As in many countries, it is possible for U.S. citizens to adopt a child in the Czech Republic. In recent years, however, there have been only a few cases in which a child from the Czech Republic was adopted out to the United States. The reasons for this are said to be the declining birth rate (low number of children available for adoption), longer waiting periods, the necessary consent of parents, and so on.

The only body authorized to mediate in intercountry adoption under the Hague Adoption Convention in the Czech Republic is The Office for International Legal Protection of Children. The Office for International Legal Protection of Children not only mediates the intercountry adoptions but also provides general information and information about Czech law in the field of intercountry adoption. The Office offers help with seeking children who are suitable and eligible for adoption and matching them to suitable and eligible adoptive parents. The office for International Legal Protection of Children cooperates with the central authorities of the states that signed and ratified the Hague Adoption Convention in the field of mediation in intercountry adoptions.

Both married couples and single persons can apply for adoption in the Czech Republic. Such a couple or person with permanent residence in a contracting state of the Hague Adoption Convention has to apply for an adoption through the central authority or accredited body of the state of his permanent residence. The applicants must submit the following documents:

1. Questionnaire completed by the applicants in their native language with a certified translation into Czech
2. Photographs of the applicants (not more than 6 months old)
3. Social report (Homestudy) in their native language with a certified translation into Czech
4. Criminal record check (not more than 3 months old) in their native language with certified translation into Czech
5. Confirmation of applicants´s employer with regard to income in native language with certified translation into Czech
6. Medical checkup in native language with certified translation into Czech
7. Copy of the marriage certificate in native language certified with an Apostille and with certified translation into Czech
8. Copy of birth certificates in native language certified with an Apostille and with certified translation into Czech
9. Copy of passports

Czech law requires an adequate age difference between the child and the adoptive parents. The adequate age difference shall be the same as in the case of biological parenthood.

When the Office for International Legal Protection of Children receives an application for intercountry adoption, it decides whether or not the application will be filed in the register of applications for an adoption. The applicants then receive the relevant decision of the Office for International Legal Protection of Children.