Adopting a Child from Abroad: The Basics
- In This Quick Guide:
- Arranging an International Adoption
- Finding Your Child
- Making Your Child Comfortable
It’s tough enough to actually decide that you want to adopt a child—but it can be even tougher if you want to adopt a child from overseas, especially if you aren’t prepared for most contingencies. In this guide, you will learn how to prepare yourself for an international adoption.
Arranging an International Adoption
Americans wanting to adopt children from other countries must comply with the rules of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which has requirements for adoptive parents and also for the children they adopt. The set of documents that is required varies from country to country.
If you want to adopt a child from another country, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requires the following:
- A preplacement home study (somewhat comparable to a background investigation) to be done by a licensed adoption agency (whether your state law requires one or not).
- Your dossier, which is a set of documents, including your birth certificate, marriage certificate, and other documents, depending on the country.
- Your fingerprints.
- Proof of citizenship. If you’re married, either you or your spouse must be a U.S. citizen in order to adopt a child from another country. If you’re not married, then you must be a U.S. citizen to adopt.
- Copies of your income tax statements.
- Your signature on a statement of financial responsibility, stating that should the child have to enter the foster care system, you will reimburse the state or county.
- A completed application for an orphan visa, the document that will enable your child to enter the United States.
Finding Your Child
Although a home study by an adoption agency is mandatory when adopting internationally, some families choose to do some of the legwork of actually finding a child themselves. However, this is an extremely risky proposition, especially with implementation of the Hague Convention adoption requirements, which can be quite complex. Agencies understand what needs to be done, but few individuals can wade their way through the morass of rules and regulations. Except in very rare cases, it’s best to leave it up to the experts.
When an agency does find a potential child for you, obtain as much background information as you can. Here are some questions to ask:
- How much time has the child spent in the orphanage? (The longer, the worse.)
- What is the child’s birth history, including birth weight, head size, length of pregnancy, and any birth complications?
- How has the child’s development been, particularly speech and language? Does the child hear? See? Does she interact with other children and the caregivers?
- How does the child compare to other children of the same age?
- Does the child have any medical problems or allergies? Has she had any surgeries or been on any medications? Has there been any history of hospitalization?
- Is a videotape of the child available? Can you receive this tape along with medical records?
- Why is the child available for adoption? Were the parental rights terminated voluntarily or involuntarily?
- Is there any history of mental illness or physical illness in family members?
- Does the child have any siblings? If so, where are they?
When a child is assigned to you, contact the State Department to request a visa for the child. Of course, you should have your own passport ready as well. Don’t wait until the last minute to apply for your passport!
Whenever possible, travel with other couples or singles who are also adopting. You may find each other’s help invaluable! Also, contact other couples who have traveled recently. Find out whether there are any travel services they used that were particularly helpful—or that should be avoided. Get the latest information you can find.
Before you leave, be sure to find out whether any shots are a good idea. Often you may need injections for tetanus and hepatitis A and B. You might also need shots for cholera or other diseases. Anyone who accompanies you should be injected as well; for example, excited grandparents who will be traveling with you should definitely get their shots, too. Other household members should consider being immunized for hepatitis B, in case the child turns out to be a hepatitis carrier. (Hepatitis is contagious by blood and body fluids.)
Bring any medications you need and bring at least an extra week’s supply in case you are delayed. Be sure to bring clothes for the child, and if she’s an infant or toddler, bring bottles and diapers!
Making Your Child Comfortable
What can you do to help your child make the transition to your culture and your life easier? Here are a few suggestions:
- If the child is an infant on formula, buy a few cans or a case of formula in the other country. Gradually switch over to U.S. formula by mixing the foreign formula and U.S. formula ½ and ½ for a few weeks, as an addition to other foods you provide. Don’t be in a hurry to wean your baby off the bottle. It may be a source of comfort to her.
- If she’s an older child, try to get a few recipes from the child’s culture. But do not continue an inadequate diet! Just don’t rush the child off to the nearest fast food place when you get off the plane. She’ll have time for that later. Instead, keep it simple at first: rice, bread, noodles, cereal, and fruit are good choices.
- Don’t swamp the child with toys and gifts. He’s probably not used to it, and it could cause a “systems overload.” Start with one or two toys and introduce more toys gradually. Even if it’s Christmas!
- Give the child a chance to get used to your family and maybe the grandparents. Wait a few weeks before throwing a party. Household members need to be your new child’s main source of care and nurturing for a while after you bring her home.
- Find out what fabrics the child is used to wearing. If cotton, buy some cotton clothes. Ask the agency to ask the orphanage for this information.
- Learn some words from the other country, such as “Hello” and “I like you.” You don’t have to become an expert overnight. Children pick up language rapidly. But knowing some basic words in the beginning can help.
- Don’t force eye contact. Look at your child, but don’t move the baby or child’s head to look directly at you. That can be very stressful. Give him a chance to get used to you.
Adopting a child from overseas can be an incredibly rewarding experience, and with this information, a hopefully easy transition. Good luck!
From The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Adoption, Second Edition, by Christine Adamec
