Adoption is a legal process in which an adult person assumes responsibility for the care and support of another person (usually a child) who is not the adoptive parent's biological child. Intercountry adoption is the process by which you adopt a child from a country other than your own through permanent legal means and then bring that child to your country of residence to live with you permanently.
In Texas, adoption is a legal process governed by the Texas Family Code, which allows an adult to become the legal parent of someone who is not their biological child. This process requires a court proceeding where the adoptive parents must demonstrate their ability to care for the child and provide a suitable home. The court will terminate the parental rights of the child's biological parents either voluntarily or involuntarily before the adoption can be finalized. Intercountry adoption involves additional layers of regulation, including compliance with the laws of the child's country of origin, U.S. federal law, and international treaties such as the Hague Adoption Convention, if applicable. Prospective adoptive parents must also obtain an immigrant visa for the child, which involves U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approval, and the adoption must be recognized by both the foreign country and the state of Texas.
