Adoption
Guidance and Regulations
The Legislative Framework
This section lists the main primary and subordinate legislation governing
and relevant to adoption in Northern Ireland. This list will be updated in due course.
Primary Legislation
- The Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 (S.I. 1987/2203 (NI 22))
- The Children (NI) Order 1995 (S.I 1995/755 (N. I. 2))
Subordinate Legislation:
- Adoption Agencies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989 (S.R. 1989 No. 253)
- Adopted Persons (Birth Records) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 (S.R. 1995 No. 484)
- Adopted Persons (Contact Register) (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 (S.R. 1995 No. 485)
- Adoption of Children from Overseas Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (S.R. 2002 No. 144)
- Intercountry Adoption (Hague Convention) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 (S.R. 2003 No. 16)
- The Registration of Foreign Adoptions Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 (S.R. 2003 No. 255)
For
a list of the various regulations on adoption pay and leave:
International Conventions
- Hague Conference on Private International law - Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect ofIntercountry Adoption 29 May 1993 (UK ratify the Hague Convention on 1 June 2003)
- Hague Convention on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law and Recognition of Decrees relating to Adoptions - 1965 (UK ratified 24 August 1978)
- European Convention on the Adoption of Children - 1967 (UK ratified 21 December 1967)
- Hague Conference on Private International law - Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction - 1980
- European Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Decisions Concerning Custody of Children and on Restoration of Custody of Children - 1980
- European Convention on Human Rights - 1986
- United Nations Declaration on Social and legal Principles Relating to the protection and Welfare of Children, with special reference to Foster Placement and Adoption, Nationally and Internationally - 1986
- United Nations - Convention on the Rights of the Child 20 November 1989 (UK ratified December 1991)
- Hague Conference on Private International law - Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption 29 May 1993 (UK ratify the Hague Convention on 1 June 2003)
- List of States who have signed, ratified, or acceded to the Convention
- European Parliament Resolution on Improving the Law and Cooperation between the Member States on the Adoption of Minors - 12 December 1996
