Role of international adoption certified bodies

In Québec, since February 2006, the law requires that certified bodies assist with international adoption, with the exception of certain situations. Any adoption process must also be approved in advance by the Secrétariat aux services internationaux à l’enfant (SASIE).

Only certified bodies, i.e., bodies that have an official recognition document issued by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, may assist people domiciled in Québec with the adoption process.

Certification indicates:

• the country for which it is issued;
• its period of validity;
• any related conditions, restrictions or prohibitions.

Consult the list of international adoption certified bodies.

The certified body makes the adoption arrangements for a person who wishes to adopt a child domiciled outside Québec. It acts as an intermediary between the child's country of origin and the person. It must support the person in their adoption plan.

The certified body must provide various services.

For instance, they must provide the person with information on:

• the services offered;
• the requirements of the country of origin;
• the adoption process;
• the cost of adoption;
• the documents required by the country of origin;
• the profile of the children proposed for adoption;
• the support services available in Québec after the child's arrival;
• the procedures after the child's arrival, such as legal proceedings or the application for Canadian citizenship, and provide follow‑up;
• any change that may have an impact on the adoption process.

The certified body must also:

• see that the adoption procedure is carried out in the proper manner, in particular by ensuring compliance with Québec's legal framework and that of the country of origin and by sending the documents required by the Québec authorities or those of the country of origin without delay;
• ensure that the person's file is complete and contains all the original documents or certified true copies required before sending it to the country of origin;
• receive adoption proposals and respond to them, taking into account the recommendations of the psychosocial assessment;
• conduct follow‑up on the sending of the child's progress reports in accordance with the requirements of the country of origin;
• notify the SASIE of any changes to the initial plan;
• cooperate with the SASIE on research into international family and medical antecedents and reunions, where applicable.

A certified body must, among other things:

• be established for non‑profit purposes under a Québec law;
• have its head office in Québec.

It must be directed and managed by people who are qualified in this field, taking into account their moral integrity, training and experience.

It must also commit to comply with the legal framework, ethical principles and rules of conduct that take into account the public interest and the context of international adoption.

The certified body is required to respect the confidentiality of adoption files and personal information.