Inter-country adoptions

(1) A person who is not a citizen of Belize may adopt Belizean child if he or she, (a) does not have a criminal record; (b) has a current recommendation concerning his suitability to adopt a child from his country’s probation and welfare office or other competent authority; and (c) has satisfied the court that his country of origin will respect and recognise the adoption 76 (2) For the purposes of an application to which this section applies, a social services practitioner shall be required to verify in writing (at the cost of the applicant) the recommendation referred to in subsection (1) (b) of this section, and the social services practitioner shall submit to the court a report of the findings of his inquiry. (3) The court may, in addition to the report required under subsection (2) of this section, require some other person or authority to make a report in respect of the application. (4) Adoption orders made under section 141 of this Act, shall remain provisional for 12 months during which time quarterly reports shall be submitted to the court by a competent authority in the country where the adopted child lives on the status and progress of the adopted child. After the 12 months period has expired, an application can be made to the court for the adoption to be made final.