International adoption:
Who can apply

There are two processes that you must go through when you adopt a child from another country: the adoption process and the immigration process.

You and your adoptive child must meet the eligibility requirements for both international adoption and the immigration process before you can bring the child to live with you in Canada.

Not all countries allow foreign adoptions. Before you apply to adopt a child from a foreign country, you should ask the adoption authority in your province or territory, or the appropriate foreign embassy in Canada, if adoption is allowed. You can find contact information for provincial and territorial government offices and foreign embassies or consulates in Canada in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

Some countries do not permit adoption, but do permit guardianship. However, Canada’s immigration laws do not allow a guardian to bring a child to Canada unless the child is going to be adopted once he or she has arrived in Canada.

To be eligible for an international adoption, you must meet:

• the adoption requirements of your province or territory, and
• the adoption requirements in the child’s home country.

Adoption authorities in your province or territory, or their licensed adoption agencies, can give you information on eligibility requirements. You can find their contact information in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

Learn about:

• Immigration — Who can apply

Related Links

• Provincial and territorial government offices
• Intercountry adoption services
• Foreign embassies or consulates in Canada
• The Hague Convention