Sequence of resolving the issue of adopting foreign children in Vietnam

1. Biological parents or guardians prepare the dossier for the adoptee and submit it to the Department of Justice where the adoptee resides.

- The Department of Justice is responsible for verifying the dossier, obtaining opinions from relevant parties from the date of receiving a complete and valid dossier.

- After verification, if the adoptee meets the conditions for adopting a foreign child, the Department of Justice confirms the eligibility for adopting a foreign child, notifies the applicant, and sends the dossier of the adoptee along with a confirmation document of eligibility for adoption, a document seeking opinions from biological parents or guardians, and the adoptee aged 9 and above about their consent for adoption.

2. The adoptive parents submit their dossier and a copy of the adoptee's dossier to the Department of Justice (Adoption Department).

- The Department of Justice (Adoption Department) verifies and appraises the dossier of the adoptive parents and the adoptee. In case of non-approval of the dossier, it is returned to the adoptive parents with reasons in writing.

In case of approval of the dossier:

+) For cases where the adoptive parent resides in countries that are not members of the international treaty on adoption cooperation with Vietnam: The Department of Justice (Adoption Department) transfers the dossier of the adoptive parent to the Department of Justice where the adoptee resides for review and decision on adopting a foreign child.

+) For cases where the adoptive parent resides in countries that are members of the international treaty on adoption cooperation with Vietnam: The Department of Justice (Adoption Department) notifies the adoptive parent in writing and the central agency on adoption of the relevant foreign country, along with an evaluation report on the eligibility of the adoptee for adoption abroad, and a document seeking opinions from biological parents or guardians and the adoptee aged 9 and above about their consent for adoption.

After receiving the document from the central agency on adoption of the relevant foreign country confirming the eligibility of the adoptee, the adoptive parents will be allowed to enter and reside in the country where the adoptee is adopted. The Department of Justice (Adoption Department) transfers the dossier of the adoptive parent to the Department of Justice, requesting the Department of Justice to submit it to the Provincial People's Committee for review and decision on adopting a foreign child.

If the central agency on adoption of the relevant foreign country does not approve, the Department of Justice (Adoption Department) returns the dossier and provides reasons in writing to the adoptive parent and notifies the Department of Justice.

- After a decision by the Provincial People's Committee, the Department of Justice notifies the adoptive parent to come to Vietnam to receive the adoptee.

- The Department of Justice registers the adoption and organizes the adoption ceremony. At the adoption ceremony, the Department of Justice gives the foster parents a set of documents of the adoptee, a document seeking opinions from biological parents or guardians and the adoptee aged 9 and above about their consent for adoption.

- The Department of Justice issues a certificate of adopting a foreign child in accordance with the Hague Convention (if required).