The SAI has become the SASIE

Since October 25, 2022, the Secrétariat à l’adoption internationale (SAI) has changed its name for the Secrétariat aux services internationaux à l’enfant (SASIE). For more information, see the News section of our website.

Protect the child,
the heart of adoption

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The search for origins in intercountry adoption and in another Canadian province or territory

October 19, 2023

We are pleased to share with you our new information document for adopted persons, entitled The search for origins in intercountry adoption and in another Canadian province or territory.

The purpose of this document is to inform adopted persons and their families, as well as the birth parents, of the procedures to follow when undertaking a search for origins.

Training prior to adopting a child domiciled outside Québec will become mandatory

August 1, 2023

The preparatory training course for adopters of a child domiciled outside Québec, entitled International Adoption: First Steps and Thoughts, is a training program funded by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) as part of the Plan d’action en adoption internationale 2019-2024 – Bâtir le futur ensemble (in French only). Adoption preparation training will become mandatory for all persons domiciled in Québec considering international adoption.

The training program was developed by the Secrétariat aux services internationaux à l’enfant (SASIE, formerly Secrétariat à l’adoption internationale or SAI) in collaboration with Université TÉLUQ and various partners. The French version of the training program was launched in May 2022, and the English version has been available online since June 2023.

In addition, as of August 10, 2023, under the Regulation respecting training prior to adopting a child domiciled outside Québec, all prospective international adoptive persons must complete this mandatory training and obtain a participation certificate. This new requirement is part of the MSSS’s continued commitment to protecting children.

You can access this training program under Challenges and Preparation for Adoption in the Before the Adoption section of our website.

About the training:

  • The International Adoption: First Steps and Thoughts training program is designed for people interested in intercountry adoption. It aims to inform prospective adoptive persons of the realities of the process and support them in deciding whether to move forward with such a life plan.
  • The online training program is designed so that all participants can complete it independently and at their own pace.
  • To obtain the participation certificate, participants must complete the nine online modules, consisting of reading material, activities, interactive questions, and audio and video clips. The training program raises awareness about the realities of adopting so participants are well informed and understand the challenges for the child, themselves and their loved ones. Adopting a child from another country is a life plan that entails significant and permanent changes for every family member.
  • The training program aims to meet the needs identified by prospective adoptive persons, adoptees, adoptive parents, and international adoption partners. Anyone can take the course, but prospective adoptive persons considering adopting a child domiciled outside Québec are required to complete the training program and obtain the participation certificate.

Resumption of Adoptions with Tunisia

July 28, 2023

As part of the adoption cooperation agreement between Québec and Tunisia, the Secrétariat aux services internationaux à l’enfant (SASIE) is announcing the resumption of adoptions with this country. These intercountry adoptions are governed by the Regulation respecting the adoption without a certified body of a child domiciled outside Québec by a person domiciled in Québec (P-34.1, r. 2), section 7.2.

The eligibility criteria are outlined in the Tunisie fact sheet in the page Requirements and Procedures by Country.

If you meet the specified criteria and wish to proceed with the adoption process, please get in touch with the SASIE to learn more about how to apply for eligibility.

The SAI has become the SASIE!

November 10, 2022

After 40 years of existence, the Secrétariat à l’adoption international (SAI) has been renamed to Secrétariat aux services internationaux à l’enfant (SASIE). The SASIE’s mandate as a Central Authority remains the same.

This new name better reflects the services offered to the population and citizens by the SASIE as it emphasizes the political and social will to commit to improving services to adoptees and their families. Globally and in Quebec, the SASIE operates in a dynamic environment that reaffirms the organization’s mandate to protect the best interests of the child and ensure the continued respect for the child’s fundamental rights, in line with the recommendations adopted at the Fifth Meeting of the Special Commission to review the operation of the 1993 Adoption Convention Lien externe, une nouvelle page s'ouvrira. and the work undertaken as part of the government’s 2019-2024 Action Plan – Bâtir le futur ensemble Lien externe, une nouvelle page s'ouvrira. (in French only).

By broadening the scope of its name, the SASIE highlights the importance of international search for origins and reunification in the context of international adoption. Adding the word “enfant” (which means child, in English) in its name emphasizes that the child and his of her filiation history are at the heart of SASIE’s mandate.

The SASIE’s website will be revised and updated in the coming months to reflect the organization’s new name.

If you have questions about international adoption or international and intergovernmental search for origins and reunification, you can contact the SASIE.

Launching of preparation program for international adoption applicants – L’adoption internationale : les premiers pas de ma réflexion.

May 30, 2022
Funded by the ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux as part of the Secrétariat à l’adoption internationale (SAI)’s 2019-2024 Action Plan – Bâtir le futur ensemble Lien externe, une nouvelle page s'ouvrira. (in French only), the international adoption preparation program was developed by the SAI in collaboration with Université TÉLUQ and many partners. It is designed for people interested in intercountry adoptions and serves to inform and make them aware of the realities of the process, as well as support them in their decision on whether to move forward with such a life plan.

The international adoption preparation program is delivered entirely online. Participants can complete it independently, at their own pace, and according to their schedule. To obtain their certificate of attendance, they must complete nine online modules consisting of reading material, activities, questionnaires, and audio and video recordings. The program raises awareness about the realities of adopting so participants are well informed and understand the challenges for the child, themselves, and their loved ones. Adopting a child from another country is a life plan that leads to significant and permanent changes for every member of the family.

The program aims to meet the needs identified by prospective adoptive parents, adoptees, adoptive parents, and international adoption partners. These concerns are echoed in the results of research projects on the path of international adoption. In line with the MSSS’s commitment to protecting all children, the program will be mandatory in 2023 (once translated into English) for anyone domiciled in Quebec and wishing to engage in an intercountry adoption project. However, it is available in French as of May 30, 2022. The SAI recommends that anyone considering international adoption register now.

You can access the program in the Before the Adoption – Challenges and Preparation for Adoption section of the SAI website.

Situation in Ukraine: Activities related to intercountry adoption

March 3, 2022
The current war situation in Ukraine has an impact on activities related to international adoption.

In this context:

  • the opening of new files is suspended;
  • the filing of files in progress with the Ukrainian authorities is suspended;
  • travel within the country is suspended;
  • meetings scheduled for the home study assessment are suspended.

The Secrétariat à l’adoption internationale is monitoring the situation closely and will adjust these activities according to the situation.

The Secrétariat à l’adoption internationale remains available to answer your questions.


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