22 CFR 96.53 – Background studies on the child and consents in outgoing Convention cases
(a) The agency or person takes all appropriate measures to ensure that a child background study is performed that includes information about the child’s identity, adoptability, background, social environment, family history, medical history (including that of the child’s family), and any special needs of the child. The child background study must include the following:
(1) Information that demonstrates that consents were obtained in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section;
(2) Information that demonstrates consideration of the child’s wishes and opinions in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section and;
(3) Information that confirms that the child background study was prepared either by an exempted provider or by an individual who meets the requirements set forth in § 96.37(g).
(b) Where the child background study is not prepared in the first instance by an accredited agency, the agency or person ensures that the child background study is reviewed and approved in writing by an accredited agency. The written approval must include a determination that the background study includes all the information required by paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) The agency or person takes all appropriate measures to ensure that consents have been obtained as follows:
(1) The persons, institutions, and authorities whose consent is necessary for adoption have been counseled as necessary and duly informed of the effects of their consent, in particular, whether or not an adoption will result in the termination of the legal relationship between the child and his or her family of origin;
(2) All such persons, institutions, and authorities have given their consents;
(3) The consents have been expressed or evidenced in writing in the required legal form, have been given freely, were not induced by payments or compensation of any kind, and have not been withdrawn;
(4) The consent of the mother, where required, was executed after the birth of the child;
(5) The child, as appropriate in light of his or her age and maturity, has been counseled and duly informed of the effects of the adoption and of his or her consent to the adoption; and
(6) The child’s consent, where required, has been given freely, in the required legal form, and expressed or evidenced in writing and not induced by payment or compensation of any kind.
(d) If the child is twelve years of age or older, or as otherwise provided by State law, the agency or person gives due consideration to the child’s wishes or opinions before determining that an intercountry placement is in the child’s best interests.
(e) The agency or person prior to the child’s adoption takes all appropriate measures to transmit to the Central Authority or other competent authority or accredited bodies of the Convention country the child background study, proof that the necessary consents have been obtained, and the reasons for its determination that the placement is in the child’s best interests. In doing so, the agency or person, as required by Article 16(2) of the Convention, does not reveal the identity of the mother or the father if these identities may not be disclosed under State law.