The growing awareness of issues and disasters that children in less-fortunate countries face has made the adoption of orphans from the Third World an attractive option for many people. According to The Adoption History Project at the University of Oregon, the adoption of children from less-fortunate countries first gained popularity after World War II, due to the increasing media exposure of orphans from abroad. Adopting a child from a Third World country has its challenges, as must you comply with U.S. federal and state laws and the laws of your child's country of birth. The U.S. Department of State reports that it usually takes about one to four years (possibly longer) to complete an adoption.
Step 1
Search for an International adoption agency (see Resources). The adoption agency needs to be licensed by your state. Keep in mind that fees can vary substantially from agency to agency. Find an adoption attorney (through a referral from your agency) to handle the many legalities of your case. Verify through the agency which Third World countries allow for adoption and the country's adoption success rates (for example, according to the U.S. Department of State, countries like China and Russia have high success rates for adoptions).
Step 2
Determine your eligibility through the use of your adoption attorney. Your attorney must apply on your behalf to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to determine your eligibility in this country as well as your child's country of birth. The wait time in determining your eligibility varies for different countries.
Step 3
Arrange to meet with your child. Once you are determined eligible for adoption, the agency will provide you with a referral to a child. It is usually during this time that the agency will arrange for you to meet with your child in his country of birth to interact and to take care of any legalities in that country.
Step 4
Apply for your child to be brought to her new home. After you finalize the adoption and are granted legal custody, your attorney must apply on your behalf to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and also The Department of Homeland Security for permission to bring your child home.
Step 5
Obtain a birth certificate, passport (from your child's country), and U.S. Immigrant Visa for your child. You must go to the U.S. Embassy of the country in which your child was born for the Immigrant visa. The adoption agency can guide you through the process.
Tips and Warnings
- Remain patient. Depending on the country and other factors, adoption can take years to be finalized. Find a support group of parents who have also adopted children from your country of choice.
- Check that the adoption agency you choose to work with is reputable and properly accredited.
