Adopting a baby from another country?

tim

My wife and I are currently awaiting a referal from China. We are excited about the prospect. We have a number of reasons for choosing to adopt from China, and do not regret the decision at all.
Every country has different rules, procedures, costs, etc.
China, for example, is relativley inexpensive. It is the most common country from which children are adoped internationally. The wait for a healthy baby stretches up to three years. Other countries are faster.
Many eastern european countries have active internation adoption programs; russia, ukraine, etc
Most countries will have stipulations about the adoptive parents' ages, income, health, marital status, etc.
If you're willing to adopt an older child, or a child with special needs, it can also be faster. However, be very sure that your family is up to the challenge: do not adopt a special needs child simply because its faster - you'll regret that forever.
My advice would be to find a local agency that works with several countries.

as for why do we go elsewhere when there are babies here--
Well it's not that simple. Domestic adoptions can take a few months or take many years. It can cost extreme amounts of money (or very little). Most domestic adoptions are open or semi open (where the adoptive parents are obligated to have some degree of contact with the birth mother for the life of the child). Not everybody is prepared for an open adoption. Domestic adoptions can fall through very easily; in most states the birthmother has several days to change her mind and take the baby back, leaving the adoptive parents to start over. There are a lot of variables to consider. Frankly, race is one of them to many parents (healthy non-black infants are not typically waiting to be placed)

Please check out the web site www.informedadoptions.com
It was created by and for international adoptive parents.

They have alot of very useful information in making an informed decision on adoption.

I'll probably get thumbed down for this, like I was before, but I have to ask people why would you want to adopt from another country when there are so many kids that need parents here? I was one of those kids. Is/was there something wrong with us? I just don't get it. You can't change the world until you start at your own backdoor. Now you may thumb me down...

God Saves!

Rwanda just opened international adoption and they have thousands of kids who's parents were killed in the genocide of the 80's
Rwandan Orphanage
http://www.victorychildrenshomes.com/Rwanda.html
Adoption Contacts
http://www.victorychildrenshomes.com/contactus.html
Pictures
http://www.victorychildrenshomes.com/rwandagallery/index.html
http://www.victorychildrenshomes.com/gallery.htm
We adopted my brothers from this orphanage. Pascal Bahizi and Pastor Claude

Jennifer L

There is a great book out called How to Adopt Internationally, which details the process (for US parents) from start to finish including which immigration forms you need when, how to fill them out, etc. They update the book every so often so make sure you get the most recent edition. There is also a section with country program-specfic information, requirements and processes.

We kept our book in hand through the entire process. It's daunting, but not impossible. Just do your research thoroughly! There are a lot of ethical agencies out there, but there are a lot of bad ones too. Know how the process in-country is supposed to work, then compare it against what the agency is telling you.

Feel free to email me if you've got specific questions.
Good luck

PAIGE

My aunt adopted a girl from China. She is the cutest kid that I have ever seen. Seriously. She's GORGEOUS. If you adopt a baby from China, you will most likely get a girl. Mostly beacuse the people are only allowed one kid, and they want a boy to take care of them when they are old and to carry on the family name and stuff. Girls would just take care of her husband's parents.
My cousin was adopted from Guanzhou and she was found crying wrapped in a paper bag in an alley next to a train station. I suggest China.

Ava

My sister adopted a baby from taiwan and had a wonderful experience with it! He is such a sweet little baby!!

surfnerd

adios

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