Every year, Americans adopt thousands of children from foreign countries, according to the U.S. Department of State. Like domestic adoption, foreign adoption comes with its own set of rules, requirements and concerns specific to the countries involved. An accredited adoption agency can help you decide which country is right for your family and explain the procedures, fees and legalities involved.
History
In 2008, the United States and more than 75 other countries joined the Hague Inter-Country Adoption Convention, which established a set of standards, procedures and safe practices for members to follow when handling inter-country adoptions. These countries are committed to working with approved and accredited adoption agencies and other adoption service providers who are in compliance with Hague Convention rules for foreign adoption.
Features
Every country has its own laws regarding children who are qualified for foreign adoption and foreigners who are qualified to adopt children from that country. In addition, under U.S. law, a child must meet an established definition of an orphaned or abandoned child and the requirements of an individual eligible for immigration to the U.S. The reasons a child becomes available for international adoption include death of the birth parents, poverty, abandonment by the birth parents and family problems such as alcoholism or drug abuse.
Time Frame
A foreign adoption can take one year to several years for completion, depending on the country involved. Initially, the time is spent gathering and filling out paperwork, being interviewed by social workers and case workers, and waiting for completion and approval of your dossier (collection of documents) so it can be sent to the foreign country. Once the approval process is completed to the satisfaction of the adoption agency and the U.S. government, the remaining waiting time depends on the bureaucratic procedures and steps taken by the foreign country.
Considerations
In some countries, babies as young as three or four months are available for adoption. In other countries, only toddlers and older children are available. Your child may have developmental delays as a result of being institutionalized but will mostly likely catch up, with individual attention. It is likely that you will have to travel to another country to complete a foreign adoption and in some cases, you might be required to visit the other country more than once. You may or may not receive medical records or information about your child's birth family.
Warning
International adoption rules and requirements can change at any time so it is important to have the most up-to-date information regarding adoption in the country of your choice and to be open-minded about adopting from other countries in addition to your first choice. To avoid involvement in any illegal or unethical adoption activities or scams, be sure to use a reputable adoption agency to facilitate a foreign adoption.
