Adoption between the United States and Hungary is governed by the Hague Adoption Convention. Therefore to adopt from Hungary, you must first be found eligible to adopt by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government agency responsible for making this determination is the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Because Hungary is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, adopting from Hungary must follow a specific process designed to meet the Convention's requirements. After apllying them you will be connected with a caseworker in Hungary.

Your caseworker will inform you of your invitation to travel to Hungary. The trip is about 45 days in length. You will travel and meet with your in-country coordinator. Your coordinator will take you to all the required appointments, including the visit with the Hungarian authorities to choose your referral.

You will travel to the orphanage to visit the child and decide whether you wish to adopt. If you decide to adopt the child, then your coordinator will help you complete the necessary paperwork and submit it to the authorities. She or he will also help you get acquainted with your lodgings and the area in which you are staying. You will then bring your child back to your apartment/hotel in Hungary.

During the next days and weeks, you will live with the child while receiving regular visits from the court-appointed social worker. She will write reports on her observations. After the social worker makes her final visit, she will forward her recommendation to the commission. If the report is favorable, the final Adoption Decree will be prepared along with a new birth certificate and passport for your child. You will travel to the clinic and have your child examined by the doctor. You will then go to the U.S. Embassy in Budapest to apply for your child's visa. Hungary requires two post placement reports during the first year after adoption.