International Adoption

Definition

In waiting child adoption, a child whose parental rights have been terminated is placed in a foster home and becomes “freed for adoption.” Waiting child adoptions can be coordinated by a private or public social service agency. Children are often adopted by their foster parents.

Key Considerations

In waiting child adoption, fees often are kept to a minimum or even waived so that final costs to parents are negligible.
Most fees are one-time expenses and are reimbursable through the Department of Human Services.
Foster parenting gives families a chance to get to know and bond with the child before adoption.

Waiting time

Waiting time from application to placement of a child is often significantly less than in domestic infant or international adoption.

Costs

Costs for waiting child adoption range from $0 to $2,500, including attorney's fees and travel expenses. Most expenses are reimbursable.
Fees often are kept to a minimum or even waived, so that final costs to parents are negligible.
In most cases, the child may be eligible for government subsidy payments (often called adoption assistance), Supplemental Security Income, or Medicaid coverage. Costs are reimbursable.

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

See children who need adoptive families in our Adoption Photo Album.




		Definition In waiting child adoption, a child whose parental rights have been terminated is placed in a foster home and becomes “freed for adoption.” Waiting child adoptions can be coordinated by a private or public social service agency. Children are often adopted by their foster parents. Key Considerations In waiting child adoption, fees often are kept to a minimum or even waived so that final costs to parents are negligible. Most fees are one-time expenses and are reimbursable through the Department of Human Services. Foster parenting gives families a chance to get to know and bond with the child before adoption. Waiting time Waiting time from application to placement of a child is often significantly less than in domestic infant or international adoption. Costs Costs for waiting child adoption range from $0 to $2,500, including attorney's fees and travel expenses. Most expenses are reimbursable. Fees often are kept to a minimum or even waived, so that final costs to parents are negligible. In most cases, the child may be eligible for government subsidy payments (often called adoption assistance), Supplemental Security Income, or Medicaid coverage. Costs are reimbursable. For more information on adoption costs, see Costs of Adopting: A Fact sheet for Families See children who need adoptive families in our Adoption Photo Album.