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Intercountry Adoption
The term “intercountry adoption” covers a wide range of possibilities and experiences. There are no two adoptions that look exactly the same. For most people, an intercountry adoption will be one of the more challenging events of their life. At Sunrise we have spent the past 24 years helping Canadians, primarily British Columbians, adopt children from across the world. We have learned from every adoption and have built up resources, materials and expertise to help children find loving families in this country. We will also help and support you to meet and comply with all the complex rules and regulations which apply to adoption today.
Over the past 20 years most of the countries in the world have become signatories to an international adoption agreement called the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (The Hague Adoption Convention). It provides a government-to-government adoption process. The Convention imposes complex processes meant to provide regulation and security to intercountry adoptions. Sunrise has been an Accredited Body under the Convention for 24 years and has considerable experience helping adopting parents meet these intercountry adoption procedures. Sunrise has also been accredited by The Hague Central Authorities in many countries to assist in finding loving parents in British Columbia for the children in their care.
Each country has different restrictions for adopting parents. Criminal records, health, age, financial and marital status are all factors they include. To learn what each county requires, click on the button below.
Please note: Residents of Ontario and Quebec are required to use agencies in their home province.
The Hague Adoption Convention requires that a family be found in the child’s home country if possible before intercountry adoption is considered. What that means is sometimes lengthy waits for the child to find a loving family. It also means thinking about what the characteristics of the child are that you would like to provide a home and family for. Race, age, health, special needs, culture and language are all part of the decision-making process. At Sunrise, our counsellors will help you think through these complex issues and provide advice for you.
Applicants need to be realistic about the challenges involved. One of the things we have learned over the past two decades is that there is no such thing as an easy adoption. Every adoption we have ever been involved with is different. Applicants need to be ready to handle uncertainty, constant change, and levels of risks. At Sunrise we have an advanced and interactive online education course, as well as individual counselling, to help prepare you for these challenges.
An ancient Chinese proverb states that “A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step”. To make that first step, contact us for an information package and we will provide you with guidance on this journey. Request the Adoption Information Package here.
Intercountry Adoption for Other Provinces
Sunrise can work with residents of Canada’s western provinces, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, through their Provincial Adoption Central Authority with whom we have working agreements.