International adoption

Find out how to become recognized as the legal and permanent parent of a child from another country. In Canada, international adoptions include both an adoption process and an immigration or citizenship process.

On this page

• The international adoption process
• The immigration or citizenship process
• International adoptions by Canadian citizens living outside Canada

The international adoption process

To adopt a child from a foreign country, you must meet both of the following requirements: 

• the adoption requirements of the province or territory where you live  
• the adoption requirements of the child’s home country  

Find out if you’re eligible to adopt a child outside Canada

To find out if you can adopt a child from another country, contact both the:

• adoption authority in your province or territory 
• office in Canada representing the country where you are interested in adopting 

Note that not all countries allow international adoptions.  

The immigration or citizenship process

Before you can bring your adopted child to Canada, you must apply and obtain one of the following on their behalf: 

• Canadian citizenship  

• permanent residence  

Learn more about how to bring your child to Canada through immigration or citizenship. 

International adoptions by Canadian citizens living outside Canada

If you live outside Canada and would like to adopt a child, you should contact the adoption authority of the country where you live to understand their adoption requirements.  

The nearest Canadian office may be able to help with the process.

For example, Canadian officials abroad can: 

• advise you of which authorities to contact, such as: 
  • local social service agencies 
  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada 
  • provincial and territorial adoption authorities in Canada 
• help you obtain a Letter for Non-Resident Canadians from your last province of residence and issue a cover letter indicating that Canada will recognize the adoption 
• process an immigration or citizenship application for your adopted child 

Find the contact information and locations for Canadian offices abroad.

Related links

• International adoption: Travel health 
• Adopt a child from abroad (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)