The Intercountry Adoption (Hague Convention) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003

Procedure where the prospective adopter is approved by the adoption agency

9.—(1) Where the adoption agency is satisfied that the prospective adopter is eligible to adopt and has approved him as suitable to be an adoptive parent (“its decision”) it must send to the Central Authority–

(a) written confirmation of its decision; and

(b) the report prepared for the purpose of regulation 6(4).

(2) The Central Authority may seek further information from the adoption agency, if the Central Authority considers it is appropriate to do so.

(3) If the Central Authority is satisfied that the adoption agency has complied with these Regulations and that all the relevant information has been supplied by that adoption agency, the Central Authority must send to SOCA–

(a) a certificate in the form set out in Schedule 1 confirming that the–

(i) prospective adopter is eligible to adopt;

(ii) prospective adopter has been assessed in accordance with these Regulations;

(iii) prospective adopter has been approved as suitable to be an adoptive parent; and

(iv) child will be authorised to enter and reside permanently within the United Kingdom if entry clearance, and leave to enter or remain as may be necessary, is granted and not revoked or curtailed and a Convention adoption order or Convention adoption is made; and

(b) a copy of the decision; and

(c) a copy of the report prepared for the purpose of regulation 6(4).

(4) The Central Authority must notify the adoption agency and the prospective adopter in writing that the certificate and the documents referred to in paragraph (3) have been sent to SOCA.