How do adoptions of South African children by foreigners work?
South Africa recognises two kinds of adoptions by foreigners: 1) those completed by foreign residents of South Africa, and The first category requires the foreigners to be resident for 5 years in South Africa and the adoptions are handled by an accredited agency and finalized by the Department of Social Development. 2) international adoptions where foreigners are given children to adopt in their home country. South African subscribes to the Hague Convention (since 2003), which regulates inter-country adoptions, in order to prevent child trafficking and kidnapping. According to the Hague Convention, only people from countries that subscribe (e.g. Finland and Belgium) may adopt South African children. Each country which subscribes to the Hague Convention must have a central authority regulating this kind of adoption, and only reputable non-governmental organisations may set up and manage these adoptions. If money changes hands, it must go to the organisation (not individuals). Up to 5 ye
