(a) Once the Convention has entered into force for the United States, the Secretary shall issue a Hague Adoption Certificate or a Hague Custody Declaration if the Secretary, in the Secretary’s discretion, is satisfied that the adoption or grant of custody was made in compliance with the Convention and the IAA.

Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

(b) If compliance with the Convention can be certified but it is not possible to certify compliance with the IAA, the Secretary personally may authorize issuance of an appropriately modified Hague Adoption Certificate or Hague Custody Declaration, in the interests of justice or to prevent grave physical harm to the child.