The authorities in the country you are adopting from will decide whether to accept your application and then, unless you are already applying for a particular child, your name will be placed on a waiting list. When a child is identified, the information will be sent to the UK.

 

In some countries which have signed up to the Hague Convention, we meet you and talk about the child which has been identified. Then you visit the child before confirming to us that you wish to go ahead.

 
Only when this has happened is a formal agreement between the two countries made.

 

If you have adopted a child in a Commonwealth country or certain other countries where an adoption order is recognised by the UK, you can bring the child to the UK and you do not need to apply for an adoption order here.

 

There is a full list on the Department for Education website.

 

However, the child will not automatically become a British citizen and you need to apply for registration from the Nationality Directorate of the Home Office

 

If you are adopting a child from a country where the adoption is not recognised in the UK you need to apply for entry clearance before bringing the child to the UK.

Usually, this is done at the British Embassy or High Commission. You will then need to adopt the child in this country. This application will be dealt with by the Essex Family Finders Adoption Team.