International Adoptions

One of several ways to go about the adoption process, international adoptions are a great way to help your family grow. It may not always be a simple process, but when you adopt a child you are giving him or her one of the greatest gifts you can give: the gift of a loving family. For most international adoptions, the adoption process is finalized in the country where the adoption takes place—by the time you are back to your country of origin the child you bring with you is already legally your child. And while not all countries are willing to work with foreigners to help them adopt children from that country, there are still a number of countries that are open to international adoptions. Choosing a country that is open to international adoptions is the first step to completing the international adoption process.

For international adoptions, there are a few items that you need to consider. These items include a child’s age, gender, race, and any medical needs that he or she has. Beyond these basic considerations, however, you should also consult an adoption professional who will have the knowledge and training it takes to help guide you through another country’s adoption process.

In most cases, international adoptions are more structured than are adoptions done domestically. It is also a comfort for many adoptive parents that there is a low risk of a biological parent trying to get custody of an adopted child when the adoption is completed internationally. Right now, international adoptions are most easily completed in Guatemala, China, Russia, Ethiopia, Haiti, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Liberia, Colombia, India, and Vietnam.

Related Information

Child Adoption
Do I understand the different types of child adoption?

International Adoptions
For international adoptions, there are a few items that you need to consider.