Can gay couples adopt internationally
Adoption
To become and be a parentRFSL
Adoption means that one or two adults travel through a legal process to become legal parents to a child they initially don't have a legal connection to. Here we have gathered communication about what options homosexual couples have to adopt internationally or nationally and what the adoption process looks like.
Since 2003 it’s possible for same-sex couples with the same legal gender to apply for, and get consent for, joint adoption in Sweden. Single parents can also get consent to adopt in Sweden. Most children that are adopted by parents in Sweden are born in other countries than Sweden, this is called international or transnational adoption. Only about 20 children per year that are born in Sweden are adopted from their native family to another family in Sweden. This is called national adoption.
Most adoptions that happen within LGBTQ families are so called related adoptions. Connected adoption means, unlike national or international adoption, to adopt a child you already have a partnership with. Related adoption is required after for example assisted reproduction abroad or after home insemination in order for the one in a same-sex couple
Intercountry Adoption
Like all U.S. citizens considering intercountry adoption, LGB persons, and same-sex couples must comply with the laws and regulations governing adoption and immigration in the child's country of origin and in the United States.
U.S. federal rule does not prohibit LGB U.S. citizens or gay couples from being adoptive parents. However, some foreign countries do not consent LGB individuals or homosexual couples to adopt. When deciding to pursue intercountry adoption, prospective parents should be sure to study whether the country they are interested in adopting from permits adoption by LGB persons or couples.
The Department of State includes adoption eligibility requirements for specific countries in the Country Information section of our website, including data on laws surrounding LGB adoptions when that data is available. Where this information is not included on the relevant land page, prospective parents may consult a U.S. accredited adoption service provider (ASP) that works in the country of interest or the relevant adoption authorities (see the Contact Facts tab on the region information page) or an attorney in the state
The international legal framework of adoption rights of the LGBTQI+ community: status and key challenges
Tuesday 22 April 2025
Renato Guerrieri
Guyer & Regules, Montevideo
renato.guerrieri@guyer.com.uy
Italo Raymondo
Guyer & Regules, Montevideo
iraymondo@guyer.com.uy
Introduction
Adoption is a legal proceeding that allows an individual or couple to adopt a child who is not a hereditary relative, seeking social and family protection, and ultimately the wellbeing and finest interest of the adopted child, by creating a family bond and giving adopting parents the obligations, duties and rights of parents.
For the LGBTQI+ group, in spite of the daunting challenges of the often lengthy, burdensome and emotional adoption proceedings itself, adoption is a relevant mechanism, and in many cases the only one, of constituting a family.[1] This is in lieu of biological means in most cases, and with legal limitations and/or voids and cultural and/or economic barriers regarding other potential alternatives in many jurisdictions, such as donor conception including IVF, surrogacy, or co-parenting.
However, LGBTQI+ adoption is also legally limited across most jurisdiction
Many gay and womxn loving womxn couples build their families through adoption. If you are considering the equal, you are in very good firm. According to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation there are an estimated 2 million LGBT adults in the U.S. who want to parent, many via adoption.
Domestic adoption includes three pathways, universal agency adoption (from foster care), secret agency adoption, and independent private adoption which is facilitated through an attorney.
Intercountry adoption refers to traveling out of the United States to grow your family. U.S. federal law does not prohibit LGBT U.S. citizens or identical sex couple from being adoptive parents. However, some foreign countries do not permit LGBT individuals or same sex couples to adopt. Keep this in mind if you choose to adopt internationally. Refer to the Department of State Country Data section for eligibility requirements for specific countries.
Choosing a Placing Agency
Once you are ready to accept the plunge in growing your family through adoption, and you know whether you want to adopt close to home or tour across the globe, your next large decision is conclusion an LGBT approachable adoption agency that is
LGBT International Adoption: Is it Possible?
While connected LGBT adoption is now legal in the United States, some same-sex couples are drawn to an international queer adoption instead. Whether this is due to a want to adopt a child living in an orphanage who is desperately in need of a family, a yearn for to adopt a child of another culture, or simply because of an interest in adopting a foreign-born kid, they decide that an LGBT international adoption is what’s right for them.
However, whether you’ve decided on this gentle of adoption or are still considering it, it’s key to recognize that there will be challenges with a gay international adoption that you would not have during a domestic youth adoption. Over the past decade, many foreign countries possess started restricting international adoptions for all couples. If you’re an LGBT couple, your options will be even more limited, as not many countries are as progressive as the U.S. is for LGBT adoption rights.
As with any other adoption process, it’s important that you fully study an international lgbtq+ adoption to determine whether it’s the right choice for your family. One of the finest ways to execute so is by talking with an intern