On June 17, 2025, the Republic of Korea (ROK) deposited its instrument of ratification to the Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (the Convention). The Convention will enter into force for ROK on October 1, 2025. The Department is determining if the United States may process Convention adoptions with ROK pursuant to U.S. law and will offer further guidance and detailed information.

ROK is the 107th nation to become party to the Convention, an international agreement that establishes safeguards with the goal of protecting the best interests of the child and of providing greater security, predictability, and transparency for all those involved in an intercountry adoption.

Please monitor adoption.state.gov or subscribe to our listserv for updated information. For questions related to this notice, please email the Office of Children’s Issues at adoption@state.gov.