Americans adopted 12,753 children from foreign countries in 2009, according to the U.S. State Department. Whether you are looking into an international adoption because you are skeptical of the domestic adoption process, or you just want to make a difference in the life of a needy child, it's important that you understand the process and weigh all of your options before you make a decision.
Restrictions And Regulations
International adoptions must follow adoption laws in the U.S. and in the child's native country. Adoption restrictions and regulations are fluid, and tend to change with the political landscape. As of 2010, Americans cannot adopt children from Western Europe, Canada or Australia. The countries that allow American adoptions often have specific restrictions. Usually these restrictions involve required long-term residency in the child's country of origin, or stipulations as to the marital status, financial status, age or health of parents. Some restrictions, however, are more unusual. Some Korean adoption agencies will not accept parents who are more than 30 percent above normal body weight. And in Indonesia, parents must profess a faith in God before they can adopt. You must know the standards and criteria for a specific country before you proceed with an adoption
Process
Your first step in an international adoption will be deciding on a country. Adoption.com notes that there are more than 50 countries spread across Latin America, Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa that allow adoptions by Americans. Once you choose a country, you will need to choose an adoption agency. The agency will walk you through the adoption process and match you with a child. You will have to fill out large amounts of paperwork and undergo a home study to ensure your eligibility. Finally, you will have to travel to your child's country to retrieve him. Depending on the country, you may have to make more than one trip throughout the adoption process.
Time Frame
The average international adoption takes 12 to 18 months. This is just an average; your adoption could take considerably longer or shorter, depending on the country involved. Some countries expedite the adoption process, and some have a lengthy process that requires a great deal of commitment from the adoptive parents.
Benefits
International adoptions are generally more straightforward than domestic adoptions, and the expenses are typically listed up front so that there will be no surprises. When you adopt from another country, there is almost no chance that you will have conflicts with birth parents. There are a great number of children of varying ages to choose from, and once your home study is approved, you are virtually guaranteed a child.
Drawbacks
Some countries have excellent health care and keep good records. Others have minimal health care and poor or unavailable records. Children from these countries may have unknown health concerns. Many children from other countries have been institutionalized in orphanages, which can cause psychological problems that can be complicated to resolve. In addition, because the child you will be adopting may be several months old when the adoption begins, and even older when it is finalized, there is no possibility of adopting a newborn.
