International Adoption

1. Explore adoption options

Read books and magazines about adoption. Check local bookstores, the library, and the Helpful Links section of this site.
Determine how much you’re willing to spend on the adoption process (see cost guidelines for each type of adoption)
Consider how long you’re willing to wait to adopt (see timelines for each type of adoption)

2. Select an agency

Contact several agencies and ask about:

- The countries with which they work

- How they assess and prepare families

- How long their adoption process will take

Request references for other families who have used the agencies and call them
Make sure the agencies are licensed to provide adoption services in your state

3. Complete a home study

The home study serves three primary purposes:

- To educate you and prepare you to adopt

- To gather information about you

- To evaluate your stability as an adoptive family

The home study involves a series of meetings with an agency social worker. At least one meeting will be at your home.
You will need several documents to complete the home study, including:

- Birth certificate

- Marriage license

- Child abuse clearance

- Personal references

The home study takes two to three months to complete, on average. You can speed the process up by filling out the paperwork, getting documents, and scheduling medical appointments early in the process.
See children who need adoptive families in our Adoption Photo Album.

4. Information exchange

Your agency will send your completed home study and supporting documentation to the placement agency you’ve chosen.

5. The referral

An International adoption agency will refer a child or children and provide photos and/or videos and medical information. We recommend that you have a medical professional review all information before committing to adopt a child. (see our referral list for physicians who have experience in reviewing international medical documents)
International agencies refer children to only one family at a time.

6. Initial meeting and visitation

Some international agencies require prospective parents to travel abroad to meet the child, and then return a second time to take custody. Check with your placement agency for details.

7. Placement

Placement occurs either in the U.S. or in the child’s birth country.
The placement agency usually retains legal custody of the child until the adoption is finalized.

8. Finalization

Finalization may take place in the child’s birth country before you return home with your child.
If the placing agency escorts the child to the U.S., finalization takes place in the U.S.
Some attorneys recommend that adoptions finalized in foreign countries be refinalized in the U.S. (see Domestic Adoption Finalization)

9. Life as an adoptive family

Adoption doesn’t end after finalization. You will continue to learn about adoptive parenting.
Call on Adoption Resource Network whenever you need information and support.




		1. Explore adoption options Read books and magazines about adoption. Check local bookstores, the library, and the Helpful Links section of this site. Determine how much you’re willing to spend on the adoption process (see cost guidelines for each type of adoption) Consider how long you’re willing to wait to adopt (see timelines for each type of adoption) 2. Select an agency Contact several agencies and ask about: - The countries with which they work - How they assess and prepare families - How long their adoption process will take Request references for other families who have used the agencies and call them Make sure the agencies are licensed to provide adoption services in your state 3. Complete a home study The home study serves three primary purposes: - To educate you and prepare you to adopt - To gather information about you - To evaluate your stability as an adoptive family The home study involves a series of meetings with an agency social worker. At least one meeting will be at your home. You will need several documents to complete the home study, including: - Birth certificate - Marriage license - Child abuse clearance - Personal references The home study takes two to three months to complete, on average. You can speed the process up by filling out the paperwork, getting documents, and scheduling medical appointments early in the process. See children who need adoptive families in our Adoption Photo Album. 4. Information exchange Your agency will send your completed home study and supporting documentation to the placement agency you’ve chosen. 5. The referral An International adoption agency will refer a child or children and provide photos and/or videos and medical information. We recommend that you have a medical professional review all information before committing to adopt a child. (see our referral list for physicians who have experience in reviewing international medical documents) International agencies refer children to only one family at a time. 6. Initial meeting and visitation Some international agencies require prospective parents to travel abroad to meet the child, and then return a second time to take custody. Check with your placement agency for details. 7. Placement Placement occurs either in the U.S. or in the child’s birth country. The placement agency usually retains legal custody of the child until the adoption is finalized. 8. Finalization Finalization may take place in the child’s birth country before you return home with your child. If the placing agency escorts the child to the U.S., finalization takes place in the U.S. Some attorneys recommend that adoptions finalized in foreign countries be refinalized in the U.S. (see Domestic Adoption Finalization) 9. Life as an adoptive family Adoption doesn’t end after finalization. You will continue to learn about adoptive parenting. Call on Adoption Resource Network whenever you need information and support.