The Article 16 Report is the official child referral for countries within the Hague Convention. It will be sent to you or your agency and will include information about a child's psychological, social, and medical history. It will specify the child's name, date of birth, and reasons the child is in need of an adoptive placement.
You will have two weeks to review the information and decide whether or not you and your family will be able to meet the child's needs.
Reports will vary from country to country but should include the following information:
- A copy of the child's birth certificate or evidence of the child's age.
- A copy of the irrevocable consent signed by the child's legal custodians or other entity that is consenting to the child's adoption.
- A signed statement that the report is true.
- A summary of the information regarding the child's medical and social history - including the following:
- Statement regarding whether a medical concern might be present that may prevent the child from being able to immigrate to the U.S.
- Factual information regarding why the birth family or legal custodians are not able to continue caring for the child.
- Information regarding the birth parent's death with accompanying death certificate, if applicable.
- Why a parent may have abandoned the child, if applicable.
- If the legal custodian is placing the child for adoption, a statement regarding how the child came into their custody.
