The U.S. State Department recorded 12,753 adoptions to the United States from other countries in 2009, down from a high of 25,000 in 2004. Prospective parents in the United States and other industrialized nations choose foreign adoption for many reasons, including the availability of children, more lenient requirements for prospective parents and an affinity for another culture.
Fewer Parental Restrictions
Many domestic U.S. agencies and expectant parents prefer that adoptive parents be younger and married, and single parents or parents in their 40s or older may find it difficult to adopt a child, especially an infant. Some foreign countries accept older parents and may be more open to single parents adopting infants.
Availability of Children
Developing countries often have a large pool of children available for adoption: babies, toddlers and older children, both healthy and special needs. Most countries and agencies allow prospective parents to request a child of a specific age, and some allow the parents-to-be to specify whether they prefer a boy or a girl.
Predictable Results
Once you meet the approval of your agency and submit the paperwork required by the two governments involved, you will almost certainly be matched with a child. The adoption agency also will typically give you a pretty accurate estimate of how long it will take after submitting your paperwork before you are matched with a child, and how long after that you will travel to get your child. The average time frame for an international adoption is 8 to 12 months.
Loss of Culture
Foreign adoption does have its drawbacks. Your child is losing not only her first family, but her culture and language. For older children especially, this can lead to significant grief and identity issues. Your child may feel isolated if you are not of the same race and culture and you live in a community with few residents of her racial or cultural background.
No Newborns
Because of the amount of time it takes the paperwork to go through, your infant will most likely be at least a few months old before you can welcome him into the family.
Lack of Info
You will most likely receive only sketchy or no information about the child's birth family, only a basic medical history for the child, and very little, if any, information about the birth family's medical history.
Warning
Fraudulent and unethical practices such as baby buying, kidnapping, falsified paperwork and excessive fees have plagued adoption in many countries. To minimize the risk of fraud, work with a country that is a party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, and an agency that is accredited to work in that country. Beware of any agency or facilitator that promises to reduce waiting times or costs significantly or claims to know a way around or a shortcut to the usual procedures.
