Adopt a child you know from overseas

You may want to adopt a child that is your relative or that you know that is living overseas.

Before reading this page, please read information about how to Adopt a child from overseas.

Adoption Victoria is unable to assist with these applications unless the request is initiated by the Central Authority of the country where the child resides and that Central Authority has an Active Overseas Country Program with Victoria.

Overseas known child adoptions are only possible when there are no other placement options in the child’s country and an intercountry adoption is in the best interests of the child.

The overseas authority has to send a request to Adoption Victoria, including a report that confirms the child is legally adoptable and requiring intercountry adoption. Adoption Victoria will consider this information and provide a written outcome to the overseas authority.

Steps to adopt a relative/known intercountry child

Step 1: Contact the overseas Central Authority

You must contact the Central Authority in the country of origin for the child to inform them of your intentions to adopt the child.

The relevant authority has to conduct an assessment of the child to confirm that they are legally adoptable and requiring intercountry adoption. This information is to be sent directly to Adoption Victoria via email: adoptionsvic@justice.vic.gov.au.

Step 2: Adoption Victoria accepts or declines the request

Adoption Victoria will consider the request and provide a written outcome to the overseas Central Authority to accept or decline the intercountry known child request.

Adoption Victoria can only accept requests that:

1. Meet full compliance with relevant Australian and international child welfare laws and guidelines. This includes requirements set out in the Hague Convention, Australia National Practice Agreement, and Victorian Adoption Legislation and Regulations.
2. Include sufficient information about the child and their circumstances to demonstrate that an intercountry adoption in in their best interests.

Step 3. Submit adoption application (if your request is accepted)

If Adoption Victoria agrees in principle to accept the intercountry known child adoption request, we will invite you to submit a formal application to our program.
You will be subjected to the Victorian intercountry adoption process, including a comprehensive assessment of your eligibility and suitability to be an adoptive parent.

Adoption Victoria will work with the overseas relevant authority to complete the relevant adoption processes and set up an agreement on post placement supervision requirements.

Alternatives to intercountry known child adoption

• Intercountry Adoption Australia has more information on other types of overseas adoptions.
• The Australian Government provides a variety of different pathways for children to come to Australia either temporarily or permanently. You can explore visa options and learn about child migration on the Department of Home Affairs website.
• You can seek further advice about child migration from a registered migration agent. Please visit the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.