Cost of international adoption: $25k - $40k
Agencies I can personally recommend:
- Children's House International - www.chiadopt.org (our placing agency)
- Lifeline Child Services - www.lifelinechild.org (our home study agency)
Average International Adoption time frame:
- For a special needs adoption you can expect the process to take 12-24 months depending on the country and if you have pre-identified your child.
- For the adoption of a "healthy child" you can expect the process to take 18 months to 3 years.
- **Keep in mind that even healthy children who have grown up in an institution or orphanage have baggage they bring with them. While there may be no medical issues, there will likely still be emotional barriers to overcome. Be prepared so this does not catch you off guard.
What does the "average" adoption process look like? (This is for Hague Convention countries. Non-hague country processes can vary greatly.)
- Make the decision to adopt. Decide on a country and agency.
- Begin homestudy. Be sure to complete background checks for every state you've lived in since you were 18 (if you are adopting from a Hague country).
- Get your FBI background check complete and apostilled (this must be federally apostilled, not state apostilled.)
- After homestudy is complete file your I800-A.
- Compile your dossier and get everything apostilled by your state. (Birth certificates must be apostilled in the state they were issued, as well as marriage and divorce licenses.)
- Send your apostilled dossier to your agency who will send it to your adopting country.
- Wait for referral.
- In some countries, take a visit trip after the referral has been issued.
- After the referral is accepted, file your I800.
- I800 approval is sent to your adopting country and the Article 5 is issued.
- Wait for Article 5 approval and court date.
- Travel to pick up your child!
- Complete all post adoption requirements.
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