Infant Adoption in Vietnam: A Complete Guide

Infant adoption is a heartwarming journey, but it’s also one closely regulated by law. If you’re considering welcoming an abandoned newborn into your family, Thao & Co. is here to guide you through the process.

Infant adoption in Vietnam: Is it complex?

In recent years, infant adoption has become increasingly common. However, ensuring the child’s well-being, safety, and future in a loving environment means the process can be quite detailed. 

Applications for newborn adoption are carefully reviewed to prevent exploitation and illegal practices. For prospective parents, understanding the adoption requirements and following them closely can make the process much smoother.

Requirements for infant adoption in Vietnam

Adopting a newborn involves meeting specific legal requirements that apply to both the child and the adoptive parent(s). Here’s what you need to know.

1. For the infant

Typically, infants available for adoption fall into one of the two categories:

1. ● Parental consent: The baby must be at least 15 days old.
2. ● Abandoned or orphaned newborns: The child must be officially listed on the adoption photolisting of the Department of Justice.

2. For the adoptive parent(s)

To be eligible to adopt an infant, the adoptive parent(s) must meet the following criteria:

1. ● Be at least 20 years old
2. ● Have full civil act capacity
3. ● Demonstrate good moral character with no criminal record
4. ● Have sufficient financial stability and childcare knowledge
5. ● Be in good health, without any medical conditions that could negatively affect the child
6. ● Not fall under any prohibited categories for adoption, as outlined in Vietnam’s Law on adoption.

Requirements for international infant adoption

In recent years, the demand for infant adoption by foreign parents in Vietnam has grown. However, the process for international adoption of Vietnamese children comes with stricter regulations and additional complexities.

Understanding the order of priority for adoptive families is a critical first step:

1. ● Step-parent or biological relatives of the child;
2. ● Vietnamese citizens permanently residing in the country;
3. ● Vietnamese citizens settling abroad;
4. ● Foreigners permanently residing in Vietnam;
5. ● Foreigners permanently residing abroad.

Cases of adoption by foreign parents include:

1. ● Vietnamese citizens living abroad adopting a Vietnamese child.
2. ● Foreigners residing in one of the Hague Adoption Convention countries adopting a Vietnamese child.
3. ● Vietnamese citizens residing in Vietnam adopting a foreign child.
4. ● Foreigners permanently residing in Vietnam adopting a Vietnamese child.
5. ● Vietnamese or foreign citizens residing abroad adopting a specific child.

The specific requirements for international infant adoption vary based on your circumstances.

It is advisable to consult with international adoption agencies. They can provide personalized guidance tailored to your situation and help you prepare the necessary documentation.

The process of adopting an abandoned infant in Vietnam

Adopting an abandoned newborn in Vietnam involves several steps. Here’s what the process typically looks like:

1. Step 1: Prepare all the required documents. For inter-country infant adoption, you need to translate your adoption application documents before submission.
2. Step 2: Submit the completed application to the People’s Committee in the commune where the child was found and their information verified. 
3. Step 3: The People’s Committee will thoroughly review the information of both the adoptive parent(s) and the child to ensure eligibility and compliance with adoption laws.
4. Step 4: Once verified, the application is forwarded to the Ministry of Justice for final examination and a decision on approval.
5. Step 5: If your application is approved, you’ll proceed with the handover procedure to officially welcome the child into your family.

Adoption of a newborn without a birth certificate

If the newborn to be adopted lacks a birth certificate, the adoptive parent(s) or the temporary foster care institution must obtain one. The certificate will be issued following these guidelines:

1. ● The child may take the surname of either the adoptive mother or father, based on mutual agreement. As for a single-parent adoption, the infant will take the parent’s surname.
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2. ● If the infant’s date of birth is unknown, the date the child was found will be used as the birth date.
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3. ● The birth year can be determined by assessing the child’s physical condition.
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4. ● Place of birth and hometown will be recorded as the location where the child was found.
5. ● The child will initially hold Vietnamese nationality. If adopted internationally, their nationality may be changed following completion of emigration procedures.
6. ● The section regarding biological parents and ethnicity will remain blank.

Only after the birth certificate is issued can the adoptive parent(s) proceed with the next steps of the Vietnam adoption.

Key takeaways 

Partnering with a professional document translation agency can make all the difference. At Thao & Co., our team of seasoned linguists guarantees high-quality, accurate translations tailored to your every need. Here’s how we can help:

1. 📜 Notarized translations: Precise and reliable translations with speedy delivery.
2. ⚖️ Legal consultation: Expert guidance for preparing your adoption documents.
3. 💰 Transparent workflow: Upfront quotes and a seamless process from start to finish.
4. 💻 Guaranteed confidentiality: Your information is protected by strict NDAs.

📞 Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you take the next step toward building your dream family. Together, we can make it happen!