Official advice for New Zealanders living and travelling overseas

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Inter-country adoptions

Inter-country adoptions take time and money.  New Zealand is a contracting state to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption. It is extremely important to seek independent legal advice and consult Child, Youth and Family before embarking on an inter-country adoption. You must ensure that any child adopted overseas by a New Zealander is able to lawfully exit the country they are in, and enter and reside permanently in New Zealand, if that is the intention.

If you are overseas for the purpose of an adoption you should have access to enough money to cover emergencies, and be prepared for extensive delays and setbacks, see https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/inter-country-adoptions.

Comprehensive information regarding inter-country adoption is available on the Child, Youth and Family (CYF) website which should be consulted before starting the adoption process.

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