France – Foreign Authorization

Last Updated: April 12, 2024

To support the viability of intercountry adoption as an option for permanency for children in France, the Office of Children’s Issues and the U.S. Embassy in Paris sought information from the French Central Authority regarding its legal requirements for the authorization of adoption service providers (ASP), pursuant to Article 12 of the Hague Adoption Convention.

France ratified the Convention on June 30, 1998, and the Convention came into force on October 1, 1998.

The Mission for International Adoptions, the French Central Authority, explained that foreign providers are not permitted to conduct work on intercountry adoption in France and all activity must be handled through a provider that is headquartered in France. Therefore, there is no process for authorizing a foreign ASP in France.

ASPs with questions about adoptions from France should contact the French Central Authority, Mission de l'Adoption Internationale (MAI), Autorité Centrale, Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères, 57 boulevard des Invalides, 75007 PARIS, France.

Phone: +33 (1) 5369 3172

E-mail: courrier.fae-mai@diplomatie.gouv.fr.

Websites: diplomatie.gouv.fr / https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/adopter-a-l-etranger/.

Contact person: Etienne ROLLAND-PIEGUE, Chef de la Mission de l’Adoption Internationale, E-mail: courrier.fae-mai@diplomatie.gouv.fr.

For additional information, ASPs may wish to review the France country-information page.