[MichelePA]

I see several posts regarding possible upcoming changes, etc. We are just completing our home study and agency applications.

I was wondering if changes are anticipated with the process?

Thanks,
Michele

[specialk4b]

My agency said since we were already signed before the final implementation of Hague, ours wouldn't be subject to the terms of Hague.

And to be completely honest, I don't know what the differences will be. I want to try to find out.

Have you chosen an agency?

[TaraL]

I was flipping through the channels on TV the other night and caught about the last 25 minutes of "Hague talk" on CSPAN. From what I took in that short time they didn't mention China. China already has such a uniformed, organized program so this why I assume they didn't mention them. From what I could get from it was that they don't want to see any stopage or great affect on adoptions in any country involved. They spoke about Romania and didn't want a repeat of that. They were very adament about this. By the way, "they" were various adoption organizations and government officials. I believe that any changes due to the Hague are going to be positive ones.

I wouldn't worry too much but if you are talk to your agency. Hopefully they can offer more information.

[prechrswife]

I think what I heard at one point was that the only difference would be on the Secretary of State level that we would have to have an Apostille instead of State Certification. (I read that sometime last year, and we're still a ways from our next paperchase, so take it with as many grains of salt as you like.)

[sak9645]

On the Chinese end, there may be some paperwork changes. However, they are not expected to be great. China already has a Central Authority for international adoption (the CCAA), and it designed its adoption system with Hague compliance in mind.

On the American end, there will almost certainly be some new steps in the process, possibly adding to the time frame and complexity of the process, since the American adoption system is not currently Hague-compliant.

Remember that, at present, there is no federal regulation of adoption in the U.S., except in terms of immigration law. Adoption is primarily a state function.

Under the Hague, the U.S. State Department will become the Central Authority for adoptions from Hague countries, in charge of compliance with Hague requirements. This is a totally new function for the State Department, which has spent the past six years, since the passage of the Intercountry Adoption Act, trying to put appropriate regulations, systems, and processes in place.

As when anything new happens, there is often a period of time when it doesn't go perfectly smoothly. The Hague will be a totally new venture for the U.S., and people adopting during the first year or so after it takes effect may experience some delays and confusion.

Most adoption organizations, like the Joint Council on International Children's Services, have been working closely with the State Department, in an effort to keep Hague adoptions from becoming slow, costly, etc.

I think that everyone is making a good faith effort to create a transparent and efficient system, that is true to the goal of the Convention -- namely, protecting the rights of children, their birthparents, and their adoptive families. But only time will tell how successful the U.S. is in making its system run well.

Sharon