Us Code § 14921 - Accreditation or approval required in order to provide adoption services in cases subject to the Convention
Full text of Us Code United States Code § 14921 — Accreditation or approval required in order to provide adoption services in cases subject to the Convention, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 14921. Accreditation or approval required in order to provide adoption services in cases subject to the Convention
(a) In general
Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, no person may offer or provide adoption services in connection with a Convention adoption in the United States unless that person—
(1) is accredited or approved in accordance with this subchapter; or
(2) is providing such services through or under the supervision and responsibility of an accredited agency or approved person.
(b) Exceptions
Subsection (a) shall not apply to the following:
(1) Background studies and home studies
The performance of a background study on a child or a home study on a prospective adoptive parent, or any report on any such study by a social work professional or organization who is not providing any other adoption service in the case, if the background or home study is approved by an accredited agency.
(2) Child welfare services
The provision of a child welfare service by a person who is not providing any other adoption service in the case.
(3) Legal services
The provision of legal services by a person who is not providing any adoption service in the case.
(4) Prospective adoptive parents acting on own behalf
The conduct of a prospective adoptive parent on his or her own behalf in the case, to the extent not prohibited by the law of the State in which the prospective adoptive parent resides.
(Pub. L. 106–279, title II, §201, Oct. 6, 2000, 114 Stat. 830.)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the original "this title", meaning title II of Pub. L. 106–279, Oct. 6, 2000, 114 Stat. 830, which is classified principally to this subchapter. For complete classification of title II to the Code, see Tables.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective upon entry into force for the United States of the Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, pursuant to Article 46(2)(a) of the Convention, with transition rule, see section 505(a)(2), (b) of Pub. L. 106–279, set out as an Effective Dates; Transition Rule note under section 14901 of this title.
About This Section
42 U.S.C. § 14921 is part of Title 42 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.
This section may be cited in legal writing as 42 U.S.C. § 14921. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.
How to Read This Statute
Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.
Using This Page
This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.