Intercountry adoption

If you have adopted a child from overseas and live in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames you can access our adoption support services.

There are many reasons why people may be interested in adopting a child from another country. Adopting a child from overseas is a very significant step to take, both for you and the child. For most children, adoption within their own race and culture will be best option. You will need to consider carefully adoption will affect you and your extended family and how you will be able to support a child’s needs and identity throughout their childhood and into adulthood.

Intercountry adoption is a different process from domestic adoption with its own set of practices and requirements. Some of the procedures are similar to domestic adoption, such as the home study, but adopters also have to deal with the regulations of the countries they are adopting from. Unlike domestic adoption, intercountry adoption is not free and a charge is made for the assessment process.

Like all local authorities, the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames is obliged to provide an Intercountry Adoption Service (IAS) to residents. We subscribe to the Intercountry Adoption Centre (IAC) and require all prospective intercountry adopters to go to a consultation day at the centre. If you decide to pursue intercountry adoption, you will be allocated a social worker and will need to attend a preparation course at IAC. A charge is made for the consultation day and preparation course.

If you are interested in pursuing intercountry adoption, you can make an initial enquiry to the Intercountry Adoption Co-ordinator. They will discuss the process with you and send you an Intercountry Adoption Information Pack with further details. Get in touch with the adoption team for the contact details of the Intercountry Adoption Co-ordinator or complete an online enquiry form.