Eligibility and Types of Accreditation
Not-for-Profit Organizations are eligible for Accreditation.
For-Profit Corporations are eligible for Approval.
Individual practitioners are eligible for Approval.
Organizations seeking Hague Accreditation and COA (Re)Accreditation are eligible for Dual Accreditation. 

Application forms are available for:
Organizations and Corporations seeking Accreditation or Approval
Individuals seeking Approval
Organizations seeking Dual Accreditation

For answers to frequently asked questions about the Hague Accreditation/Approval Process, including the application process, please click here.

We are available to answer your questions about your options and about the application throughout this period.  You may direct your questions to Helen Torres at htorres@coanet.org or 866-COA-8088 ext. 250.

General Information about the Requirement for Accreditation or Approval

22 CFR Part 96 Subpart C, Accreditation and Approval Requirements for the Provision of Adoption Services (Sections 96.12-96.17) outlines the requirements for certain providers in the United States, who provide "adoption services" in Convention cases, to be accredited or approved or acting under the supervision of an accredited or approved provider.  By definition, exempt providers only provide either the homestudy or the child study in a case, and are not required to be accredited or approved. 

By definition, adoption services include:

1. Identifying a child for adoption and arranging an adoption;
2. Securing the necessary consent for termination of parental rights and for adoption;
3. Performing a background study on a child or a home study on a prospective adoptive parent(s), and reporting on such a study;
4. Making non-judicial determinations of the best interests of a child and the appropriateness of an adoptive placement for the child;
5. Monitoring a case after a child has been placed with prospective adoptive parent(s) until final adoption; and
6. When necessary, because of a disruption before final adoption, assuming custody and providing (including facilitating the provision of) child care or any other social service pending an alternative placement.

For the Regulations, including 22 CFR Part 96, Subpart C, please click here.

For the Standards that must be met to achieve Hague Accreditation or Approval and the Evidence of Compliance Required, please click here.