International Adoption

Key Considerations

Birthparent involvement is less likely in an international adoption. In order for children to achieve orphan status and be eligible for adoption in many countries, the birthparents must have died or abandoned them.
When adopted children reach adulthood, the search for their birth families can be more difficult and, in many cases, impossible.
Strict immigration requirements apply to adoption of children from other countries.
It is important to choose a licensed, knowledgeable agency for international adoptions because the process is often lengthy and complex.
You must have respect for the country and culture. Considerations include naming your child, incorporating the culture and country of origin family into your family life, becoming educated and developing a sensitivity to child’s world, interracial marriage, accepting differences, and your family’s new status as a transracial and transcultural family.
Common concerns in international adoption include health problems, obtaining the child’s accurate medical history, the impact of orphanage life, language challenges, and developmental issues.

Waiting time

Depending on the country of origin and the agency, the waiting time for an infant or younger child is generally more predictable than in domestic infant adoption.

Costs

International adoption costs range from $15,000 to $40,000.
Expenses include agency fees, transportation, legal, and medical costs. Fees also generally include the home study, pre-adoptive training, dossier, immigration processing, and court costs. In some cases, a donation to the foreign orphanage or agency may be required.
Overall costs may be affected by the type of agency placing the child (e.g., government agency, government orphanage, charitable foundation, attorney, facilitator, or some combination thereof). Many international adoption agencies offer a sliding fee scale.
In some countries an adoption tax credits applies.
There may be additional fees, such as:

- Child foster care (usually in South and Central American adoptions)

- Parents' travel and in-country stay(s) to process the adoption abroad

- Escorting fees when parents do not travel but instead hire escorts to accompany the child on the flight

- Child's medical care and treatment (occasionally in South and Central America)

- Translation fees

- Foreign attorney fees

- Foreign agency fees

- Passport fees

- Visa processing fees and costs of visa medical examination

For more information on adoption costs, see Costs of Adopting: A Fact sheet for Families




		Key Considerations Birthparent involvement is less likely in an international adoption. In order for children to achieve orphan status and be eligible for adoption in many countries, the birthparents must have died or abandoned them. When adopted children reach adulthood, the search for their birth families can be more difficult and, in many cases, impossible. Strict immigration requirements apply to adoption of children from other countries. It is important to choose a licensed, knowledgeable agency for international adoptions because the process is often lengthy and complex. You must have respect for the country and culture. Considerations include naming your child, incorporating the culture and country of origin family into your family life, becoming educated and developing a sensitivity to child’s world, interracial marriage, accepting differences, and your family’s new status as a transracial and transcultural family. Common concerns in international adoption include health problems, obtaining the child’s accurate medical history, the impact of orphanage life, language challenges, and developmental issues. Waiting time Depending on the country of origin and the agency, the waiting time for an infant or younger child is generally more predictable than in domestic infant adoption. Costs International adoption costs range from $15,000 to $40,000. Expenses include agency fees, transportation, legal, and medical costs. Fees also generally include the home study, pre-adoptive training, dossier, immigration processing, and court costs. In some cases, a donation to the foreign orphanage or agency may be required. Overall costs may be affected by the type of agency placing the child (e.g., government agency, government orphanage, charitable foundation, attorney, facilitator, or some combination thereof). Many international adoption agencies offer a sliding fee scale. In some countries an adoption tax credits applies. There may be additional fees, such as: - Child foster care (usually in South and Central American adoptions) - Parents' travel and in-country stay(s) to process the adoption abroad - Escorting fees when parents do not travel but instead hire escorts to accompany the child on the flight - Child's medical care and treatment (occasionally in South and Central America) - Translation fees - Foreign attorney fees - Foreign agency fees - Passport fees - Visa processing fees and costs of visa medical examination For more information on adoption costs, see Costs of Adopting: A Fact sheet for Families