OAR 413-120-0970: Hague Custody Declarations

(1) When a child will be placed for adoption in a Convention country the Secretary of State may issue a Hague custody declaration acknowledging that legal custody of the child has been granted to prospective adoptive parents for the purpose of immigration and adoption in another Convention country. If the receiving Convention country requires a Hague custody declaration for placement of a child for adoption in the receiving Convention country, the Department must apply for and obtain a Hague custody declaration by completing the U.S. State Department's application and submitting the application with a court order with the proper findings supporting the application. (2) The Hague custody declaration must accompany the child when the child leaves the United States and travels to the other Convention country.