‎Which countries allow foreigners to adopt children? Here's what the rules look like

International adoption has gained global attention through celebrities who have chosen to grow their families this way. Angelina Jolie adopted children from Cambodia, Ethiopia and Vietnam, while Madonna adopted four children from Malawi. Sandra Bullock adopted two children from the United States, whereas Meg Ryan adopted her daughter from China.For families hoping to adopt a child from another country, the biggest surprise often comes before the paperwork even begins. There is no single global system. Every country has its own laws, its own conditions and, in some cases, its own reasons for saying no.The same family may qualify to adopt from one country but not another. Some governments ask prospective parents to travel overseas several times, while others require every step of the process to go through accredited agencies. Eligibility can depend on factors such as age, marital status, health, income and even how long applicants have been married.The landscape has also changed dramatically over the past two decades. Countries that once accounted for thousands of international adoptions each year have introduced stricter safeguards or closed their programmes altogether. Many governments now place greater emphasis on keeping children with extended family members or finding adoptive homes within their own country before considering overseas placements.People choose international adoption for different reasons. Some turn to it after finding that domestic adoption is not possible or involves much longer waiting periods.Here’s a look at how some of the world’s major countries that offer adoption by foreign nationals.

India

India continues to allow international adoption under the Hague Adoption Convention.Applications are handled through the country’s central adoption system, and authorities first try to place children with Indian families before considering overseas applicants.Both married couples and single applicants may be eligible to adopt, subject to age limits. India’s adoption framework also distinguishes between married couples and single applicants, and some programs restrict single men to boys only.

South Africa

South Africa also permits international adoption through its Central Authority under the Hague Adoption Convention.Single persons and couples, including same-sex couples, may be able to adopt if they meet the legal requirements of the country.Children of all ages are available for adoption, although many waiting children are older or have additional medical or developmental needs.

Taiwan

In Taiwan, prospective adoptive parents must apply through a licensed agency. Married couples are generally preferred over singles. Applicants usually need to be at least 20 years older than the child, and the age gap cannot be too wide.Agencies also ask for medical reports, police clearance, financial documents, marriage proof, references, and a home-study type evaluation.Families with children already at home may face limits on how many children can be in the household after the adoption.

Why the rules are becoming stricter

Many countries now see international adoption as the last option rather than the first. Under the Hague Adoption Convention, authorities are encouraged to first explore whether a child can remain with relatives, foster carers or adoptive families in their home country. Only when those options are not available does international adoption become a possibility.As a result, cross-border adoptions have declined sharply in many parts of the world. Families considering the process today often face longer waiting periods, stricter background checks and more detailed legal requirements than they would have a decade ago.Many governments have also strengthened their laws in response to concerns about unethical adoption practices. Investigations in some countries over the years have uncovered cases where children were incorrectly registered as orphans, families were tricked into giving up their children, or documents were falsified to facilitate overseas adoptions.