Many prospective adoptive families choose to adopt internationally. 

Intercountry adoption is the process by which you adopt a child, who is not a U.S citizen, from a country other than your own through permanent legal means and then bring that child to your country of residence to live with you permanently. This may be accomplished privately through an attorney or, most often, through an international adoption agency. It is possible to pursue an intercountry adoption without the assistance of an accredited agency in the United States but the process is not without complications.

There are very specific laws and regulations regarding international adoption which are set in place to prevent child trafficking and ensure the protection of each child from exploitation. Despite increased regulations, there are still instances of children becoming adopted when it is not a necessity or without their birth parents full understanding of the adoption process. One benefit to international adoption is that it can be more predictable and affordable than a domestic adoption depending on the specific program. However, many countries are closing their doors to international adoption and those that remain may be limited in terms of the families they will accept or the children who are able to be processed for adoption. In addition, it is more unlikely for a child who was adopted internationally to have access to explore their history and family of origin when adopted abroad. Still, with the proper information and preparation, international adoption can be an excellent way to meet the needs of a waiting child by providing a loving and secure family through adoption.

Costs of International Adoption

Depending on the country you’re adopting from, an international adoption will cost e between $30,000 and $50,000. This price tag comes from a variety of areas including agency fees, government fees, donations to the country/orphanage, travel costs, and legal fees. The reason that adoption is so expensive is that several costs are incurred along the way. The agency must cover its own expenses of staff and other overhead. These fees are part of the “country fee,” which often makes up the largest expense of an international adoption.

How Long Does it Take to Adopt Internationally?

Every country’s processing time varies. Some countries process an international adoption within three to six months while others can take years. The gender and age of a child may also play a significant role in wait time as there are more children with special needs and older children who need care.

What are the Requirements for International Adoption?

Prospective adoptive families and orphans must meet eligibility requirements of the country from which they are adopting, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and their respective state laws. One parent must be at least 25 years old to be accepted into an international adoption program.

What Countries Can American Citizens Adopt From?

The adoption status of other counties is constantly in flux. The US Department of State oversees all international adoptions and is the trusted source on a country’s adoption status. The DOS offers detailed information about the adoption process. On each country specific information page, they provide the name and contact details of the country’s adoption authority, describe the eligibility requirements for prospective adoptive parents to adopt and children to be adopted, and include the adoption statistics as well. You can also find country-specific Adoption Alerts and Notices with important updates to the adoption process in that country. Learn more about specific countries’ adoption processes by using the “Learn about a country” search box.

Here are some resources to get you started if you are thinking about private agency domestic adoption, working with an adoption attorney, or adopting internationally.