Bringing a child into the UK for the purposes of adoption without prior approval is a criminal offence, punishable with up to 12 month’s imprisonment and/or a fine. In order to bring a child into the UK for the purposes of adoption, there are strict regulations that need to be complied with, preferably in advance of bringing the child in.
The procedure you will need to follow will vary depending on which country the child is in. For example, your adoption journey will look different if the child you wish to adopt is in a country which is a signatory to the Hague Convention or not. Furthermore, the UK has restricted adoption from certain countries, meaning that you will only be able to adopt from these countries in exceptional circumstances. To learn more about adopting a child from abroad, read our guide here.
Given the complexities of international adoption and the possibility of committing a criminal offence if you do not follow proper procedure, it is vital to seek legal advice prior to bringing a child who you wish to adopt into the UK.
Vardags team of experienced lawyers can provide expert legal advice on how to adopt a child from abroad in a swift but secure way, navigating multiple jurisdictions.
Vardags Limited is a limited company trading as Vardags, Company No 7199468, registered in England and Wales, having its registered office at 10 Old Bailey, London EC4M 7NG. Vardags is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA Number 535955). Its VAT number is 99 001 7230.
Vardags uses the term ‘Partner’ as a professional title only, to describe a Senior Solicitor, Employee or Consultant with relevant experience, expertise and qualifications (whether legally qualified or otherwise) to merit the title. Our Partners are not partners in the legal sense. They are not liable for the debts, liabilities or obligations of Vardags Limited. Similarly, the term ’Director’ is a professional title only, to describe an employee or consultant of Vardags with relevant experience, expertise and qualifications to merit the title. It does not necessarily imply that the relevant individual is a director of Vardags Limited.
A list of the directors of Vardags Limited and a list of the names of those using the title of ’Director’ and ’Partner’ together with their official status is available for inspection at Vardags’ registered office.