Effect of Hague Convention Entering Into Force in Honduras

The Department of State (DOS) is reminding prospective adoptive parents that the Hague Adoption Convention entered into force in Honduras on July 1, 2019 [PDF version]. We discussed in a prior post that the DOS has determined that it will be able to process intercountry adoptions from Honduras under the Hague Convention [see blog].

All adoptions between Honduras and the United States after July 1, 2019, must meet the requirements of both the Hague Convention and U.S. laws. The DOS does not know at this time whether Honduras will continue to process intercountry adoption cases in which a U.S. citizen filed a Form I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition, or a Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative, prior to July 1, 2019, with the USCIS, or in which a final adoption was completed in Honduras prior to that date. The DOS will update its website with more information when it is available.

The DOS advises U.S. prospective adoptive parents that there may be delays in processing intercountry adoptions from Honduras while Honduras implements its new adoption laws, regulations, and procedures in accordance with the Hague Convention.

The DOS's determination that it can now process intercountry adoptions from Honduras under the Hague Convention may cause delays and disruptions in adoption cases in the near future. Prospective adoptive parents should work closely with their accredited adoption service provider and an experienced immigration attorney for guidance on all aspects of the intercountry adoption process.

You may see our website's growing section on intercountry adoption to learn about the issues generally [see category].