be advised that anyone whose 2 year Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability is close to expiry, and who are due to travel for an intercountry adoption should contact the Adoption Authority of Ireland as a matter of urgency.

    Email: Intercountry@aai.gov.ie

    Anyone who holds a one year extenstion to their Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability which is close to expiry and who are due to travel for an intercountry adoption should contact Tusla as a matter of urgency.
     https://www.tusla.ie/services/alternative-care/adoption-services/adoption/adoption-offices/  

    Intercountry adoption refers to the situation where persons resident in Ireland decide to adopt a child who is resident in a country other than Ireland. The nature and effect of such an adoption is that the child becomes the child of the adopter as if born to her or him or to them, in the case of a qualified couple with all the rights and duties of parents and children in relation to each other.
     

     Intercountry Adoption was given a statutory basis in 1991 with the passing of the Adoption Act in that year. The most recent legislation in this area is the Adoption Act 2010.  

    There are a number of terms or expressions used on this website with reference to the various aspects of adoption, including the area of Intercountry Adoption, that may be unfamiliar to you. To assist, we have therefore produced a glossary which explains some of the most frequently used terms and which may be viewed here.  

    WHAT IS INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION?

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    Intercountry adoption refers to the situation where persons resident in Ireland decide to adopt a child who is resident in a country other than Ireland. The nature and effect of such an adoption is that the child becomes the child of the adopter as if born to her or him or to them, in the case of a qualified couple with all the rights and duties of parents and children in relation to each other. 

    COUNTRY INFORMATION

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    Information about adoption in countries such as Bulgaria, China, Haiti, India, Philippines, Poland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America and Vietnam

     

     

     

    INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE ADOPTERS

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    The Adoption Act 2010 requires that prospective adoptive parent(s) hold a Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability before they can adopt a child. A Declaration of Eligibility is effectively a licence to proceed to adoption.

     

     

    RICA

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    To register an adoption, you need to apply to the Adoption Authority to request registration of the adoption under Irish law. The application must be accompanied by proof of the foreign adoption. Essentially this is an authenticated copy of the adoption order made in the foreign country.

    GENDER RECOGNITION REGISTER

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    Persons holding a valid Certificate of Gender Recognition issued by the Department of Social Protection and whose adoption is registered in the Register of Foreign Adoptions (RFA) (registration pre-1 November 2010) or the Register of Intercountry Adoptions (RICA) (registration post 1 November 2010) may apply to the Adoption Authority for an entry in the Register of Gender Recognition of Intercountry Adoptions.

    About Us

    The Intercountry Adoption Unit processes applications for Declarations of Eligibility and Suitability, a requirement for all applicants for adoption. The unit is also responsible for maintaining the Register of Intercountry Adoptions (RICA) and the Gender Recognition Register.

     

    Contact details

    Intercountry Adoption Unit
    Adoption Authority of Ireland
    3rd Floor, Shelbourne House
    Shelbourne Road
    Ballsbridge
    Dublin 4
    D04H6F6

    Telephone +353 1 2309 300 

    Email: intercountry@aai.gov.ie

    Mission Statement

    " To ensure the provision of the highest possible standards of adoption related services, throughout the lifelong adoption process, with the best interests of children as the first and paramount objective."