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

The Romanian Central Authority confirmed that the international adoption legal provisions of Law no. 268/2020 entered into force in March 2021 to amend Law no. 273/2004 on adoption procedures.

Romanian law requires U.S. ASPs be authorized by the National Authority for the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities, Children and Adoption (NARPDCA).

ASPs with questions about the information below or about pursuing authorization in Romania should contact the Romanian Central Authority, to the attention of  Ms. Florica Chereches, contact@andpdca.gov.ro or florica.chereches@anpdca.ro

To obtain authorization, a U.S. adoption service provider must fulfill the following conditions:

1. Be a legally registered entity in the State of origin,
2. Have head offices in a State that has ratified the Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, or in a State whose competent authorities have concluded collaboration with NARPDCA,
3. Be accredited to conduct activities in the field of intercountry adoption by the competent authorities in the State where their headquarters are located.
4. Pursue non-profit objectives as allowed by the competent authorities in the State where their office is located,
5. Be managed and administrated by qualified personnel with moral integrity, professional training, and experience with intercountry adoption, and
6. Be under the supervision of the competent authorities of the State where their head office is located regarding their composition, functioning and financial status.

According to Article 6 of Government Act nr. 1441/2004, authorization is valid for two years.

The Adoption Oversight Division in the Office of Children’s Issues can provide an accreditation verification letter to satisfy part 3 of the Romanian requirements. ASPs may email ASPadoption@state.gov to request this official communication.

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