International Adoption
Why do people choose to adopt children from another country?
Sometimes people choose to adopt internationally because there's a greater chance of getting a child who's younger. Sometimes, the wait can be shorter for international adoptions. The costs, though sometimes significant, can be well-defined. There's no concern about contact or intervention of a birth mother. Sometimes people adopt internationally because they see the need, and sometimes the need is much more readily apparent in other countries. You can see the thousands and thousands of children who may need good homes. I think that's a driving factor in a number of international adoptions.
What are the additional challenges to adopting an international child?
Some of the challenges to adopting an international child are the ongoing changes in international requirements. The countries themselves can set a number of requirements for adoptive parents and some of them can be very arbitrary. The requirements change all the time and it's difficult for people to determine what those are, and we cannot really have an impact on what they are. Obviously, an international adoption is going to require travel, which is going to require an output of funds. One of the other concerns in international adoption is the inability to obtain a substantial medical history on the child. It's often simply not in existence or not available, and that can pose problems down the line. Sometimes, there is a tremendous amount of paperwork involved with an international adoption. Some parents find that challenge a potential deterrent.
Does the U.S. have any special restrictions on international adoption?
The basic requirements for those who can adopt internationally are that you have to be over 25 years old, and at least one of the adopting parents has to be a U.S. citizen. In international adoptions, the child that you are adopting from another country, has to be under 18 years of age and considered an orphan.
Who can help me with an international adoption?
The best way to pursue international adoption is through an agency that specializes in international adoptions. That would be an adoption agency that is familiar with the rules that a particular country sets out for adoptive parents, that has staff that speaks the language, that is familiar with the country, and basically has experience in the particular rules and regulations governing international adoptions.
What should I know about international adoption?
The first step in pursuing international adoption is to determine which country you may be interested in and then what rules and regulations they have for the adoptive parents. Those change all the time, so it is important to research those and consult as to what those are with an international adoption agency. You should find out which countries have children available for adoption. You should find out what agencies specialize in that particular country, so you know you're getting the best assistance possible. You should look at what regulations your state has on international adoptions. You should also find out, when pursuing an international adoption, exactly how the various fees and expenses are going to be paid. Will they be paid in the country in which you're adopting? Will they be paid to an agency in the United States? They can range from $7,000-$30,000. There are a variety of ways those fees are paid and you should find out what they are before you begin the international adoption process.
