MyFertilityGuide

When adopting internationally, United States citizens have two options:

• Agency Adoptions – Licensed private agencies here or in the country of choice
• Independent Adoptions – Either by yourself or through unlicensed adoption facilitators (allowed in some foreign countries) with the legal assistance from the country of choice.

Both options are not available in every country, so you may be limited by laws in the country where the child resides.

Choosing Between Agency International Adoption and Independent International Adoption

The largest consideration when deciding between international and independent international adoption is the risk factor. Licensed agencies are accountable and therefore have a greater chance of seeing the adoption through from start to finish. With independent adoptions, the responsibility to meet legal requirements is yours and the work to make everything go as it should is yours as well. Non-licensed facilitators not accountable and may or may not make ethical and legal choices.

Factors Affecting The Choice To Adopt Internationally

International adoption has a number of factors to consider in addition to the choice in adoption type. These include:

• Expenses
• Adoption laws in the child’s country of residence
• Federal adoption laws concerning the child’s country of residence
• State laws governing adoption
• Health status and special needs of the child
• Your personal ability to deal with the child’s cultural needs

Federal law mandates that if a couple is adopting internationally then at least one parent must be a legal citizen of the United States in order to bring a child back into the country as a citizen.

Benefits of International Adoption

• There is no wider selection of children from which to find your perfect match.
• Once the adoptive parents are approved via home study, an international adoption swiftly follows in most cases.
• The time frame for an international adoption is between one or two years on average, depending upon your preferences for the child’s age and gender.
• International children up for adoption must be orphans, so there is no possibility of issues with birth parents.
• Travel is involved and for most, this is a benefit.

Issues With International Adoption

• Travel is involved, which for some is an issue. It is possible to adopt from a few countries without traveling and other countries require only a brief one week stay.
• There is no such thing as international newborn adoption, though many infants under six months old may be up for adoption.
• The child’s family history and medical background may be nonexistent.
• Children in orphanages may suffer from institutionalization and developmental delays.
• The child may have significant health issues due to poor prenatal care.
• Seemingly endless paperwork is required.

Despite the possible issues with international adoption, many who have undertake it say they’ve never had a more rewarding experience and regard it as one of the best decisions they’ve ever made.