International Adoption

Why Choose International Adoption?

International adoption occurs when someone adopts a child from a foreign country. There are various reasons for pursuing an international adoption, including the following:

• Availability-When a couple considers international adoption, they actually have a greater success rate of adopting simply because there are so many children who need homes.
• Helping out-Some couples choose international adoptions because they want to help in some way. There are many countries all over the world which are simply overrun with orphans and abandoned children. Several of these countries, such as Korea, China, and Russia, have international organizations which seek to place these children with couples seeking to adopt.
• Security-In some cases, couples choose to adopt internationally because they feel that there is less chance of the adoption being overturned, as sometimes happens in the United States when a birth mother or father changes her or his mind.

How To Adopt

Before you begin the process of adoption, it pays to do your homework.

The adoption process can take anywhere from a few months to several years. Each country has its own set of adoption rules and regulations, and potential parents must become educated about these rules before they dive into the adoption process. The following documents are typically needed to begin the adoption process:

1. Proof of citizenship
2. Proof of marriage (if applicable)
3. Proof of divorce (if applicable)
4. Proof of all pre-adoption requirements set forth by both the parents' country and the adopted child’s country
5. Orphan petition form
6. Form I-600 to classify the orphan as an immediate relative
7. Proof of child’s identity
8. Proof of child’s age
9. Proof of child’s orphan status
10. Proof for legal custody
11. Favorable home study
12. Filing fee
13. Proof of final adoption abroad as set up by the Immigration and Naturalization Service

Costs of Adopting Internationally

As with any other adoption, international adoptions can be quite expensive. Besides the fees directly related to the adoptions, there are also extra expenses, including the expenses associated with the time the adoptive parents spend in the other country before the adoption is final. There may also be several flights to and from that country which can also be quite costly. Adopting parents can typically count on the following costs, although the actual monetary amounts can vary quite a bit from case to case.

• Filing fees-$400-$600
• Immigrant Visa applications-$260
• Immigrant Visa insurance-$60
• Agency fees-This will be determined by the adoption agencies that are representing the couple and the child.
• Other expenses-The cost to adopt a child internationally can run anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000, depending upon the circumstances.

Complications

Not every international adoption is a smooth process. Complications can arise on occasion either during the adoption and even after all the paper work is signed and the adoption is final. For example:

• Changing historical and political conditions can cause problems for an international adoption. Unfortunately, many of these problems are beyond the control of the adoption agencies and the adopting parents.
• Medical conditions can also cause problems or delay an international adoption, especially for special needs children.
• Bonding issues are very real problems that affect some families after the adoption has been finalized and everyone is back home. Some families seek counseling for help with these issues.

Help and Assistance

If you are considering an international adoption, you are not alone. There are several support groups that are available to guide families through the sometimes bumpy and unpredictable adoption process. Check out the following resources to become more educated about international adoptions.

• International Adoption
• International Adoption Organization
• Precious Organization
• Families Through International Adoption
• Christian World Adoption