International Adoption : Select an Agency, Eligibility Requirements

by Child Welfare Information Gateway

(Page 2 of 4)

STEP 3: Select an Agency

What You Should Know

Requirements of individual countries will determine whether you will need to work through a licensed, accredited adoption agency or if you may work with an adoption lawyer. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends that families work with a reputable private adoption agency licensed by the State in which it is located and experienced in intercountry adoption. Nonagency intercountry adoptions are rarely regulated and may pose additional risks.

Take time to research and carefully select your adoption agency. An experienced, reputable adoption agency should be willing to walk you through the adoption process, help you prepare to become adoptive parents (through educational classes on parenting and adoption issues or referrals to such programs), contact USCIS about immigration regulations and forms, help you handle problems along the way, and provide support after you bring your child home. Before deciding on a particular agency, attend information sessions or orientations and ask questions about the services the agency provides. Reputable adoption agencies will answer your questions openly. These initial sessions are usually free. Visiting several different agencies may help you find the one that best meets your needs.

Questions to ask adoption agencies:

• By which State is the agency licensed? Is the license in good standing?
• How long has the agency been involved in intercountry adoption?
• In which countries does the agency have intercountry adoption programs? How long have they had programs in those countries?
• How many children has the agency placed?
• What are the agency's minimum requirements for prospective parents?
• How does the agency prepare parents for an intercountry adoption?
• Does the adoption agency have its own overseas staff or use the services of facilitators or lawyers?
• How do agency contacts (such as facilitators or lawyers) working in other countries identify children available for adoption?
• What are the agency's fees? (Ask for a detailed list of expenses and schedule for payment.)
• What, if any, is the refund policy if an adoption falls through?
• What services does the agency provide after your child comes home? How long are they available?

STEP 4: Meet Eligibility Requirements for Your Family

What You Should Know

Regardless of the country and agency you select, all prospective adoptive parents must complete a home study, submit paperwork to start the USCIS process, and put together a dossier with your family's personal records.

Complete the home study process. The home study process involves a series of interviews with a social worker to help assess your family's capacity to provide a safe, loving environment for a child. (Typically, at least one of these interviews will take place in your home.) The home study process is also designed to help your family think through how the characteristics of the child you are seeking to adopt will be a fit for your family, your support network, and your community. A home study report (reviewed and approved by a licensed agency) must be submitted to USCIS.

Start the USCIS process. All prospective adoptive parents must meet USCIS eligibility requirements in order to adopt a child from another country. The USCIS application process involves two steps. The first step is designed to document your family's capacity to provide a safe, loving home for a child. The second step, which usually comes later in the adoption process, makes sure your child can be defined as an orphan as described in the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act . (See Step 5.)

The USCIS process usually starts when you submit Form I-600A: Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition, with supporting documents and filing fees. This form helps USCIS determine that your family is eligible to adopt. Filing Form I-600A is not required but is recommended by USCIS to speed up the adoption process later on. You can submit Form I-600A even before you have selected a country or agency. However, it is valid for only 18 months after it is approved by USCIS, so you may not want to submit it too early. After receiving your application, USCIS staff will schedule an appointment for all adults aged 18 and over in your household to be fingerprinted. Fingerprint reports are valid for 15 months and must be current when your child is placed in your home.

Gather documents for your dossier. A dossier is the packet of documents your family will have translated for those involved in the adoption in your child's country of origin. The sending country will use the documents in your dossier to identify a specific child whose needs your family can best meet. Required documents vary depending on the country but generally consist of official records that prove your identity, finances, health, and good character. Typically, these documents include birth certificates, marriage licenses (if applicable), financial statements, proof of employment, criminal and child abuse clearances, health statements, and personal references. Some of this information also will be included in your home study. Most agencies require you to provide multiple copies of the signed and notarized documents. In addition, some countries will require authenticated translations of the documents. The U.S. Department of State website provides information on how to have a document authenticated.

About the Author

www.childwelfare.gov
Formerly the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information and the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse, Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families. A service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.