I'm undergoing international adoption and I need legal advice ============================================================= International adoption can be very complex, with different sets of rules and regulations to contend with depending on your circumstances and those of your child. Failure to deal with these properly can make it harder to complete the process, and cause issues later down the line. The assessment and application process can be a difficult one, especially if your own personal situation is complex. You may also need advice about the legal ramifications of your adoption, including the position in relation to family trusts or inheritances. As a top family law firm, incorporating world-leading expertise in fertility, adoption and family law, Vardags can help you steer you through this complex process. Whether you have started the adoption process or not, we can advise you how to negotiate the various difficulties, ensuring that your adoption is successful and legally sound. We can also help you to prepare for your new family, including estate and financial planning. **If you require legal advice on child law matters, click below for a free initial consultation with one of our expert family solicitors.** [BOOK FREE CONSULTATION](https://vardags.com/contact "BOOK FREE CONSULTATION") OUR FOREIGN DESKS ----------------- Our foreign desks are comprised of top multi-lingual lawyers, with a network of international contacts. [Australia Desk](https://vardags.com/international/australia "Australia Desk") [Bahrain Desk](https://vardags.com/international/bahrain "Bahrain Desk") [BVI Desk](https://vardags.com/international/bvi "BVI Desk") [Belgium Desk](https://vardags.com/international/belgium "Belgium Desk") [Bermuda Desk](https://vardags.com/international/bermuda "Bermuda Desk") [Canada Desk](https://vardags.com/international/canada "Canada Desk") [Cayman Islands Desk](https://vardags.com/international/cayman-islands "Cayman Islands Desk") [China Desk](https://vardags.com/international/china "China Desk") [Dubai (UAE) Desk](https://vardags.com/international/dubai "Dubai (UAE) Desk") [France Desk](https://vardags.com/international/france "France Desk") [Germany Desk](https://vardags.com/international/germany "Germany Desk") [Gibraltar Desk](https://vardags.com/international/gibraltar "Gibraltar Desk") [Greece Desk](https://vardags.com/international/greece "Greece Desk") [Guernsey Desk](https://vardags.com/international/guernsey "Guernsey Desk") [Hong Kong Desk](https://vardags.com/international/hong-kong "Hong Kong Desk") [India Desk](https://vardags.com/international/india "India Desk") [Italy Desk](https://vardags.com/international/italy "Italy Desk") [Jersey Desk](https://vardags.com/international/jersey "Jersey Desk") [Kuwait Desk](https://vardags.com/international/kuwait "Kuwait Desk") [Republic of Ireland Desk](https://vardags.com/international/republic-of-ireland "Republic of Ireland Desk") [Liechtenstein Desk](https://vardags.com/international/liechtenstein "Liechtenstein Desk") [Luxembourg Desk](https://vardags.com/international/luxembourg "Luxembourg Desk") [Malaysia Desk](https://vardags.com/international/malaysia "Malaysia Desk") [Malta Desk](https://vardags.com/international/malta "Malta Desk") [Mauritius Desk](https://vardags.com/international/mauritius "Mauritius Desk") [Monaco Desk](https://vardags.com/international/monaco "Monaco Desk") [Netherlands Desk](https://vardags.com/international/netherlands "Netherlands Desk") [New Zealand Desk](https://vardags.com/international/new-zealand "New Zealand Desk") [Oman Desk](https://vardags.com/international/oman "Oman Desk") [Russia Desk](https://vardags.com/international/russia "Russia Desk") [United States of America Desk](https://vardags.com/international/united-states-america "United States of America Desk") [Portugal Desk](https://vardags.com/international/portugal "Portugal Desk") [Poland Desk](https://vardags.com/international/poland "Poland Desk") [Qatar Desk](https://vardags.com/international/qatar "Qatar Desk") [Saudi Arabia Desk](https://vardags.com/international/saudi-arabia "Saudi Arabia Desk") [Scotland Desk](https://vardags.com/international/scotland "Scotland Desk") [Singapore Desk](https://vardags.com/international/singapore "Singapore Desk") [South Africa Desk](https://vardags.com/international/south-africa "South Africa Desk") [Spain Desk](https://vardags.com/international/spain "Spain Desk") [Switzerland Desk](https://vardags.com/international/switzerland "Switzerland Desk") "Ayesha Vardag - Britain's top divorce lawyer." ![The Huffington Post](https://vardags.com/images/logo/huffpost.png) "Ayesha Vardag - Woman of the Year"![GG2](https://vardags.com/images/logo/gg2-3.png) "Leading, Magic Circle law firm."Mr Justice Coleridge FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS -------------------------- Bringing a child into the UK for the purposes of adoption 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. It is vital to seek legal advice prior to bringing a child who you wish to adopt into the UK. [FIND OUT MORE](https://vardags.com/faq/children-and-family/foreign-child-to-uk "Can I bring a foreign child to the UK and then adopt them here under the domestic adoption process?") Whether the child you have adopted from abroad will be recognised as legally yours in the UK depends on various factors. For example, if you adopt a child from a country that is a signatory to the Hague Convention 1993 through a Convention Adoption, then that adoption will be recognised in all 76 Hague Convention countries. An adoption that is classed as an 'overseas' adoption, and recognised as a full adoption in the UK may be registered in the Adopted Children Register. [FIND OUT MORE](https://vardags.com/faq/children-and-family/ensure-legal-adoption "How to I ensure my child will be recognised as legally mine in the UK?") If you have an international lifestyle, being able to move around freely with your adopted child will be a high priority. Whether you have legal parental status internationally will depend on whether the adoption order you hold is recognisable in the countries you will reside in. With our international expertise we can offer you specialist legal advice as to the potential issues you may face in different jurisdictions, and how to overcome them. As many of our clients have international lifestyles, we experienced at dealing with the legal complexities arising from the application of UK law internationally. [FIND OUT MORE](https://vardags.com/faq/children-and-family/legal-parental-status-internationally "I will reside in more than one country with my adopted child, how can I make sure I have legal parental status internationally?") Some adoption orders are automatically recognised in England and Wales, such as those made in Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, Channel Islands, 'overseas adoptions' and adoptions under the Hague Convention 1993. Any other adoption made abroad will only be recognisable if it satisfies common law criteria. If a foreign adoption is neither automatically recognised, nor recognisable under the common law, then a domestic adoption order will need to be obtained. [FIND OUT MORE](https://vardags.com/faq/children-and-family/register-adoption-order-in-england-wales "How can I register a foreign adoption order in England and Wales?") [MORE FAQS](https://vardags.com/faq/children-and-family) OUR Children & Family TEAM ------------------------------ [### Caroline Korah](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/caroline-korah "Caroline Korah Vardags Partner Head of Children") [### Lucy Bolton](https://vardags.com/solicitors/manchester/lucy-bolton "Lucy Williams Vardags Partner Divorce & Family") [### Jemima Kearney](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/jemima-kearney "Jemima Kearney Graduate Trainee Solicitor") [Partner - Head of Children](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/caroline-korah "Caroline Korah Vardags Partner Head of Children") [Partner and Co-Head of Manchester and Regional Offices - Divorce & Family](https://vardags.com/solicitors/manchester/lucy-bolton "Lucy Williams Vardags Partner Divorce & Family") [Associate](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/jemima-kearney "Jemima Kearney Graduate Trainee Solicitor") [### Caroline Korah Partner - Head of Children](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/caroline-korah "Caroline Korah Vardags Partner Head of Children")"Caroline Korah is a highly dedicated lawyer who fearlessly represents her clients' interest" Legal 500 [### Lucy Bolton Partner and Co-Head of Manchester and Regional Offices - Divorce & Family ](https://vardags.com/solicitors/manchester/lucy-bolton "Lucy Williams Vardags Partner Divorce & Family")"Lucy Williams is loved by clients and counsel" Legal 500 [### Jemima Kearney Associate ](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/jemima-kearney "Jemima Kearney Graduate Trainee Solicitor")"JEMIMA KEARNEY IS A HIGHLY INTELLIGENT, ELOQUENT, EMPATHETIC, AND DETAIL-FOCUSED ASSOCIATE, A BRIGHT FUTURE STAR IN DIVORCE LAW" Legal 500 [Meet the rest of the team](https://vardags.com/team/children) Is Vardags Right For You? ------------------------- We offer a free consultation to qualifying individuals. Please call our confidential enquiry line on **020 7404 9390**. Lines are staffed 24 hours. When you contact us a member of our client relations team will take the full details of your situation, assess whether we can assist you, and if so, determine the best team for your case. Media Highlights ---------------- [Time Ayesha Vardag features in Time Magazine](http://time.com/5037316/britain-divorce-london-capital-ayesha-vardag/ "Ayesha Vardag features in Time Magazine") [BBC News David Lister discusses 'Brangelina' divorce on BBC News](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7279887504982302720 "David Lister discusses 'Brangelina' divorce on BBC News") [The Telegraph 'Homemaker' ex-wife of Laura Ashley boss earns mammoth divorce payout](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04/06/homemaker-ex-wife-laura-ashley-boss-wins-third-200m-income-payout/ "'Homemaker' ex-wife of Laura Ashley boss earns mammoth divorce payout") [The Telegraph Caroline Korah discusses parental child abduction with The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/climate-and-people/brexit-stopped-us-getting-our-abducted-children-back/ "Caroline Korah discusses parental child abduction with The Telegraph") [The Times Hidden assets and fluctuating fortunes - how crypto clouds divorce](https://www.thetimes.com/article/12c7dc62-6d9f-4c75-9314-b17a9d4fc98f?shareToken=3393e3e3e8101b72a28c6d95a1c641fe "Hidden assets and fluctuating fortunes - how crypto clouds divorce") OUR FULL RANGE OF SERVICES -------------------------- Vardags is one of the UK's leading divorce law firms. We specialise in complex, high net worth and international cases. The Legal 500 has said of Vardags: "The team is noted for its sheer intellect" [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/divorce "Divorce") Vardags is among the leading family law firms in the UK. Our solicitors specialise in complex cases for high net worth individuals, including international child relocation, child abduction, and prenuptial agreements. The Legal 500 has said that "clients feel in totally safe hands" with Vardags' Children & Family lawyers. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/children-and-family "Children & Family") Our reputation and privacy team, headed by top media lawyer Alex McCready, works in and out of the public eye on cases involving defamation, privacy and reputation management. We provide expert advice and representation across the full range of reputation and privacy related matters, including crisis management, emergency injunctions and actions against online and new media. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/reputation-privacy "Reputation & Privacy") Vardags is a leading UK law firm with expertise in complex disputes relating to a range of corporate law matters. Our team has a wealth of expertise to help clients with their legal needs. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/corporate "Corporate") Vardags is a successful and rapidly-growing law firm with an outstanding reputation for winning cases. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/criminal-defence "Criminal Defence") Vardags is a top law firm with a trailblazing fertility and surrogacy department. We have had success with some of the most groundbreaking cases of the last decade in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court, with rulings that have changed the law. Vardags remains at the cutting edge of fertility law, pushing for further improvement of the outdated legislation in place in Britain. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/fertility-surrogacy "Fertility & Surrogacy") Vardags' civil litigation team is renowned for its nous and its consistent ability to deliver results. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/commercial-civil-litigation "Commercial & Civil Litigation") Vardags' wills and trusts team has the specific expertise to cater to the wills and trusts needs of high-net-worth and high-profile individuals. Richard Todd QC, Leading Counsel for Yasmin Prest said of Vardags: "a note to acknowledge your firm's pivotal role in achieving such an outstanding result in the recent Supreme Court case of Petrodel v Prest". [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/wills-trusts "Wills, Trusts and Probate") Vardags is a leading family law firm with specialist expertise in assisting clients who are experiencing domestic abuse. We appreciate that those in abusive relationships may face difficulties contacting us. We can provide additional discretion, such as arranging alternative meeting places and talking via our WhatsApp service. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/domestic-abuse "Domestic Abuse Lawyers") [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/sje-and-shadow-experts "Single Joint Experts & Shadow Experts")