Transparency data

Intercountry adoption: list of restricted countries

A list of countries where special restrictions are in place.

• From: Department for Education
• Published: 10 March 2014
• Last updated: 3 April 2023 — See all updates

Applies to England, Northern Ireland and Wales

Documents

Adoptions: restricted list

PDF, 167 KB, 14 pages

Details

This document details:

• countries where special restrictions on intercountry adoption are in place
• dates when the restrictions for each country came into force
• reasons why the restrictions are in place for each country

You can also read guidance on making an exception request to adopt a child from a restricted country.

Published 10 March 2014
Last updated 3 April 2023 + show all updates

1. 3 April 2023

   'Adoptions: restricted list' has been updated to address an additional concern regarding adoptions from Nigeria.

2. 12 March 2021

   Updated restricted list document to include information about Nigeria. Added link to guidance on making an exception request.

3. 21 May 2018

   Updated 'Adoptions: restricted list'.

4. 10 March 2014

   First published.