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Intercountry Adoption : Where Do I Start?
Factsheet for Families

Author(s):  Child Welfare Information Gateway

Year Published:  2006

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You are in section: Table of Contents Step 1: Decide if Intercountry Adoption… Step 2: Select a Country Step 3: Select an Agency Step 4: Meet Eligibility Requirements for… Step 5: Make Sure Your Child Meets… Step 6: Bring Your Child Home Step 7: Fulfill Remaining Immigration… Step 8: Begin Your Life as a New Family Resources

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STEP 3: Select an Agency

What You Should Know

Requirements of individual countries will determine whether you will need to work through a licensed, accredited adoption agency or if you may work with an adoption lawyer. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends that families work with a reputable private adoption agency licensed by the State in which it is located and experienced in intercountry adoption. Nonagency intercountry adoptions are rarely regulated and may pose additional risks. To help you determine whether an adoption agency is reputable, see the tips in How to Assess the Reputation of Licensed, Private Adoption Agencies on the Information Gateway website.

Take time to research and carefully select your adoption agency. An experienced, reputable adoption agency should be willing to walk you through the adoption process, help you prepare to become adoptive parents (through educational classes on parenting and adoption issues or referrals to such programs), contact USCIS about immigration regulations and forms, help you handle problems along the way, and provide support after you bring your child home. Before deciding on a particular agency, attend information sessions or orientations and ask questions about the services the agency provides. Reputable adoption agencies will answer your questions openly. These initial sessions are usually free. Visiting several different agencies may help you find the one that best meets your needs.

Questions to ask adoption agencies:

• By which State is the agency licensed? Is the license in good standing?
• How long has the agency been involved in intercountry adoption?
• In which countries does the agency have intercountry adoption programs? How long have they had programs in those countries?
• How many children has the agency placed?
• What are the agency's minimum requirements for prospective parents?
• How does the agency prepare parents for an intercountry adoption?
• Does the adoption agency have its own overseas staff or use the services of facilitators or lawyers?
• How do agency contacts (such as facilitators or lawyers) working in other countries identify children available for adoption?
• What are the agency's fees? (Ask for a detailed list of expenses and schedule for payment.)
• What, if any, is the refund policy if an adoption falls through?
• What services does the agency provide after your child comes home? How long are they available?

Find more questions to ask in "What to Ask Before Choosing an Adoption Agency" from Adoptive Families magazine.

Some Places to Go

Search by country for licensed private adoption agencies in U.S. Adoption Agencies That Place Children From Abroad on the Information Gateway website.

Some countries allow only agencies that are accredited with the country's government to place children internationally. The U.S. Department of State's Country-Specific Adoption Fliers provide information on countries with such requirements.

The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption will affect the accreditation of adoption agencies in the United States. For more information on the Hague Convention, see the U.S. Department of State website.

previous

You are in section: Table of Contents Step 1: Decide if Intercountry Adoption… Step 2: Select a Country Step 3: Select an Agency Step 4: Meet Eligibility Requirements for… Step 5: Make Sure Your Child Meets… Step 6: Bring Your Child Home Step 7: Fulfill Remaining Immigration… Step 8: Begin Your Life as a New Family Resources

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This material may be freely reproduced and distributed. However, when doing so, please credit Child Welfare Information Gateway.

Updated on December 10, 2007