International Adoption?

dad2elizaveta

Start with researching international adoption agencies that operate in several countries such as EAC, CHI, Frank, Small World, Holt. Only then can you get the real information about each country you may be interested in. Fees vary by country and by agencies too. Policies, requirements, documentation, etc all vary between countries. There are just a few countries that allow single women to adopt and only 1 currently that allows single men to adopt. However, policies change and will certainly change in your 5-year timeframe.

My family began looking into domestic adoption through the Foster Care System, then switched to international adoption. We looked at 4 agencies and 3 countries in particular and decided upon Russia with an agency we just loved. I will leave that fact off this answer for now, but it in the above listing. We returned from Russia with our 6 year old daughter on December 17, 2006.

Look around at different agencies and at different countries. What worked best for my family may or may not work best for you. We had nothing but a 100% positive experience in our international adoption.

No matter what country you select; no matter what agency you select, you will need a home study completed by a licensed Social Worker, a passport, USCIS approval, and on and on. Fees range quite a bit between countries, between age ranges of children, and so do travel requirements.

As an example, Russia currently requires 2 trips to adopt. The first trip is a week or so and the second is between 5-15 days. Total costs are around $30,000. Not cheap!!! However, the federal government gives you $10,400 as a tax credit for a "special needs" adoption and international qualifies. Most states also offer tax credits as do some employers.

On a side note; there is currently a lot of press around Russia being closed for international adoptions to the US. This is not true. The fact is that there are currently no US agencies accredited to adopt in Russia. However, many are in the prcoess. Independant adoptions in Russia still occur. Soem agencies have better connections with particular regions in Russia and adoptions still happen.

guatemama

Go to precious.org this should get you started. It is where my husband and I started. It is a list of countries, agencies, ect. Once you narrow down the country you might be interested in you can see if you are eligible (age, marital status, ect.). Then contact an agency that works with THAT country. We used Celebrate Children International (CCI) and LOVED THEM. But I also know people that used Commonwealth, and WACAP and were very happy with them as well.

WARNING: get a box of kleenex, once you start looking at the kids and reading their stories you'll be stuck to the computer for a while with tears running down your cheeks.

chrylmichell

Check for a International agency in or around the city you live in. My neice is from China and they went thru International families in Missouri ( St.Louis). It is quite a process and I know at one time china would let single parents adopt. There a many things that factor into the cost. Home studies, police checks and the trip and donation to the orphange. Email me if you need more info

CaNdiâ™¥CaNe

it's harder to adopt if single and international adoption is Expensive cuz you have to fly them in and all that but good luck!!

want a princess baby

i have also been looking at international adoption.... and i feel ur pain... it is so confusing all the numbers and things..... i recently got in contact with

www.celebratechildren.org

The first step is having a home study done, but a home study agency or social worker in your state. The second step is to file the I 600a form with USCIS

photolisting@adoption.com

i found this website to have some of the best answers that i was looking for.... it had costs and prices and expenses listed..... we were looking in Latin America... we emailed about a child inquisition and got an email response that day.... good luck to u... i hope it all works out for u â™¥

BPD Wife

The cost for international adoption varies depending on the country and how much travel is involved or required. Some countries require you to stay in the country for a certain amount of time prior to the adoption, others bring the child to the US for you.

My best suggestion would be to contact a local agency who specializes in international adoption. They sometimes will also sponsor "international nights" where you can find info on several countries at one sitting. They will be best versed in discussing the options with you and fees, etc.

Adoption is a journey full of ups & downs, but it is worth it all when you hold your little baby! Good luck to you!

DuneFL

Right now, Vietnam is the best bet for singles. The wait is getting longer because of the new rules in China that no longer allows singles. You can expect an IA to run you close to 20,000 including EVERYTHING, travel, etc.....however, the U.S. gov't gives you a 10,000 dollar break on your taxes the year the adoption is final. The 20,000 is not that bad because it's not all at once..it's a fee here, a fee there......a home equity line of credit is one option for funding it. Many people are switching to Ethiopia from Russia, Guatemala and China because of recent changes, riskiness, etc. My BEST advice is go with a VERY reputable agency (call the better business bureau) that does MULTIPLE countries......that way if one country closes (or changes their laws), you can stay with the same agency and switch contries if you need to.

nsanders522

www.adoption.com
www.adopting.org
www.adoptuskids.com

Kim_T

There is a Yahoo group call Single-Adopt-China you might want to join. The group is primarily adoptive singles with Chinese children or waiting for their referral of a Chinese child but since China has now closed it's doors to singles there is a lot of discussion of other countires, pro's and cons.

It seems a lot of singles are leaning towards VietNam, and Ethiopia at this point. Both countries are single friendly. I have also heard rumors that India is becoming more open to singles as well. In the past they were not so open and single women were offered older children or children with handicaps. Nepal is a good choice as well but adopters must be open to children of either gender. If you have a daughter or son, you will get a referral for a child of the opposite gender.

Check it out and see what you think. I am sure you will find a lot of options with that group.

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